6 November 2018

Fidelity launches first active ETF in Australia

Published by Money Management  – 6th Nov 2018

Fidelity International has announced the launch of its first active exchange-traded fund (ETF) in Australia, the Fidelity Global Emerging Markets Fund (FEMX).

The firm said that as an active ETF the fund would have a benchmark index, however, the portfolio management team would make active decisions about the underlying portfolio allocation rather than adhering to the index, with the aim to outperform the benchmark over time.

FEMX would provide investors with access to a concentrated portfolio of 30-50 quality emerging market companies and would be managed by portfolio manager, Alex Duffy.

The fund would aim to identify companies that are “well positioned to generate returns through market cycles” and which demonstrated a strong corporate governance record.

“Developing economies offer a number of benefits for investors such as favourable demographics, the development of the middle classes and increased spending power,” Duffy said.

“However, at the same time they are not without risk and in this uncertain market environment, active management is crucial.

“An active ETF strategy brings together the best of both the active and the passive world, offering investors access to our emerging markets capability and knowledge through the convenience of an ETF.”