Canadian ETF provider First Asset has introduced the First Asset Canadian Buyback Index ETF (FBE) and the First Asset US Buyback Index ETF (FBU), providing access to portfolios of Canadian and US equities with active share repurchase programs. Companies which engage in share buybacks may display several beneficial characteristics compared to other firms such as stronger cash flows, lower share price volatility and greater tax efficiency.

Canadian investment manager and exchange-traded fund issuer First Asset has launched the First Asset Investment Grade Bond ETF (Toronto: FIG), an actively managed ETF providing exposure to a high quality, diversified mix of investment grade corporate bonds from issuers in Canada, the US and Europe. The ETF, which has been listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX), has come about via the conversion of the Marret Investment Grade Bond Fund. Toronto-based Marret Asset Management, which specialises in credit fixed income portfolios, will continue to act as manager to the fund.

Canadian exchange-traded fund issuer First Asset Investment Management has launched the First Asset Preferred Share ETF (FPR) and First Asset Long Duration Fixed Income ETF (FLB) on the Toronto Stock Exchange. FPR’s portfolio will consist primarily of preferred shares of North American issuers but may also hold investment grade corporate debt and convertible bonds, while FLB shall form its portfolio primarily of longer dated developed markets, Canadian and US government issued fixed income securities. Total expense ratios of 0.65% and 0.30% apply respectively.

Toronto Stock Exchange has surpassed a significant milestone this week with more than 400 exchange traded funds now listed on its platform. The number of ETFs listed on the exchange has more than doubled since 2011, bringing the total market capitalization to approximately $106 billion as of 30 April 2016. To celebrate the achievement, ETF industry participants joined Shaun McIver, Chief Client Officer, Equity Capital Markets, TMX Group to open trading on 4 May 2016.

Canadian exchange-traded fund provider First Asset Investment Management has launched the First Asset MSCI Canada Quality Index Class ETF (FQC) on the Toronto Stock Exchange. The ETF tracks the MSCI Canada Quality Index which references 25 Canadian companies, including large and mid-cap stocks with sustainable competitive advantages, durable business models, consistently improving earnings and healthy balance sheets. The index identifies stocks with high quality scores based on three fundamental variables: high return on equity, stable year-over-year earnings growth and low financial leverage. Constituents are weighted according to their relative quality scores and their market capitalizations.

Canadian investment manager First Asset has unveiled the First Asset Global Financial Sector ETF (FSF) following its conversion from a closed-end fund called the First Asset Hamilton Capital European Bank Fund. The fund is composed primarily of global financial services firms across developed and emerging markets and seeks total return from long-term capital appreciation and regular dividend income. Barry Gordon, President and CEO of First Asset, said in a statement: “FSF represents an exciting opportunity to combine the strengths of the Signature Global Asset Management team and First Asset. FSF is an actively managed ETF that delivers to investors the benefits of ETFs, including tax efficiency, liquidity, and low cost.”

Canadian investment manager First Asset has launched five new exchange-traded funds on the Toronto Stock Exchange, expanding its offering of First Asset Corporate Class funds. The new ETFs offer low cost, transparency, active management, diversification in a range of asset classes combined with a tax deferred structure to deliver an investment advantage for Canadians. There are no immediate tax consequences triggered when switching between ETFs within the corporate class and investors may also benefit from more tax-efficient distributions provided through the corporate class structure.

First Asset, the Toronto-based investment manager, has concluded the conversion of its closed-end fund, the Can-60 Income Corp, to an exchange-traded fund. All outstanding shares in the original format were consolidated on a 1:3 basis as new shares in the First Asset Core Canadian Equity Income ETF (Toronto Stock Exchange: CSY). The ETF combines a range of First Asset ETFs to provide exposure to momentum, value, size and volatility factors. First Asset’s suite of Core ETFs provide one-ticket portfolio solutions to advisors and their clients through optimised low cost portfolios.

First Asset, a Toronto-based investment manager, has announced the launch of two new active exchange-traded funds: the First Asset Active Canadian REIT ETF (FRF) and the First Asset Active Canadian Dividend ETF (FDV). The ETFs, which have been listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange, provide actively managed exposure to real estate equities and dividend-paying stocks, respectively, listed in Canada.

First Asset has launched two new factor-tilted equity ETFs – the First Asset Morningstar US Momentum Index ETF (YXM) and First Asset Morningstar US Value Index ETF (XXM) – on the Toronto Stock Exchange. Commenting on the launch, Barry Gordon, President and CEO of First Asset, said: “At First Asset, we are committed to developing solutions that aim to deliver superior risk-adjusted returns, and we are pleased to add these US equity ETFs to our product portfolio.”