Focusing on the narrative 

Our interview this week brings you Arne Noack of DWS Group, talking about the firm’s move into thematic ETFs and specifically products focused on sustainability. Noack explains that the firm’s aim was to start with stories that made sense and were relevant for investors. He was referring in part to the launch of Xtrackers US Green Infrastructure Select Equity ETF (NASDAQ: UPGR) designed to offer both short- and long-term investment opportunities as green infrastructure projects continue to develop across the US.

"There were lots of statistics that reflect that the US had demonstrated the need for investment in infrastructure," Noack says. "The policy by its nature is long term but it’s been quite transformative for US economy and investors needed a route to participate in the development of the US infrastructure, especially in terms of topics like energy transitions which can be controversial but are also needed."

Consolidated tape was back in the news this week with the launch of EuroCTP, a company aiming to tender as the European Union consolidated tape provider for equities and ETFs. The shareholders of the new company write that they have a clear commitment to implement this significant European capital markets project and are dedicated to the long-term success and prosperity of retail investors and market participants.

The week also saw fast growing ETF data and analytics company, VettaFi, expand its index offering further, with the purchase of index providers EQM Indexes.

With the acquisition of EQM Indexes, VettaFi’s family of indexes now powers nearly USD19 billion in ETFs. EQM Indexes is the second indexing firm acquired by VettaFi this year, following the acquisition of the ROBO Global Index suite in April.

Beverly Chandler, Managing Editor

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