Global ETF News Older than One Year
STOXX: Europe's Economy Is "At The Crossroads Of Integration Or Fragmentation," Economist Tells Investment Forum In New York City
May 20, 2015--Europe's economy is strengthening and the region stands at the crossroads of integration or fragmentation," Bart van Ark, executive vice president, chief economist and chief strategy officer of The Conference Board told the Europe Investment Forum, hosted by STOXX Limited in New York City, today.
"Equity and bond markets in Europe are benefitting from the European Central Bank’s quantitative easing policy. The weaker euro is also a positive, but there is a limit to how much Europe can thrive on accelerated exports," Van Ark said.
Source: STOXX
Asset owner adoption of smart beta growing and broadening according to new FTSE Russell global survey
May 20, 2015--Over 70% of asset owners with smart beta allocation now combining
strategies
ETFs most preferred vehicle for tactical smart beta strategies
European asset owners continue to lead North America on adoption of smart
beta
FTSE Russell today confirmed that smart beta index adoption among institutional investors is growing and becoming more broad-based, according to its new global institutional market survey.
The FTSE Russell Smart Beta: 2015 Global Survey Findings from Asset Owners survey confirms a significantly increased interest in, and adoption of, multiple smart beta indexes among institutional asset owners around the world.
Source: FTSE
STOXX Ltd. Licenses EURO STOXX 50 To Japan's Nikko Asset Management For Passive Product
May 19, 2015--STOXX Limited, a leading provider of innovative, tradable and global index concepts, announced today that it has licensed its flagship EURO STOXX 50 Index to Nikko Asset Management, a Tokyo-based asset manager.
"This is our fourth license for a STOXX index in Japan in less than a year," said Hartmut Graf, chief executive officer, STOXX Limited. "We remain confident that global investors' increasing interest in European investment products means that demand for our European indices will continue to grow abroad, both in Asia and in North America. Europe as an exposure is interesting for investors right now, given the attractive valuations, the monetary policy scenario and the forex climate that benefits exports for Europe."
Source: STOXX
IMF-Caucasus, Central Asia Feel Impact of Adverse Shocks
May 19, 2015--Oil price drop, Russia's slowdown, appreciation of the dollar are taking a toll
Fiscal stimulus, exchange rate flexibility helping countries cope in near term
Deep structural and fiscal reforms are vital for creating jobs, reducing poverty
Growth in the Caucasus and Central Asia (CCA) is expected to decline by 2 percent this year as a result of lower commodity prices and the economic slowdown in Russia, says the latest regional forecast by IMF staff.
The Regional Economic Outlook Update for the Caucasus and Central Asia, released on May 19, predicts growth in the region will reach just over 3 percent this year. This latest forecast represents a downward revision of 2½ percentage points from the one released by the IMF in October 2014.
Source: IMF
Euronext and Shenzhen Stock Exchange Announce Partnership on Exchange Traded Funds and Indices
May 19, 2015--Euronext and the Shenzhen Stock Exchange (SZSE) today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to enhance the development of Exchange Traded Products (ETPs) in the Republic of China and the Euronext markets.
The MOU is the starting point for collaboration on joint development, research, marketing and specialized trading technology, as well as co-branding of indices and Exchange Traded Products.
Source: Euronext
Tackling the Challenge of Embedded Derivatives
May 19, 2015--White paper explores how to mitigate accounting risk and optimize working capital by automating identification and reporting of embedded derivatives
Fundtech, now a part of D+H, is a market leader in global transaction banking solutions and today released a white paper on the reemerging relevance of embedded derivatives, and how this corporate accounting burden can be transformed into a business benefit. Titled, "Tackling the Challenge of Embedded Derivatives," the white paper explains how automating receivables can simplify accounting for embedded derivatives, and ultimately mitigate accounting risk and optimize working capital.
Source: Fundtech
Islamic funds industry to grow to USD77b by 2019-TR report
May 19, 2015--Global Islamic funds under management expected to reach $77 billion by 2019
Demand for Islamic funds projected to reach $185 billion by 2019
Malaysia & Saudi Arabia hold 69% of total Islamic funds under management
Sukuks & equities are the most preferred asset types for investors & asset managers
Thomson Reuters, the world's leading source of intelligent information for businesses and professionals, today published the findings of its Global Islamic Asset Management Outlook at the World Islamic Funds Conference in Bahrain.
Source: Zawya
Investors Turn To Gold ETF Options As Hedges
May 19, 2015--Investors seeking to protect their portfolios against recent swings in currencies and government bonds are snapping up options on a gold exchange-traded fund.
The activity started back during the rout in government bonds, which sent German 10-year yields surging from record lows, and has continued as currencies continue to swing.
Source:Wall Street Journal
Bond Market Challenges Boost Demand for Fixed-Income ETFs
May 18, 2015--New Greenwich Report Shows Liquidity Losses and Other Structural Changes Increasing Institutional Use of Bond ETFs
A loss of liquidity in global fixed-income markets and a host of other challenges facing investors has set the stage for what could be significant increases in institutional use of bond ETFs, according to the results of a new study,
Bond Market Challenges Continue to Drive Demand for Fixed-Income ETFs, from Greenwich Associates.
Source: Greenwich Associates
WEF-The Role of Financial Services in Society: Statement in support of macroprudential policies
May 18, 2015--Fifteen CEOs, chairmen and senior executives of large financial institutions in Europe and North America have endorsed a "Statement in support of macro-prudential policies" designed to reduce systemic risk.
The statement was developed and published by the World Economic Forum as part of the Role of Financial Services in Society initiative, and discussed in detail with financial leaders in the private and public sectors during the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2015 in Davos-Klosters.
Source: WEF (World Economic Forum)
