Invesco PowerShares plans to launch a new ETF this week that invests in global high-yield bonds with shorter maturities to protect against the risks of rising interest rates.
PowerShares Global Short Term High Yield Bond Portfolio (NYSEArca: PGHY) is expected to list on Thursday, June 20.
“Bonds with shorter maturities generally carry less duration risk than bonds with longer maturities. As such, they may help protect a portfolio against rising interest rates,” PowerShares said in an email Tuesday.
“While high-yield bonds generally carry higher credit risk, they also generally offer higher rates of income. Their higher coupons can also contribute to lower duration,” the ETF manager said.
PGHY will have an expense ratio of 0.35%. The ETF generally will invest at least 80% of its total assets in U.S. and foreign short-term, non-investment grade bonds included in the index, all of which are denominated in U.S. dollars, according to the prospectus.