Franklin Templeton has launched the Franklin K2 Cat Bond UCITS Fund and Franklin K2 Athena Risk Premia UCITS Fund, the latest additions to its Luxembourg-domiciled Franklin Templeton Alternatives Funds (FTAF) range.

Space and aviation were the focus this week, with the listing of the US Global Jets UCITS ETF (JETS) on the HANetf platform, delivering exposure to the commercial airline, airline manufacturing and terminal service industries. HANetf also launched a new ETF on Xetra providing investors with access to companies in the space industry and satellite technologies sectors, plus a fund focused on sports betting and iGaming. New tech funds included an Invesco ETF aiming to track technology companies in China, with a focus on innovative tech rather than computer hardware and software businesses. ETFMG also issued two leveraged ETFs giving investors exposure to travel technology. Over in the US, BMO Investments launched the BMO US All Cap Equity Fund ETF Series, providing long-term capital growth by investing in equity securities of US companies of any size of market capitalisation, and Syntax Advisers listed the Syntax Stratified US Total Market Hedged ETF on NYSE, offering an alternative to cap weighted and equal weighted index products through a suite of ETFs covering US LargeCap, MidCap, SmallCap and US Total Market exposure.  

Deutsche Bank International Private Bank (IPB) has launched four Strategic Income Allocation (SIA) funds, utilising the capabilities of DWS as a fund manager.

Connection Capital, the specialist private client investment business, has secured an opportunity for private investors to participate in a tech-focused venture capital (VC) fund managed by top quartile, VC fund manager, DN Capital – the third time it has done so in four years. 

Crypto launches took centre stage this week, with CoinShares listing bitcoin, ether and litecoin ETPs on Borse Xetra. 21Shares also launched a UK bitcoin ETP on Aquis Exchange, designed to provide institutional investors with secure and cost-effective exposure to the cryptocurrency. ESG launches were also popular, with iClima Earth listing the world’s first ESG UCITS ETF providing exposure to companies promoting the decentralisation of energy generation. State Street Global Advisors also launched three new SDPR ETS focusing on companies with steady dividend growth and a good ESG profile. Funds also focused on Europe, with a new Lyxor ETF on Xetra giving investors access to fixed-income and euro-denominated eurozone government bonds, and the Polish WIGtechTR ETF listed on GPW providing investors with exposure to the top 49 stocks listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange. KraneShares has it's sights set on the Far East meanwhile with the Bloomberg Barclays China Bond Inclusion ETF which tracks Chinese RMB-denominated securities. Finally, it was all bout biotech for WisdomTree, with the of listing the WisdomTree BioRevolution Fund (WDNA) offering diversified exposure to a basked of companies positioned at the intersection of biology and technology.

Vitality has launched a new EnVIRO fund range, a ready-made investment solution that integrates environmental, social and governance considerations (ESG), making it easier for advisers to offer their clients a way to invest in a more sustainable future.

Moonfare, a digital investment platform for top-tier private markets funds, is launching a second vintage of its flagship Buyout Portfolio to build on the success of the portfolio franchise it launched in 2020.

For something a little different this week, Defiance ETFs launched the first US-listed psychedelic-themed ETF, the $PSY, giving investors exposure to companies involved in the development of the next generation of medicine, including psychedelics and cannabis. Crypto launches remained popular as always, with Osprey Funds bringing to market an ETF offering exposure to ALGO, the native token of the Algorand network, a proof-of-stake blockchain. ETC Group also listed the first UK bitcoin ETP on Aquis Exchange, marking the first time a cryptocurrency ETP has been available for trading on any UK market. One for the Star Wars fans, Europe’s first space ETF was listed by HANetf, the Procure Space UCITS ETF (YODA), on the LSE, designed to capture growth in the space industry. Elsewhere, Invesco turned its focus to tech, launching two new thematic technology ETFs in partnership with Nasdaq in Canada, allowing clients distinctive entry points to disruptive companies listed on Nasdaq. Finally, Horizons ETF turned its focus to ESG investing, launching Canada’s first ETF focused exclusively on providing exposure to a portfolio of global green bonds. 

ESG was a key theme this week, with the listing of the Solar Energy UCITS ETF on LSE offering Europe’s first pure-play exposure to the global solar energy industry. Vanguard launched the Vanguard ESG Global Corporate Bond UCITS ETF EUR providing investors with access to fixed-income bonds issued by ESG focused companies that have an investment grade rating. As always, crypto remained key, with ETC group listing exchange traded physical ether and litecoin ETCs on SIX. Simplify Asset Management launched the Simplify US Equity Plus GBTC ETF that invests at least 15 per cent of net assets in bitcoin via the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust, and FiCAS AG debuted an actively managed crypto ETP on the Vienna Stock Exchange. SonicShares set its sights on post-pandemic recovery with the listing of the SonicShares Airlines, Hotels, Cruise Lines ETF (TRYP), the only US-listed ETF that provides investors with exposure to the three major components of the travel industry. Striking a more cautious note, the Fat Tail Risk ETF launched on NYSE, designed to protect investors’ portfolios against major market declines. Elsewhere, Strategy Shares launched the First Gold-Hedged Bond ETF (GDLB) designed to enable investors to generate income from a portfolio of investment grade corporate bonds while hedging against inflation with a gold overlay. Finally, ProShares launched the Nasdaq-100 Dorsey Wright Momentum ETF, the first ETF focusing on select Nasdaq-100 stocks identified as having the greatest potential to outperform.

Stonehage Fleming Investment Management (SFIM) the investment division of one of the world’s specialist international Family Offices, has launched a Global Sustainable Equity Fund (GSEF), having successfully launched its Global Sustainable Investment Portfolios (GSIP) in 2019.