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Smartshares, NZX’s Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) business, is pleased to announce it has registered a prospectus for the launch of nine new ETFs to complement its existing 10 Smartshares ETFs.
The new ETFs will give investors the opportunity to invest in a broad range of international securities through one simple NZD purchase.
1. US 500 Trust (USF) – invests in Vanguard’s S&P 500 ETF, which aims to track 500 large securities listed on the NYSE or NASDAQ markets
2. Europe Trust (EUF) – invests in Vanguard’s FTSE Europe ETF, which aims to track securities in developed European markets including Germany, Switzerland and the UK
3. Asia Pacific Trust (APA) – invests in Vanguard’s FTSE Pacific ETF, which aims to track securities in developed Asia Pacific markets, including Japan, Singapore and Australia
4. Emerging Markets Trust (EMF) – invests in Vanguard’s FTSE Emerging Markets ETF, which aims to track securities from emerging markets including Brazil, China, and India
5. Total World Trust (TWF) – invests in Vanguard’s FTSE Total World Stock ETF, which aims to track securities from both developed and emerging markets including Hong Kong, Norway, and USA
6. US Large Value Trust (USV) – invests in Vanguard’s Value ETF, which aims to track large value securities listed on the NYSE or NASDAQ markets
7. US Large Growth Trust (USG) – invests in Vanguard’s Growth ETF, which aims to track large growth securities listed on the NYSE or NASDAQ markets
8. US Mid-Cap Trust (USM) – invests in Vanguard’s Mid-Cap ETF, which aims to track mid-cap entities listed on the NYSE or NASDAQ markets
9. US Small-Cap Trust (USS) – invests in Vanguard’s Small-Cap ETF, which aims to track small-cap entities listed on the NYSE or NASDAQ markets
NZX Head of Funds Management Aaron Jenkins commented: “We’re excited to expand Smartshares’ range of low cost index-based ETFs, and provide New Zealand investors with an easy way to gain exposure to international equities, with the added benefit that dividends are paid in New Zealand dollars.”
“NZX is committed to broadening the range of investment products for New Zealand investors. The launch of these new ETFs is a terrific opportunity for investors to gain exposure to some of the world’s largest listed companies, many of which we often connect with as consumers.”
Smartshares ETFs are listed funds that aim to provide a return to unitholders that closely matches the return on a specific equity market index or predefined group of shares. Each new ETF will invest exclusively in a different underlying fund currently offered by the Vanguard Group, Inc, which seeks to track a benchmark index.
The new funds announced today will provide investors with further cost effective opportunities to broaden their investment portfolio into international equity ETFs, and complement Smartshares’ existing suite of 10 ETFs, which comprises:
• New Zealand Dividend (DIV)
• Australian Resources (ASR)
• Australian Financials (ASF)
• Australian Property (ASP)
• Australian Dividend (ASD)
• New Zealand Top 50 (FNZ)
• New Zealand Top 10 (TNZ)
• Australian Top 20 (OZY)
• Australian Mid Cap (MZY)
• New Zealand Mid Cap (MDZ)
Following quotation, which is expected to commence on 29 July 2015, subscribers will be able to review an investment statement (which will be available at www.smartshares.co.nz) and apply for the nine new ETFs.
Smartshares has applied to the Special Division of the NZ Markets Disciplinary Tribunal (which regulates Smartshares in place of NZX) for permission to quote the units in the new funds on the NZX Main Board. However, the Special Division accepts no responsibility for any statement in this announcement or in respect of the offer. The NZX Main Board is a licensed market operated by NZX Limited, a licensed market operator regulated under the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013.
