Weekly ETF Industry News Recap | July 20-24, 2026

ETF Weekly Update (July 20- 24): New launches, fund moves, and filings shape a dynamic week across U.S., Europe, and Canada.

United States ETF Industry News

ETF Launches - Equities

Harding Loevner Enters ETF Market With International Equity Strategy

Harding Loevner has launched its first active ETF, the International Developed Markets Select Equity ETF (LOEV), giving investors a more tax-efficient way to access the firm's long-running international developed markets strategy. The ETF invests in high-quality growth companies outside the US using the same portfolio managers, investment philosophy and bottom-up research process as the existing strategy. The launch expands the firm's product lineup while maintaining its focus on fundamental stock selection and long-term growth opportunities.

Alpha Architect Launches Broad U.S. Equity ETF via 351 Conversion

Alpha Architect has launched the Alpha Architect US Equity 4 ETF (AAUB), an actively managed fund seeking broad exposure to the U.S. equity market through a diversified mix of individual stocks, ETFs, and options. The strategy primarily invests in U.S. companies with market capitalizations above $1 billion and may employ a systematic dividend-timing approach to enhance tax efficiency while maintaining market exposure. Notably, AAUB is being seeded through one or more Section 351 tax-deferred in-kind contributions, allowing the fund to launch with a significant asset base.

ProShares Launches First 2x Equal-Weight Nasdaq-100 ETF

ProShares has introduced Ultra QQQ Equal Weight (EQQQ), the first ETF designed to deliver twice the daily performance of the Nasdaq-100 Equal Weighted Index. Unlike the traditional market-cap-weighted Nasdaq-100, the equal-weighted benchmark assigns each constituent the same weight at quarterly rebalances, reducing the influence of mega-cap stocks and increasing exposure to smaller index members. EQQQ expands ProShares’ Nasdaq-focused leveraged ETF lineup, offering investors amplified exposure to a more evenly balanced version of the Nasdaq-100.

Hotchkis & Wiley Adds ETF Share Classes to Two Active Funds

Hotchkis & Wiley has launched ETF share classes for its International Value Fund (HWIV) and Opportunities Fund (HWO), expanding investor access to its actively managed strategies. The new ETF share classes mirror the portfolios and investment teams of the existing mutual funds while offering ETF features such as intraday trading and potential tax efficiency. The launch builds on the firm's ETF expansion following the debut of its standalone SMID-Cap Diversified Value ETF in 2025.

Tema Launches Active ETF Focused on AI in Healthcare

Tema has launched the Tema Healthcare AI ETF (HLTH), an actively managed fund investing in companies applying artificial intelligence across the healthcare sector. Using a combination of top-down thematic research and bottom-up fundamental analysis, the ETF seeks attractively valued businesses with strong growth potential in healthcare and information technology. The fund can invest in global equities, including private and restricted securities, ADRs and GDRs, and is structured as a concentrated, non-diversified portfolio reflecting high-conviction exposure to the healthcare AI theme.

Defiance Launches Active ETF Targeting AI Infrastructure Leaders

Defiance ETFs has launched the Defiance AI Hyperscale Leaders ETF (AIHY), the first ETF focused on companies building and operating the infrastructure powering artificial intelligence. The actively managed fund invests in firms involved in AI compute, cloud platforms, data centers, semiconductors, AI software, and model development that meet strict thresholds for AI-related business activity, scalability, revenue growth, and profitability. AIHY aims to identify companies translating AI investment into sustainable earnings growth, offering concentrated exposure to what Defiance believes are the leading beneficiaries of the AI infrastructure buildout.

First Trust Debuts Quality-Focused Precious Metals Miners ETF

First Trust has launched the First Trust Indxx Quality Precious Metals Miners ETF (PMTL), an index-tracking fund targeting global precious metals mining companies with an emphasis on quality. The ETF follows the Indxx Quality Precious Metals Miners Index, which ranks eligible miners using market capitalization and a composite quality score based on factors such as return on equity, debt levels, and all-in sustaining costs for gold and silver producers. The portfolio prioritizes pure-play miners, applies diversification caps, and rebalances semi-annually.

First Trust Adds July Buffer ETF With 9.37% Target Return

First Trust has launched the FT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer & Digital Return ETF – July (DGJL), expanding its lineup of defined outcome ETFs. The fund aims to provide a predetermined return of about 9.37% before fees if the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) rises, remains flat or declines by up to 10% during the outcome period from July 20, 2026, to July 16, 2027. It also seeks to buffer the first 10% of SPY price losses over the same period, offering investors a structured risk-return profile.

