Desjardins Global Asset Management has expanded its range of responsible investment ETFs with the launch of the Desjardins RI Developed ex-USA ex-Canada – Low CO2 Index ETF (DRMD CN) on the Toronto Stock Exchange. The fund targets developed market stocks excluding the US and Canada while seeking an enhanced ESG profile and lower carbon intensity compared to non-ESG benchmarks.

Singapore Exchange (SGX) has announced the acquisition of smart beta index specialist Scientific Beta in a move that aims to scale up its own data and index business. Noël Amenc, CEO of Scientific Beta, commented, “As Asia’s most international exchange and a global leader, SGX provides a strong platform for Scientific Beta to expand regionally and across client segments. Together we will drive continued development in the smart beta and sustainable finance space, leveraging Scientific Beta’s academic rigour and SGX’s product development capabilities.”

Scientific Beta, a commercial affiliate of EDHEC-Risk Institute, is now offering environmental, social and governance (ESG) and low carbon options on all its flagship multi-beta multi-strategy indices.

South African investment manager CoreShares has unveiled a new ETF providing multi-strategy, multi-factor exposure to South African equities. The CoreShares Scientific Beta Multi-Factor Index ETF (SMART SJ) has listed on Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) and comes with an expected total expense ratio of 0.55%.

Desjardins Global Asset Management (DGAM) has launched two responsible investing ETFs on Toronto Stock Exchange.

Smart beta index provider Scientific Beta has published an open letter to MSCI in which it criticizes the firm’s stance against the exclusion of controversial weapons from global cap-weighted indices. Penned by Professor Noël Amenc, CEO of Scientific Beta, the letter rejects the argument that for a broad cap-weighted index to represent all investment opportunities within its segment, it cannot contain an ESG filter by default.

Desjardins Global Asset Management has rolled out a suite of ‘responsible investment’ ETFs on the Toronto Stock Exchange. “Responsible investing isn’t just a passing fad,” said Guy Cormier, President and CEO of Desjardins Group. “It’s a concrete way for Desjardins members and clients to incorporate their social values into their financial decisions”

Sector risk is the main explanation for the underperformance of many factor strategies compared to their market cap-weighted benchmarks over the last three years, according to ERI Scientific Beta, a smart beta index provider.

Amundi has expanded its ETF presence on Xetra with three new listings providing exposure to US equities. The new listings – a mix of smart beta and traditional beta products – bring the total number of Amundi ETFs listed on the Deutsche Börse platform to 97.

Lyxor has cross-listed its Lyxor Scientific Beta Developed Long/Short UCITS ETF onto SIX Swiss Exchange under the ticker code MFLS SW, trading in US dollars.