JPMorgan Asset Management registers 8 more active ETFs in Singapore for local investors

[SINGAPORE] JPMorgan Asset Management (JPMAM) announced on Monday (Aug 18) the registration of eight active exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in Singapore, comprising seven flagship research enhanced index (REI) ETFs and the world’s largest active fixed-income ETF. 

This follows the registration of JPMAM’s first three equity premium income ETFs in the city-state in April, which tracked the S&P 500, Nasdaq Composite and MSCI World indices.

For the suite of seven REI ETFs, portfolio managers will take “small overweight positions in names they find attractive and small underweights in less attractive ones”, said JPMAM, which manages over US$280 billion across 144 ETFs globally.

The portfolios will therefore “maintain index characteristics while seeking incremental positive excess returns, compounded over time”, it added.

Philippe El-Asmar, JPMAM’s head of Asia-Pacific ETF, digital and direct, said: “Our REI ETFs are designed to provide a cost-effective solution, blending index-like equity exposure with stock-specific insights. This makes them an attractive option for investors looking to stay active and aiming to avoid high levels of tracking error.”

As for the largest actively managed fixed-income ETF – the JPMorgan USD Ultra-Short Income Active Ucits ETF – the asset manager’s strategy is a “conservative” one, JPMAM said.

It added that this strategy is “designed to provide additional income beyond that of money market funds, while mitigating volatility and limiting duration exposure”. The fund invests across sectors, mainly focusing on corporate and investment-grade credit.

The eight ETFs are now accessible to Singapore investors, following approval from the Monetary Authority of Singapore.