ETF Updates & Changes

Matthews Asia Innovators Active ETF Becomes Non-Diversified

Shareholders of the Matthews Asia Innovators Active ETF (MINV) approved changing the fund’s status from diversified to non-diversified under the Investment Company Act of 1940, effective July 24, 2026. The change allows the ETF to invest a larger share of its assets in a smaller number of companies, potentially increasing concentration risk while maintaining the same investment strategy. The prospectus has been updated to reflect the added non-diversification risk, noting that the fund may be more sensitive to company-specific, economic, political, or regulatory events.

Guinness Atkinson Expands Global Innovators Into Multi-Class ETF

Guinness Atkinson has updated the Global Innovators Fund to operate as a multi-class fund offering both traditional mutual fund shares and ETF Class Shares under an SEC exemptive order. The supplement clarifies that the mutual fund remains actively managed while adding disclosures on the structure, operational differences, risks, and shareholder rights associated with the ETF share class. It also introduces a future mutual fund-to-ETF conversion privilege, which is authorized but not yet available, alongside enhanced portfolio, country classification, and VIE risk disclosures.

Guru Favorite Stocks ETF to Merge Into Lower-Cost Alpha Architect ETF

The Guru Favorite Stocks ETF (GFGF) will merge into the Alpha Architect U.S. Equity ETF, with the reorganization expected to close on or about October 23, 2026. Shareholders will automatically receive shares of the acquiring fund with equivalent net asset value in a transaction intended to be tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The new fund maintains the goal of long-term capital appreciation but adopts a different investment strategy, sub-adviser, and significantly lower annual expenses (0.0945% vs. 0.66%), offering broader U.S. equity exposure instead of a guru-driven stock selection approach.

Langar Global HeathTech ETF Moves Primary Listing to Cboe BZX

The Langar Global HeathTech ETF will transfer its primary exchange listing from NYSE Arca to Cboe BZX Exchange, effective on or about July 27, 2026. The change affects only where the ETF is listed and traded, with no impact on its investment objective, strategy, or ticker symbol. The fund’s prospectus and related documents will be updated to reflect the new exchange, making this an administrative change rather than one affecting investors’ exposure or portfolio holdings.

Pacer Cuts Fees on Export Leaders ETFs to 0.49%

Pacer ETFs will reduce the management fees for the Pacer US Export Leaders ETF (PEXL) and Pacer International Export Leaders ETF (PIEL) to 0.49%, effective August 1, 2026, from the previous 0.60%. The fee reduction lowers each fund's total annual operating expenses to 0.49%, with no 12b-1 or other operating expenses. Based on the updated prospectus example, a $10,000 investment would incur estimated costs of $50 after one year and $616 over 10 years, assuming a 5% annual return. The move makes both export-focused equity ETFs more cost competitive while preserving their existing investment strategies.

Direxion Updates SpaceX ETFs With New Ticker and Creation Units

Direxion has amended the terms for its leveraged SpaceX ETFs, effective July 24, 2026. The creation unit size for both the Direxion Daily SpaceX Bull 2X ETF and Direxion Daily SpaceX Bear 2X ETF will be reduced from 25,000 to 10,000 shares, a change that may improve creation and redemption flexibility for authorized participants. In addition, the Direxion Daily SpaceX Bear 2X ETF's trading symbol has been changed to LOFD, effective immediately, replacing its previous ticker.

Vanguard Lowers Fees Again on Flagship All-World ETF

Vanguard will reduce the annual fee on its $77bn FTSE All-World UCITS ETF (VWRL) from 0.19% to 0.14% effective 28 July, marking the second fee cut for the fund in less than a year. The change lowers total charges by 36.4% since October 2025 and is expected to save investors around $37m annually. VWRL is Europe’s highest net inflow ETF in 2026, attracting $18.2bn year to date. The move reflects intensifying competition among ETF providers as firms cut fees on core products while expanding their reach to Europe’s growing retail investor market.

ETF Liquidations

Defiance BMNR Option Income ETF Set to Liquidate in August

Defiance ETFs will close and liquidate the Defiance BMNR Option Income ETF (YBMN) on or about August 21, 2026. The fund is expected to begin selling portfolio holdings around August 13, potentially increasing cash levels and departing from its stated strategy. Trading will be halted before the market opens on the liquidation date, and creation orders will cease beforehand. Remaining shareholders will receive a pro rata cash distribution after assets are sold. The payout may include capital gains and dividends and will generally be taxable, while the fund’s final net asset value will reflect any closure-related costs.

