Nomura lists new ETFs in Japan

• NEXT FUNDS Japan Bond NOMURA-BPI ETF (2510)
• NEXT FUNDS International Bond Citi WGBI ex Japan Unhedged ETF (2511)
• NEXT FUNDS International Bond Citi WGBI ex Japan Yen-Hedged ETF (2512)
• NEXT FUNDS International Equity MSCI-KOKUSAI Unhedged (2513)
• NEXT FUNDS International Equity MSCI-KOKUSAI Yen-Hedged (2514)
• NEXT FUNDS International REIT S&P Developed RE ex-JP Unhedged (2515)

As is often the case with new issues in Japan there is limited material about these funds in English at this stage. From what’s available, 2510, 2511 and 2512 track government bond indexes, which are hedged and unhedged into yen. 

2513 and 2514 track international equities through the MSCI World ex Japan Index (called Kokusai in Japan), the former of which is unhedged, the latter of which is hedged into yen. Both indexes capture large and mid cap companies across 22 rich countries (excluding Japan). This index is particularly heavy on US exposure, which accounts for almost two-thirds of the index. The index has over 1,330 constituents and covers most of the publicly listed companies in the rich world.

2515 will track real estate in rich countries through an S&P index. 

Canada

Horizons lists robotics ETF

Toronto-based Horizons ETF is listing an automation and robotics tracker, the Horizons Robotics and Automation Index ETF (ROBO). Like other products with the same ticker around the world (including ETF Securities in Australia and Exchange Traded Concepts in the US), ROBO will track the ROBO Global Robotics and Automation Index. The index is designed to provide exposure to the performance of equity securities of robotics-related and/or automation-related companies.

Mackenzie lists women’s rights ETF

In what seems to be a defining trend of ETF listings in 2017, Mackenzie Investments is listing a gender diversity ETF, the Mackenzie Global Leadership Impact ETF (MWMN). MWMN will invest primarily in companies that promote gender diversity and women's leadership around the world.

Mackenzie is the second issuer to list such an ETF in Canada in two months after Evolve listed a very similar product (HERS). Gender diversity ETFs appear to be gaining momentum elsewhere in the world this year, with listings also in Japan, the US, and France.

Germany

PowerShares to list smart beta ETFs in Germany

PowerShares will be listing a suite of smart beta ETFs in Germany next week, each of which will track European equities by factors. The listings are:

• PowerShares Tradable European Value Factor UCITS ETF (PFTV)
• PowerShares Tradable European Quality Factor UCITS ETF (PFTQ)
• PowerShares Tradable European Low Beta Factor UCITS ETF (PFTB)
• PowerShares Tradable European Price Momentum Factor UCITS ETF (PFTP)
• PowerShares Tradable Earnings Momentum Factor UCITS ETF (PFTE)

France and UK

First Trust lists actively managed currencies ETF in new currencies

First Trust is listings its First Trust FactorFX UCITS ETF (FXEU, FXGB) in euros and pounds in Paris and London respectively. At present, the fund is only available in London and in dollars (FTFX). FTFX invests in 20 currencies or more across developed and emerging markets. It aims to profit from interest rate differences in each currency (carry trade). The fund is actively managed to help deal with currency volatilities.

Italy

Franklin Templeton brings smart beta ETFs in Italy

US money manager Franklin Templeton is bringing its new smart beta ETFs over to Italy. They are:

• Franklin LibertyQ European Dividend UCITS ETF (FLXD)
• Franklin LibertyQ U.S. Equity UCITS ETF (FLXU)
• Franklin LibertyQ Global Equity SRI UCITS ETF (FLXG)
• Franklin LibertyQ Global Dividend UCITS ETF (FLXX)
• Franklin LibertyQ Emerging Markets UCITS ETF (FLXE)