First Quarter Product Launches Snapshot and Analysis 2019
How many product launches were reported for the first quarter of the year compared to the last three years? How many products have an ESG focus? How many organisations have had launches in all three quarters? We analyse the last three years' March quarter data in Industry Moves' vault of products to find out. We also feature this year's launches and give you an easy to read report as part of a regular quarterly update.
Overview
One of the more pleasing trends we've noted for the first quarter of 2019, is the ongoing shift towards more ESG (environmental, social, governance), SRI (socially responsible investing) and impact investing focussed funds. There were just two such funds launched in the first quarter of 2017, four in 2018 and four so far this year. However, ESG, SRI and impact investing are not just the domain of those funds with ESG or SRI in their names. Many managers are incorporating these values into their overall management style. For example, the Arowana Australian Special Income Opportunities Fund, launched in March this year, invests in secured debt investments. But it also says one of its key aims "is to use business as a force for good."
Comparing quarters, 2017 saw a total of 17 products launched in the first quarter of the year, 2018 saw 25 and so far this year we have recorded 18 products.
Launches of listed products - such as exchange traded funds and listed investment companies or trusts - have tapered off, with just three for the first quarter of this year compared to six last year and five the year before. As a result, ETF managers, such as BetaShares, have been less active this year. There were no organisations that were active across all quarters, although some - such as FTSE Russell and Natixis - have launched products in both the first quarter of 2019 and 2018.
March seems to be the month where business gets back to normal, or when institutions feel that potential investors are ready to look at new opportunities. There were seven product launches in March 2017, 12 in March 2018 and 11 in March 2019.
As for the split between retail, retail/wholesale and institutional products, last year saw a big push in retail launches, which has decreased this year.
Featured Product Launches
"A byproduct of not using screens is we are often "fishing in different ponds" than our peers, which can produce an uncorrelated return stream."
In a Q&A with Industry Moves, Aristotle's co-portfolio manager, Greg Padilla, spoke about the launch of the new fund and the firm's unique approach to managing money. Read the Q&A
In January, Heitman launched the Heitman Global Prime Real Estate Trust for institutional and high net worth investors. Beau Titchkosky MD, client service and marketing, answered some questions on the launch and the outlook for the global real estate security market for 2019, and why he thinks the incorporation of climate risks into underwriting and managing real estate assets will be the next big thing. Read the Q&A
"It was two years after the Fed stopped raising rates in 2006 that we had the Big Bang of mid 2008."
Last month saw a new offering from Jamieson Coote Bonds with the launch of the active international bond fund designed for retail and wholesale investors. Chief investment officer, Charlie Jamieson, told Industry Moves what he believes will be the "next big thing" for credit and his outlook for bond markets. Read the Q&A
January - March Reported Product Launches
FTSE Chinese Green Bond Index Series
FTSE launched a new index series tracking green Chinese bonds.
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Infrastructure Partners Investment Fund (IPIF)
The IPIF Core fund opened to new investors to raise more capital.
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Centuria Life Goals
A new type of investment product, which has features similar to a managed fund combined with a life insurance policy. Read more
Ausbil Active Dividend Income Fund
A dividend fund which generates income through a core and tactical allocation approach.
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Russell Investments Low Carbon Australian Shares Fund
Australian shares with reduced exposure to carbon emissions and fossil fuel reserves.
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Investec Global Environment Strategy
Invests in companies that will benefit from the energy transition away from carbon
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Arowana Australian Special Income Opportunities Fund (ASIOF)
An SME lending opportunity for wholesale investors and family offices.
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Integrity Life retail offering
A new life insurance offering for risk advisers focusing on innovation, through new technology.
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Pengana Private Equity Trust
Pengana partnered with Chicago-based alternative asset manager, Grosvenor Capital for the launch of this ASX listed private equity trust.
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BlackRock ESG-focused Australian Bond Index Fund
An unlisted ESG-focused Australian Bond Index fund.
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Loomis Sayles Global Equity Fund
Loomis, Sayles & Company teamed up with Investors Mutual (IML) for the launch of this concentrated retail global equity fund.
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Natixis World Multi-Asset Credit Fund
An opportunistic multi-asset credit strategy.
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MCP Income Opportunities Trust
A trust to be listed on the ASX in April by alternative asset manager Metrics Credit Partners, investing in private credit through exposure to four of MCP's wholesale funds.
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UBank Green Term Deposit
A new term deposit that will be matched to a portfolio of renewable energy projects.
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VanEck Vectors MSCI World ex Australia Quality (Hedged) ETF
A hedged version of VanEck's MSCI World ex Australian Quality exchange traded fund.
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Year on year comparison
Download here the complete list of first quarter product launches: 2017 - 2019
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