ETF Filings

Hedgeye Files for ETFs Tracking Democratic and Republican Election Odds

Hedgeye Asset Management has filed to launch two actively managed ETFs that would provide continuous exposure to the electoral performance of the Democratic and Republican parties in U.S. federal elections. Rather than investing in politically themed stocks, the funds would gain exposure primarily through event contracts, swaps, and other derivatives tied directly to outcomes in U.S. House, Senate, and presidential races. The portfolios are designed to roll exposure into future election cycles instead of terminating after a single election, allowing investors to maintain ongoing positions as political probabilities evolve. Each fund will invest at least 80% of its assets in election-linked derivatives, use Cayman subsidiaries to facilitate derivatives exposure, and hold cash, U.S. Treasuries, and other short-term securities as collateral. The filings represent an unusual expansion of exchange-traded products into regulated political prediction markets, offering investors a direct way to express views on U.S. electoral outcomes through ETFs.

Tema Files Active ETF Targeting Biweekly Income Distributions

The Tema Paycheck ETF is designed to provide a consistent stream of current income through a diversified mix of equity option-income strategies, credit investments, and cash-management holdings. The actively-managed fund plans to invest across underlying ETFs, dividend-paying stocks, fixed income, options, senior loans, high-yield bonds, CLO debt, and preferred securities, with a target allocation of roughly 40% equity option strategies and 55% credit. It aims to make distributions approximately every two weeks, while treating capital appreciation as a secondary objective.

Tema Expands Lineup With Eight AI and Semiconductor ETFs Filings

Tema has filed to launch eight thematic ETFs targeting key areas of the AI and semiconductor value chain. The proposed funds include the Tema AI Inference ETF, Actuator ETF, Analog Semiconductor ETF, MLCC ETF, Physical AI ETF, Semicap ETF, Semiconductor Manufacturing ETF, and Semiconductor Substrates ETF. The lineup reflects growing investor interest in specialized AI infrastructure and chip technologies, providing focused exposure to industries expected to benefit from increasing demand for artificial intelligence and advanced semiconductor production.

Quantify Files ETFs Targeting Anthropic, OpenAI and Anduril Ecosystems

Quantify has filed three actively managed thematic ETFs designed to invest in companies economically linked to Anthropic, OpenAI and defense technology firm Anduril. Each fund would use a core-and-satellite approach, combining direct exposure to the companies if publicly traded or available in private markets with investments in strategic partners, suppliers and infrastructure providers across AI chips, cloud computing, data centers, software and defense technologies. The ETFs may also use derivatives and limited hedging to refine exposure, offering investors targeted access to the broader ecosystems surrounding three of the most closely watched private technology companies.

YieldMax Targets Quantum Computing With Options-Based Income ETF

The YieldMax® Quantum Portfolio Option Income ETF will focus on the fast-growing quantum computing sector, combining equity exposure with an options-based income strategy. The actively managed fund would invest in a portfolio of quantum technology companies and quantum-focused ETFs, using a proprietary classification system to identify businesses across hardware, software, platforms and cybersecurity. It would also employ covered call and other options strategies to generate cash distributions, while holding cash and short-term Treasuries as collateral. The fund aims to deliver both income and capital appreciation but may distribute significant return of capital and carries concentrated sector risk.

Zacks Files Active Small-Cap Core ETF Focused on Alpha Generation

The Zacks Small-Cap Core ETF (ZCAP) combines proprietary quantitative models with fundamental analysis to identify companies with the potential to outperform the broader market. The actively-managed strategy uses the firm's Zacks Rank and other multi-factor models to screen for attractive opportunities before applying qualitative stock selection and risk controls. The fund will invest at least 80% of assets in U.S. small-cap stocks, with flexibility to tilt across value and growth styles, concentrate in select sectors, and use limited short selling to enhance returns.

Zacks Files Active Core U.S. Equity ETF Using Proprietary Earnings Model

The Zacks All-Cap Core ETF (ALLZ) combines quantitative models with fundamental research to identify stocks with strong earnings potential. The actively-managed strategy is built around the firm's proprietary Zacks Rank, which seeks to capture companies benefiting from positive earnings estimate revisions, alongside bottom-up valuation analysis and modern portfolio construction techniques. The fund will invest primarily in U.S. equities across sectors, styles and market capitalizations, with flexibility to allocate more than 25% of assets to technology when market conditions warrant.

