Global Beta ETFs expanded its factor based suite of exchange-traded funds, listing the Global Beta Low Beta ETF (GBLO) and the Global Beta Momentum Growth ETF (GBGR) on the NYSE Arca.
Each ETF has an annual net expense ratio of 0.29%, RIA Global Beta Advisors said. Impact Partners Consulting and Distribution is leading the sales and marketing efforts for the factor-based suite of ETFs, according to Justin Lowry, chief investment officer of Global Beta ETFs.
The two new strategies will "help investors gain targeted factor exposure at a more attractive valuation relative to their peer group," Vince Lowry, CEO of Global Beta ETFs, said in the announcement. "Our research indicates that, across all relevant factors in the market, improving the price-to-sales ratio within a portfolio can significantly improve returns, and can provide investors an additional level of downside risk mitigation," he noted, adding: "Given the current market environment today, we believe valuation is more important than ever."
The Global Beta Low Beta ETF seeks to track the performance (before fees and expenses) of the Global Beta Low Beta Factor Index and is made up of stocks from the S&P 500 index with the lowest beta relative to the S&P 500. The Global Beta Momentum-Growth ETF seeks to track the performance (before fees and expenses) of the Global Beta Momentum-Growth Factor Index, composed of stocks from the S&P 500 index with the highest year-over-year sales growth.
VanEck Merk Gold Trust Cuts Fee
The net expense ratio for the VanEck Merk Gold Trust ETF was lowered from 0.40% to 0.25%. The ETF trades on the NYSE Arca under the OUNZ ticker.
"A lower cost should provide further incentive for investors to use OUNZ as their preferred gold ETF," according to Axel Merk, president of Merk Investments.
"OUNZ is the only gold ETF with a patented delivery process, allowing investors to request delivery of the gold they own through OUNZ if and when desired—anywhere in the world," he said in the announcement. "When markets seized earlier this year, OUNZ continued to trade with high liquidity and we continued to facilitate deliveries," he added.
Tidal Signs ETF Licensing Deal With Blue Tractor
Tidal ETF Services entered into a license agreement to use Blue Tractor Group's Shielded Alpha ETF structure.
Toroso Asset Management will serve as the advisor to ETFs in the Tidal ETF Trust that leverage the Shielded Alpha model, the companies said in the announcement.
"Tidal has been growing rapidly by partnering with firms that value innovation, diversity, and excellence to launch distinct ETFs designed to solve investors' challenges," according to Tidal CEO Eric Falkeis. "The next frontier in actively managed ETFs is non-transparency, and Blue Tractor offers a unique solution," he said in a statement, adding: "The goal of this partnership is to help propel innovation in our industry forward."
The Shielded Alpha ETF structure is a "wrapper" that facilitates active management within an ETF, but without requisite daily full portfolio disclosure, fully shielding a fund advisor's confidential intellectual property of their alpha generating strategy, according to the companies.
