ETF Week: 1Q 2019 Winds Down
Deutsche Bank delisting most of its ETNs; several unique ETFs began trading.
The past week was so quiet in the ETF space that we are looking at the past two weeks for ETF Week.
In all, the first quarter of 2019 has been heavy on closures and rather muted when it comes to launches.
A rather stunning 42 ETFs have closed in the first quarter, which is about double the number of closures we usually see in the first quarter of any year. Meanwhile, 55 funds have launched during the first three months of 2019, which pales next to the 80 that rolled out in the first quarter of 2018, but is well in line with prior years.
Deutsche Bank To Delist 12 ETNs
The ETN issuer announced plans to delist 12 of its 16 ETNs as of April 11, leaving only the four ETNs offering different exposures to gold futures. Although the delisting ETNs will still trade on the over-the-counter market, they will likely face significant decreases in liquidity. (Read: Deutsche Closing Bulk Of ETNs)
BlackRock Debuts Active Factor ETF
BlackRock followed in the footsteps of Vanguard by launching an actively managed multifactor ETF. It also rolled out an index-based deep value ETF at the same time. Interestingly, the multifactor fund does not use the iShares brand name. (Read: BlackRock Debuts Active Factor ETF)
Different Kind Of REIT Fund
Exchange Traded Concepts and Fundamental Income rolled out the first ETF to cover the net lease REIT space. The fund targets REITs that lease their properties for terms of 10 years or more, specifying rent increases ahead of time and generally requiring that the lessee handle usual landlord responsibilities like paying for taxes and repairs. (Read: 1st Net Lease ETF Debuts)
Newcomer Unveils Managed Futures ETF
RYZZ Capital Management entered the ETF market with a managed futures fund that holds an actively managed equity portfolio along with two futures portfolios that engage in long/short pattern trading. (Read: Managed Futures ETF Debuts)
Whole Real Estate Picture
Hoya Capital Real Estate launched an ETF that encompasses the U.S. residential housing industry. The fund not only invests in REITs but in real estate services companies and homebuilders. (Read: Newcomer Rolls Out Housing ETF)
First Trust ETFs To Get Makeovers
First Trust will make some major renovations to two of its funds. The First Trust NASDAQ Smartphone Index Fund (FONE) will change its index, name and ticker, shifting to focus specifically on companies with business activities related to 5G technology. And the actively managed First Trust Heitman Global Prime Real Estate ETF (PRME) will merge into the First Trust FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Developed Markets Real Estate (FFR). (Read: 2 ETFs Making Big Changes)
GraniteShares Takes New Angle
GraniteShares, known primarily for its low-priced commodity ETFs, filed for two ETFs that will target slices of the global equity market. One will cover battery producers and miners of metals used in batteries; the other will invest in companies that operate in various disruptive technology categories. (Read: Batteries, Tech Focus Of ETF Filing)
Contact Heather Bell at [email protected]