Leverage Shares Files Leveraged and Inverse ETFs on IPO-Bound Switch

Leverage Shares has filed to launch three single-stock ETFs tied to IPO-bound data center operator Switch, Inc., offering 2x leveraged long, 2x leveraged short and 1x inverse daily exposure. The proposed funds are designed to amplify or invert the company's daily share price performance once it begins trading. Switch develops and operates large-scale data centers that support AI and cloud computing workloads, making it a closely watched infrastructure play. The ETFs would provide traders with tactical exposure while carrying the elevated risks associated with daily leveraged and inverse strategies.

Leverage Shares Files ETFs Ahead of Oura IPO Listing

Leverage Shares has proposed three single-stock ETFs tied to Oura ahead of the health technology company's planned U.S. IPO: the 2X Long Oura Daily ETF, 2X Short Oura Daily ETF, and 1X Short Oura Daily ETF. Oura, best known for its Oura Ring wearable and health platform, has confidentially submitted a draft S-1 to the SEC and intends to list on a U.S. national securities exchange. The ETFs are designed to provide leveraged or inverse daily exposure once Oura shares begin trading, offering traders targeted ways to express bullish or bearish views on the stock.

Defiance Files 2x Leveraged ETF on Forge Nano SPAC Ahead of Merger

Defiance has filed to launch a 2x leveraged single-stock ETF tied to Archimedes Tech SPAC Partners II (NASDAQ: NANO), the blank-check company planning to merge with semiconductor equipment developer Forge Nano. The fund would seek to deliver twice the daily performance of NANO using swaps and options, providing leveraged exposure ahead of the expected business combination. Forge Nano develops atomic layer deposition technology for AI chip manufacturing and defense battery applications. Like other daily leveraged ETFs, the fund is intended for short-term trading and is subject to compounding and volatility risks over longer holding periods.

Europe ETF Industry News

ETF Launches - Equities

AllianzGI Debuts AI-Driven Active Equity ETFs in Europe

Allianz Global Investors has entered the European ETF market by listing its first ETFs on Deutsche Börse under the Allianz Smart Active range. The three actively managed UCITS equity ETFs provide exposure to US, European and global stocks using a systematic, quantitative investment process. The strategy combines proprietary signals with data analysis, machine learning, natural language processing and AI to identify attractive opportunities based on factors including market positioning, price trends, analyst views and factor premiums. Fees range from 0.20% to 0.25%.

Amundi Launches Memory Chips and Data Center Thematic ETFs

Amundi has expanded its thematic ETF lineup with the Amundi Global Memory Chips UCITS ETF and Amundi Global Data Center UCITS ETF, targeting two key areas of AI-driven infrastructure growth. The Memory Chips ETF provides global exposure to companies benefiting from rising demand for AI memory, data storage, and semiconductor components, while the Data Center ETF invests across the data center value chain, including power, cooling, networking, and digital infrastructure. The launches reflect growing investor demand for targeted thematic exposure and form part of Amundi's broader plan to expand its thematic ETF range throughout 2026.

CoinShares Enters UCITS Market With Bitcoin Mining ETF

CoinShares has launched the CoinShares Bitcoin Mining UCITS ETF on Deutsche Börse Xetra, offering regulated, diversified exposure to listed Bitcoin mining companies without directly holding Bitcoin. The Ireland-domiciled UCITS fund physically replicates the CoinShares Bitcoin Mining Index, a quality-weighted basket of miners selected for operational strength, financial resilience, governance, and efficiency. With a 0.65% TER and quarterly rebalancing, the ETF targets institutional and retail investors seeking Bitcoin-related exposure through a familiar, UCITS-compliant investment vehicle.

Planned Launches

BNY Files Five Active Bond UCITS ETFs for Europe

BNY Investments has filed five actively managed fixed income UCITS ETFs with Ireland's Central Bank, marking its planned entry into the European ETF market. The proposed funds cover euro corporate bonds, global aggregate bonds, global corporate bonds, and U.S. and global high-yield debt. The launch would extend BNY's ETF business beyond its 18 U.S.-listed ETFs, which manage about $18 billion in assets. The move positions the asset manager to compete in Europe's growing active ETF market while leveraging its established fixed income expertise.

Morgan Stanley Prepares European ETF Debut With Four UCITS Funds

Morgan Stanley Investment Management has registered its first four European UCITS ETFs, marking its long-awaited entry into the region's ETF market. The initial lineup includes the Morgan Stanley AI & Tech Diffusion UCITS ETF, Morgan Stanley Future of Energy UCITS ETF, Morgan Stanley Multipolar World UCITS ETF, and the actively managed Morgan Stanley Europe Top Picks UCITS ETF. The launches align with the firm's plan to rapidly expand its European ETF platform over the next year, with future offerings expected across active fixed income, systematic equities, premium income, and defined outcome strategies under the unified Morgan Stanley brand.

