BlackRock Launches Active Equity ETFs for European Investors

BlackRock has introduced its first actively managed equity exchange traded funds (ETFs) for European investors. The iShares World Equity High Income and iShares U.S. Equity High Income Ucits ETFs, listed in Frankfurt and Amsterdam, integrate an active, systematic strategy into the ETF wrapper. With a total expense ratio of 0.35 per cent, the funds are designed to generate high income through actively managing a diversified basket of dividend paying stocks and selling index call options. The launch marks a significant shift in BlackRock’s product offerings for the European market, providing investors with a powerful combination of active management capabilities and income generation strategies. The new ETFs are managed by BlackRock’s systematic team in combination with the iShares ETF platform teams, offering investors further access to investing. The introduction comes amidst reports of other ETF providers planning active ETF expansions in Europe, indicating a broader set of investment strategies available for investors in the region.