VanEck launched an exchange-traded fund that provides targeted exposure to "the future of sports": video game and related software developers, streaming services, companies involved in esports events, and more.
The VanEck Vectors Video Gaming and eSports ETF (ESPO) seeks to track, before fees and expenses, the performance of the MVIS Global Video Gaming and eSports Index (MVESPO). It targets exposure to "the future of sports" — video game and related software developers, streaming services, companies involved in esports events, and more.
The index is a rules-based, modified capitalization weighted, float adjusted index intended to give investors a means of tracking the overall performance of companies involved in video gaming and esports. To be included in the index, companies must generate at least 50% of their revenues from video gaming or esports.
"Just a few years ago, talk of sold-out stadiums, viewership in the millions, high-profile sponsors and notable marketing arrangements would have been centered on football, baseball, basketball or hockey. But today, that talk can just as easily be applied to the world of video games and esports," said Ed Lopez, head of ETF product at VanEck. "This is the future of sports and a growth story that is global in scope."
ESPO has a gross expense ratio of 0.60% and a net expense ratio of 0.55%, which is capped contractually until February 1, 2020.
Barings Expands Introduces Its First Equity Fund Offering in the US
Barings launched its first equity mutual fund, the Barings Global Emerging Markets Equity Fund (BXQYX), in the U.S.
The fund seeks to achieve long-term capital growth through investment primarily in equity and equity-related securities of issuers that are economically tied to one or more emerging markets countries. It's managed by the same Global Emerging Markets Equity team that currently actively manages strategies for both retail and institutional clients around the world.
Barings' open-end funds are available through Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) custodial platforms, wirehouses, private banks and independent and regional broker dealers.
PGIM Investments Expands ETF Platform With New Active Equity Strategy
PGIM Investments launched the first of four actively managed equity exchange-traded funds that it plans to roll out in 2018, expanding the platform from the two actively managed fixed income ETFs launched earlier this year.
The PGIM QMA Strategic Alpha Large-Cap Core ETF (PQLC), which is priced at 0.17%, seeks long-term growth of capital by investing primarily in large-cap stocks.
By the end of 2018, PGIM Investments plans to offer three more actively managed equity ETFs. These four Strategic Alpha ETFs will seek to provide investors with access to broad multifactor equity exposure while capitalizing on investor bias. By being actively managed, these strategies give the portfolio managers discretion to rebalance and enhance portfolios more flexibly, as determined by market conditions and ongoing research.
