Horizons ETFs (Canada) is enhancing its suite of marijuana-focused ETFs with the listing of futures contracts on the Horizons Marijuana Life Sciences Index ETF (HMMJ CN) and the filing of a preliminary prospectus to launch inverse and leveraged ETFs that provide exposure to Canadian marijuana companies.

Assets invested in ETFs and ETPs listed globally have returned back above the $5 trillion mark, as of 31 May 2018, according to ETF industry consultant ETFGI.

Seven new ETFs have been listed on the South Korean Stock Exchange. Hanwha has issued five equity funds which track smart beta versions of the KOSPI 200 Index, while KBSTAR has issued two fixed income funds offering exposure to ten-year Korean Treasury bonds.

The Lyxor ETF research team has looked into the potential effects rising inflation could have on US ETF allocations for investors—specifically regarding exposures to inflation-protected bonds, commodities and energy stocks. ETF investors are well provided for when it comes to positioning portfolios accordingly.

Societe Generale has launched a series of 74 inverse and leveraged ETPs on London Stock Exchange. The product suite provides investors with leveraged daily long and short exposures to commodities, currency pairs and mainstream equity indices.

Mirae Asset Global Investments and CSOP Asset Management are closing some of their leveraged and inverse ETP products currently listed on Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

Direxion has launched the Direxion Daily Robotics, Artificial Intelligence & Automation Index Bull 3X Shares (UBOT US) on NYSE Arca, providing triple leveraged exposure to an equity index composed of firms operating in the robotics and automation industry. Sylvia Jablonski, managing director at Direxion, commented, “The launch of UBOT allows traders to take a bold position in companies that are at the forefront of technology.”

“ETFs were not at the heart of the market decline”, said new Fed Chair Jerome Powell during his testimony to the House Financial Services Committee on Tuesday. In February, markets had the worst week since January 2016, and the eighth worst since 2008. The S&P 500 Index, underlying reference of the $275bn SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY US), fell 10% between 26th January and 8th February. Powell was asked to respond to a WSJ article which suggested that the close correlation between sectors during that period of volatility was driven by the growing popularity of ETFs.

Assets invested in ETFs and ETPs (hereafter ETFs) listed in Asia Pacific (ex-Japan) increased by $14bn (8.24%) in January – the greatest absolute monthly increase in assets on record – according to ETF industry consultants ETFGI.

US-based leveraged and inverse ETF specialist Direxion has debuted a new range of ETFs, under a new brand called “Portfolio+ ETFs”. The ETFs provide lightly leveraged exposure to their underlying indices. Andy O’Rourke, Managing Director at Direxion, said, “Over time, a small amount of added exposure can make a significant difference. At the right price point, just a 25% boost allows advisors who already manage a diversified strategy to seek out additional risk-adjusted returns in a manageable way. “