ETF Updates & Changes

BlackRock Shifts €13B of ETFs to Full Replication Amid AI Concentration

BlackRock has converted €13 billion of European ETFs from optimized sampling to full physical replication as soaring AI and semiconductor stocks pushed holdings toward UCITS concentration limits. The move allows the funds to use higher issuer limits available to fully replicating ETFs, improving benchmark tracking while remaining compliant with regulations. The change reflects growing pressure from concentrated mega-cap technology names such as Micron and ASML and comes as European regulators consider revising concentration rules for benchmark-tracking funds.

Canada ETF Industry News

ETF Launches - Equities

Capital Group Expands Canadian ETF Lineup With Three Active Equity ETFs

Capital Group Canada has launched three actively managed equity ETFs on the Toronto Stock Exchange, expanding its ETF lineup to seven funds. The new ETFs include the Capital Group U.S. Equity Select ETF (CAPU), which invests primarily in U.S. stocks for long-term capital growth and income; the Capital Group International Developed Equity Select ETF (CAPN), focused on developed markets outside North America; and the Capital Group Global Developed Equity Select ETF (CAPQ), which invests across developed global markets. The firm says the funds are designed as core portfolio holdings, leveraging its global research platform, multiple portfolio manager system, and more than 90 years of active investment experience. The launch aims to meet growing demand for internationally diversified, actively managed ETF solutions at competitive costs.

Harvest Launches International High Income ETF With Monthly Distributions

Harvest ETFs has listed the Harvest International High Income Shares ETF (TSX: HHII), expanding its High Income Shares lineup with a globally diversified income-focused strategy. HHII invests, directly or indirectly and on a modestly leveraged basis, in a portfolio of publicly listed international equities across multiple sectors. The fund seeks to deliver high monthly cash distributions and long-term capital appreciation by combining international equity exposure with an active covered call strategy and selective hedging using put options to help manage volatility. HHII will pay monthly distributions, with its first distribution of C$0.16 per unit scheduled for September 4, 2026, to unitholders of record on August 31. The ETF is CAD-denominated and is designed to provide investors with simplified access to international income and growth opportunities in a single fund.

ETF Filings

BMO Files Three New ETFs Including Canada's First Autocallable Fund

BMO ETFs has filed three new Canadian ETF launches, highlighted by the proposed BMO Strategic Autocallable Income US Large Cap ETF, which would be Canada's first autocallable ETF. The fund aims to generate regular income while providing exposure to large-cap U.S. equities with downside risk mitigation through derivatives and structured notes. BMO also filed the BMO MSCI Latin America GDP Weighted Index ETF, tracking the MSCI EM Latin America GDP Weighted Index, and the BMO Asset-Backed Securities ETF, which will invest primarily in investment-grade asset-backed securities, with at least 80% of assets allocated to investment-grade ABS.

Mackenzie Files Five Active Equity ETFs Across Global Markets

Mackenzie has filed five new actively managed equity ETFs, expanding its lineup across global, regional, and factor-based strategies. The Mackenzie Global Equity & Gold Overlay ETF (MGEG) combines global equities with a systematic gold futures overlay, primarily investing in the Mackenzie GQE Global Equity ETF (MGQE), to enhance diversification and long-term growth. The new Mackenzie Modus Global Equity ETF (MMGL), Mackenzie Modus International Equity ETF (MMEA), Mackenzie Modus Emerging Markets Equity ETF (MMEM), and Mackenzie Modus Global Small-Mid Cap Equity ETF (MMSD) each target long-term capital appreciation through active investment in global, international developed, emerging markets, and global small- and mid-cap equities, respectively.

Evolve Files Leveraged Nasdaq Technology Covered Call ETF

Evolve ETFs has filed for the Evolve NASDAQ Technology UltraYield ETF (TECY), a new fund designed to provide amplified exposure to the NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Adjusted Market-Cap Weighted Index. The ETF seeks to deliver up to 1.33x the index's performance while enhancing income through an actively managed covered call strategy. The extent of covered call writing will vary based on market conditions, allowing the manager to balance yield generation with risk management. The fund will carry a management fee of 0.50%.

Please note this article is for information purposes only and does not in any way constitute investment advice. It is essential that you seek advice from a registered financial professional prior to making any investment decision.