Americas ETP News
If your looking for specific news, using the search function will narrow down the results
US Central Bank Explains 'Preconditions' for a Digital Dollar
February 24, 2021--The U.S. central bank is grappling with how to proceed on a potential "digital dollar" project.
Hours after U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell declared 2021 to be a pivotal year in consulting the public on the digital dollar, his underlings issued a paper describing what that consultation might look like.
In a Wednesday FEDS Notes, Fed Reserve Senior Counsel Jess Cheng, Payments Specialist Angela N. Lawson and Technology Lab Manager Paul Wong said the onus would be on broadly engaging the public regarding the pros and cons of a U.S. central bank digital currency (CBDC).
view more
Source: coindesk.com
Invesco Expands Multi-Factor Suite with International Equities ETF, 'IMFL'
February 24, 2021--Invesco Ltd. (NYSE: IVZ), a leading global asset management firm, today announced the launch of the Invesco International Developed Dynamic Multifactor ETF (IMFL).The addition of IMFL broadens the firm's dynamic multifactor suite, which currently includes ETFs that access large-cap and small-cap US equities to include international equities.
Invesco's dynamic multifactor ETFs adapt and evolve factor holdings as the market environment changes. "Invesco has a strong track record of offering dynamic multi-factor ETFs that adapt and evolve factor holdings as the market environment changes," said Anna Paglia, Global Head of ETFs and Indexed Strategies at Invesco. "Clients will now have access to international equities across geographies through an easily accessible single suite of ETFs.
view more
Source: invesco.com
FEDS Notes-Preconditions for a general-purpose central bank digital currency
February 24, 2021--Introduction
Money is a social and legal construct underpinned by trust. Conceptions of money have evolved and money has taken many forms over the years. In North America, pre-colonial trade was often conducted in wampum, corn, and fur pelts. In fact, wampum, which are decorative beads made from shells, were recognized as official currency by the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1650.
2 The Federal Reserve note, which was first issued in 1914, is a relatively recent development by historical standards. Today, there are ongoing discussions on a new form of central bank money distinct from physical cash and limited-access central bank deposits. This report focuses on the potential for a general-purpose CBDC that can be used by the public for day-to-day payments.
Crucial to whether "money" is successful is whether it is seen as a safe, stable and reliable instrument. Cash, central bank deposits, and a potential CBDC are all liabilities of the central bank; funds in a bank account are the liability of a commercial bank; and honoring balances on a retail stored value card is an obligation of issuer-but most people do not think of money in terms of their status as a liability and obligation of banks or other entities.
What people care about is not the nuances of how money is recorded on a ledger somewhere, but whether the "money" in question can be safely and reliably used to make a purchase today, as well as in the future. Most people take for granted that cash maintains its full value, funds at a bank are secure, and businesses will honor store credit. Seen in this light, a CBDC could offer another form of safe and reliable money.
view more
Source: federalreserve.gov
JPMorgan's blockchain payments test is literally out of this world
February 24, 2021--Stuck in space with bills to pay? Don't worry, the satellites could take care of it.
JPMorgan Chase & Co has recently tested blockchain payments between satellites orbiting the earth, executives at the bank told Reuters, showing that digital devices could use the technology behind virtual currencies for transactions.
The so-called Internet of Things (IoT), where devices connect to one another, is most associated with consumer electronics, including smart speakers like Amazon Echo and Google Home, and banks want to be ready to process payments when these smart devices start doing transactions autonomously.Umar Farooq, the CEO of JPMorgan's blockchain business Onyx, thought space was a cool place to try it out.
view more
Source: reuters.com
2 new ESG ETFs bring small-and mid-cap stocks into focus
February 24, 2021--The funds are the first ETFs to track the environmental, social and governance versions of the indexes. The DWS suite of ESG ETFs come with a tracking error of about one percentage point.
Xtrackers S&P MidCap 400 ESG ETF (MIDE), and Xtrackers S&P SmallCap 600 ESG ETF (SMLE) listed Wednesday applying sustainable investing screens to the popular indexes.
These are the first ETFs to track the environmental, social and governance versions of the indexes.
