ETF Odds & Ends: 2 Active ESG Funds Debut

Virtus Investment Partners added its 15th ETF to its roster with Wednesday’s launch of the actively managed Virtus Duff & Phelps Clean Energy ETF (VCLN).

The fund aims to invest in U.S. and foreign companies of at least $500 million in market capitalization that derive at least half their revenues from the direct production of clean energy, or the production of equipment that generates that energy. The definition of clean energy for the fund is determined by a subadvisor.

VCLN has an expense ratio of 0.59% until mid-July of next year before rising to 0.66%, and it trades on the NYSE Arca.

BlackRock followed suit on Thursday with the BlackRock Future Climate and Sustainable Economy ETF (BECO), an actively managed fund that invests in stocks of companies that seek to reduce carbon emissions in the broader economy.

Notably, the fund is seeking to produce a net lower environmental impact than the MSCI ACWI Multiple Industries Select Index as measured through an assessment, rather than seeking to specifically beat that index’s returns. BECO has an expense ratio of 0.70%, and trades on the NYSE Arca.

Other Changes

First Trust announced its intention to merge the First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Asia Pacific ETF (RFAP) into the RiverFront Dynamic Developed International ETF (RFDI) effective on Aug. 27. The move will bring the thinly traded RFAP’s $8.8 million in assets into the $170.7 million RFDI.

Principal Funds filed on Monday to make a minor name change to drop the word “index” from its Principal Healthcare Innovators Index ETF (BTEC) and the Principal Millennials Index ETF (GENY). While the reference to indexes are gone, the updated prospectuses for both ETFs indicate they will still use their respective indexes to form their portfolios.

The name change is effective Nov. 1.

Finally, effective Monday, Aug. 9, the TrueShares Structured Outcome (November) ETF (NVMZ) will change its ticker to NOVZ.

Contact Dan Mika at [email protected], and follow him on Twitter