New products and changes introduced over the last week include a series of low-carbon indexes from ERI Scientific Beta; ETFs from Janus Capital and the completion of a Van Eck's reorganization of two master limited partnership.
In addition, Azzad Asset Management added investments in ethical trade finance deals, Target Asset Management and Blackmoon Financial Group announced an upcoming fund launch in April and T. Rowe Price added a financial wellness solution to its Retire With Confidence program.
Here are the latest developments of interest to advisors:
1) ERI Scientific Beta Launches Line of Low-Carbon Indexes
ERI Scientific Beta launched a series of low-carbon smart beta indexes for institutional investors that can reduce the carbon footprint of their equity investments by more than 80% while outperforming traditional market indexes.
The indexes exclude the largest carbon emitters, the worst carbon-intense firms in major market sectors and the largest holders of fossil assets. ERI Scientific Beta hopes the exclusion of these firms will move them to change their strategy or production process in order to be removed from the exclusion list.
2) Janus Capital Adds Two ETFs
Janus Capital Group launched two enhanced beta ETFs: the Janus Small Cap Growth Alpha ETF (JSML) and the Janus Small/Mid Cap Growth Alpha ETF (JSMD).
The ETFs seek to replicate Janus's proprietary indexes, the Janus Small Cap Growth Alpha Index and the Janus Small/Mid Cap Growth Alpha Index, respectively, and identify resilient small and mid-cap companies poised for long-run sustainable growth.
3) VanEck Reorganizes Two MLP ETFs
VanEck completed the previously announced reorganization of two MLP ETFs purchased from Yorkville ETF Advisers and Exchange Traded Concepts LLC.