Odds & Ends: 6 ETF Closures Mark a Quiet Week

Unsurprisingly, the week leading into the holiday that marks the end of summer for many was fairly quiet, with only four ETF launches. However, there were six completed closures that had been telegraphed in advance by their issuers. 

The week kicked off on Monday with the shutdowns of four ETFs: 

• Defiance Next Gen Altered Experience ETF (PSY)
• Defiance Next Gen SPAC Derived ETF (SPAK)
• DriveWealth Power Saver ETF (EERN)
• DriveWealth Steady Saver ETF (STBL)

Tuesday was also the last day of trading for the AlphaClone Alternative Alpha ETF (ALFA), followed by the shutdown of the AdvisorShares North Square McKee ESG Core Bond ETF (MENV) on Wednesday.  

The number of completed ETF closures for the year has already surpassed the 79 funds that shut down in 2021, with the total for this year projected to be 91 by the end of October. Last year was one of the slowest years for ETF closures in a decade, and came on the heels of a record-breaking 275 ETF closures in 2020, the first year of the global pandemic. 

Changes to Existing ETFs 

The week also saw changes to the indexes and names of several ETFs. 

On Wednesday, the IQ Candriam ESG US Equity ETF (IQSU) changed its name to the IQ Candriam ESG U.S. Large Cap Equity ETF, and the IQ 50 Percent Hedged FTSE International ETF (HFXI) changed its name to the IQ FTSE International Equity Currency Neutral ETF. 

Thursday saw the AdvisorShares DoubleLine Value Equity ETF (DBLV) change its name to the AdvisorShares Insiders Advantage ETF and its ticker to SURE. At the same time, the IQ U.S Real Estate Small Cap ETF (ROOF) changed its name to the IQ CBRE Nextgen Real Estate ETF and its index from the IQ US Real Estate Small Cap Index to the IQ CBRE NextGen Real Estate Index. 

As of June 17, the Point Bridge GOP Stock Tracker ETF (MAGA) changed its name to the Point Bridge America First ETF and its index from the Point Bridge GOP Stock Tracker Index to the Point Bridge America First Index. 

Four ETFs in the VictoryShares family will undergo name and index changes as of Nov. 1: 

• The VictoryShares USAA MSCI USA Value Momentum ETF (ULVM) will change its name to the VictoryShares US Value Momentum ETF and its index from the MSCI USA Select Value Momentum Blend Index to the Nasdaq Victory US Value Momentum Index.
• The VictoryShares USAA MSCI USA Small Cap Value Momentum ETF (USVM) will change its name to the VictoryShares US Small Mid Cap Value Momentum ETF and its index from the MSCI USA Small Cap Select Value Momentum Blend Index to the Nasdaq Victory US Small Mid Cap Value Momentum Index.
• The VictoryShares USAA MSCI International Value Momentum ETF (UIVM) will change its name to the VictoryShares Emerging Markets Value Momentum ETF and its index from the MSCI Emerging Markets Select Value Momentum Blend Index to the Nasdaq Victory Emerging Market Value Momentum Index.
• The VictoryShares USAA MSCI Emerging Markets Value Momentum ETF (UEVM) will change its name to the VictoryShares Emerging Markets Value Momentum ETF and its index from the MSCI Emerging Markets Select Value Momentum Blend Index to the Nasdaq Victory Emerging Market Value Momentum Index.

Contact Heather Bell at [email protected]