"At DWS, we have made ESG-centric investing integral to our value proposition for our clients and the launch of MIDE and SMLE is a logical follow-on," said Arne Noack, DWS head of systematic investment solutions.
"We seek to provide investors with transparency around relevant ESG-metrics of a potential investment," he added. "Investors can, for example, easily view the reduction in carbon footprint of the underlying companies, compared to a non-ESG benchmark."
view more
Source: investmentnews.com
Fidelity Merrimack Street Trust files with the SEC-Fidelity Investment Grade Bond ETF and Fidelity Investment Grade Securitized ETF
February 23, 2021-Fidelity Merrimack Street Trust has filed a post-effective amendment, registration statement with the SEC for the
Fidelity Investment Grade Bond ETF
Fidelity Investment Grade Securitized ETF.
view filing
Source: SEC.gov
American Century Investments Adds To Active ETF Lineup With Convertible And Preferred ETFs
February 18, 2021--On the heels of the three-year anniversary of its first exchange traded funds (ETFs), global asset management firm American Century Investments today rolled out the latest additions to its lineup: American Century Quality Convertible Securities ETF (QCON) and American Century American Century Quality Preferreds ETF (QPFF), listed on the CBOE BZX Exchange, Inc. (CBOE).
QCON is designed for investors seeking high-quality convertible securities that offer the potential for attractive risk-adjusted returns, and QPFF is designed for investors seeking high-quality preferred securities that offer the potential for high current income and attractive total return. Both are actively managed with holdings disclosed daily and have a total expense ratio of .32 percent.
view more
Source: American Century Investments
Bitcoin ETF Roars in Debut With $165 Million of Trading Volume
January 18, 2021--Purpose Bitcoin ETF, ticker BTCC, debuted in Toronto Thursday
Largest cryptocurrency has surged fivefold in the past year
North America's first Bitcoin ETF got off to a stellar start in its debut, with investors exchanging $165 million worth of shares.
After a relentless surge in the world's largest digital currency, the first Bitcoin product that’s officially labeled an exchange-traded fund debuted Thursday in Toronto. It's worth noting, though, that Europe has several crypto-tracking products that function like an ETF. The new fund, called Purpose Bitcoin ETF (ticker BTCC), invests directly in "physical/digital Bitcoin," issuer Purpose Investments Inc. said in a statement.
view more
Source: bloomberg.com
Putnam Investments to Launch Active ETF Strategies
February 18, 2021--Firm to Create Four Publicly Traded U.S. Equity ETFs,
including Two ESG Strategies
Putnam Investments today announced that the firm will bring four of its key U.S. equity strategies to market this year in the form of semi-transparent active exchange-traded funds (ETFs), with the first of the products expected to be available in the spring, upon completion of the registration process.
These offerings will represent the first ETF products provided by the company, which currently makes available an array of retail mutual funds, separately managed accounts, collective investment trusts, private funds and non-U.S. funds.
The investment strategies for the four initial ETF products will be similar to existing mutual funds with well-established track records, both in the ESG and large-cap equity areas, and will include: Putnam Sustainable Leaders ETF, Putnam Sustainable Future ETF, Putnam Focused Large Cap Growth ETF and Putnam Focused Large Cap Value ETF.
view more
Source: Putnam Investments
Wilshire Phoenix Launches Innovative Gold ETF on NYSE Arca (WGLD)
February 18, 2021--Wilshire Phoenix, a leader of innovation in the financial services industry, announces the debut of the Wilshire wShares Enhanced Gold Trust (NYSE Arca: WGLD). WGLD tracks the Wilshire Gold Index, which seeks to outperform a stand-alone investment in gold and reduce its volatility without the use of any futures, leverage, or derivatives.
The launch of WGLD marks significant innovation for commodities-based ETFs and the overall fund space.
"The industry constantly touts innovation, but often disappoints by failing to deliver any meaningful new products for investors. In contrast, WGLD offers all investors immediate access to an entirely distinct strategy and structure in a transparent and efficient manner," said Bill Herrmann, managing partner at Wilshire Phoenix.
view more
Source: Wilshire Phoenix
