First SmartBe Wealth ETF trading on NEO

Calgary-based wealth manager SmartBe Wealth Inc. has launched an ETF that tracks value, momentum and trends, the firm said in a release. This is the company’s first ETF, marking yet another entrant into the space.

The SmartBe Global Value Momentum Trend Index ETF seeks to replicate the performance of the Alpha Architect Value Momentum Trend for Canada Index. It started trading Thursday on the Aequitas NEO Exchange Inc. SmartBe is the first Alberta-based manufacturer to list on NEO.

While value focuses on companies with low prices relative to fundamentals, and momentum tracks strong past performance, trend-following is a risk-management strategy to invest in equities when the trend is positive and to move to lower-risk assets when the trend is negative, the firm said. It seeks to minimize large losses by avoiding down-trending equity markets.

The ETF’s annual management fee is 0.86%.

The Canadian ETF Association notes that in 2018, 120 ETFs were launched and eight new managers opened shop. As of Dec. 31, 2018, there were 33 ETF providers in Canada.

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