The exchange traded fund business is picking up where it left off in 2011, ringing in the new year with a slew of new product launches.
With most pure beta ETF indexing strategies filled out, fund providers are looking to expand into niche areas and other corners of the market.
Earlier this month, BlackRock’s iShares launched three more ETFs that provide exposure to developed foreign equity markets, including the iShares MSCI World Index Fund (NYSEArca: URTH), iShares MSCI Hong Kong Small Cap Index Fund (NYSEArca: EWHS) and iShares MSCI Singapore Small Cap Index Fund (NYSEArca: EWSS). [iShares Launches Three New Developed Market ETFs]
Additionally, State Street Global Advisors offered up the SPDR S&P Small Cap Emerging Asia Pacific ETF (NYSEArca: GMFS), which has an expense ratio of 0.65%, Don Dion for TheStreet reports..
PowerShares, playing off the very successful PowerShares S&P 500 Low Volatility Portfolio (NYSEArca: SPLV), which garnered about $1 billion in less than a year, also launched two new low volatility funds, the PowerShares S&P Emerging Markets Low Volatility Portfolio (NYSEArca: EELV) and the PowerShares S&P International Developed Low Volatility Portfolio (NYSEArca: IDLV). [PowerShares Adds International Low-Volatility ETFs]
While trading in EELV and IDVL have been relatively light, they are decent plays to keep an eye on, Dion says. As investors return to international equities, the low volatility aspect could make these two funds an appealing buy for those wary of market swings.
AdvisorShares recently launched a long/short fund-of-funds ETF, the AdvisorShares Rockledge SectorSam ETF (NYSEArca: SSAM). [AdvisorShares Launches Active ETF]
ProShares issued long and short ETFs that try to provide exposure to the breakeven inflation level, the ProShares 30 Year TIPS/TSY Spread (NYSEArca: RINF) and ProShares Short 30 Year TIPS/TSY Spread (NYSEArca: FINF). [ProShares’ New Breakeven Inflation ETFs]
For more information on new ETF offerings, visit our new ETFs category.
Max Chen contributed to this article.