Betashares is a leading Australian fund manager specialising in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) which is a based in Sydney, Australia with offices in Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth.[1] It is owned and managed by its Australian based management team and has strategic shareholdings from Singapore's sovereign wealth investment company Temasek Holdings[2] and TA Associates.
History
Currently, Betashares offers exchange-traded funds across several asset classes, including equities, cash, fixed income, hybrids, currencies and commodities.
The organisation is actively involved in researching and commenting on ETF investing for Australian investors[3] as well as forecasting the future growth of the industry in Australia.[4]
Some of Betashares' milestones include:
Announced the launch of Australia's first currency ETF covering the US Dollar (ASX: USD)[5] and several months later the British Pound (ASX: POU) and Euro (ASX: EEU).[6]
Announced the launch of Australia's first currency hedged ETF, the Betashares Gold Bullion ETF (ASX: QAU).[7]
Announced the launch of Australia's first Cash ETF, the Betashares Australian High Interest Cash ETF (ASX: AAA), and subsequently launched the first ETF in Australia to offer exposure to a portfolio of Australian Bank senior floating rate bonds (ASX: QPON).[8] In May 2018, they also launched a Corporate Bond ETF (ASX: CRED)[9] and in July 2019, an Australian Government bond ETF (ASX: AGVT)[10]
Announced the launch of Betashares Europe ETF (Currency hedged) (ASX: HEUR) and Betashares Japan ETF (Currency Hedged) (ASX: HJPN).
Announced the launch of Australia's first ETF products using leverage and shorting over a range of asset classes, including Australian and global shares, as well as currencies offering exposure to both bullish and bearish investment strategies.[11]
Announced the launch of Australia's first ETF to track the NASDAQ-100 Index (ASX: NDQ)[12] and the first ETF in Australia providing dedicated exposure to the global cybersecurity sector (ASX: HACK).[13]
Announced the launch of two ethical ETFs using climate leadership and ESG screening criteria, the Betashares Global Sustainability Leaders ETF (ASX: ETHI) Betashares Australian Sustainability Leaders ETF (ASX: FAIR).[14]
Announced the launch of the world's lowest cost Australian equities ETF (ASX: A200).[15]
Announced the launch of two new technology funds, the Global Robotics and Artificial Intelligence ETF (ASX: RBTZ) and the Asia Technology Tigers ETF (ASX: ASIA).[16]
Announced the launch of two new global funds, the Global Quality Leaders ETF (ASX: QLTY)[17] and the Global Income Leaders ETF (ASX: INCM).[18]
Announced the launch of Australia's first ETF to track the FTSE-100 Index (ASX: F100).[19]
Announced the launch of three low-cost ethical diversified portfolio ETFs (ASX: DZZF, ASX: DBBF and ASX: DGGF) and one low-cost all equity diversified portfolio ETF (ASX: DHHF).[citation needed]
Announced the launch of Australia's first ETF to track the new S&P/ASX All Technology Index (ASX: ATEC).[20]
Announced the launch of Australia's first ETF in the cloud computing space which tracks the Indxx Global Cloud Computing Index (ASX: CLDD).[21]
Partnerships
Betashares has formed a number of partnerships:
In July 2013, Betashares launched the Betashares FTSE RAFI Australia 200 ETF (ASX: QOZ), based on a fundamentally based index developed by Research Affiliates, a product development and research firm. The Research Affiliates Fundamental Index (RAFI) approach uses 4 fundamental factors to develop index weightings including sales, cash flow, dividends and book value.
In November 2017, Betashares and Coolabah Capital Investments (CCI) released Australia's first Active ETF investing in a managed, diversified portfolio of hybrid securities. The portfolio manager for the Betashares Active Australian Hybrids Fund (managed fund) (ASX: HBRD) is Christopher Joye.[22]
In December 2017, Betashares and global asset manager Legg Mason, one of the world's largest active investment management firms, entered a strategic partnership to launch the Betashares Legg Mason Equity Income Fund (managed fund) (ASX: EINC) and Betashares Legg Mason Real Income Fund (managed fund) (ASX: RINC).[23] In November 2018, they launched Australia's first Active Fixed Income ETF, the Betashares Legg Mason Australian Bond Fund (ASX: BNDS).[24] In June 2019, they launched their fourth active fund, the Betashares Legg Mason Emerging Markets Fund (ASX: EMMG).[25]
