Fund Product, Company and Regulatory Updates as at 28 August 2018

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Product Updates

UBS joins Climate Bonds Initiative Partners Programme
UBS Group has signed on to the Climate Bonds Initiative Partners Programme, launching a 100 per cent sustainable cross-asset portfolio to private clients. 

OneVue, Mercer and Nextplan with new private label offering
A new bespoke private label offering is being developed by Mercer, OneVue, and Nextplan Wealth Management, to be available to Nextplan advisers. The offering is a private label of the OneVue platform, with a comprehensive super wrap, risk-based pooled investments, and investor directed portfolio service with a dozen customised managed account portfolios. 

BetaShares to launch three new ETFs
The new BetaShares exchange traded funds (ETFs) include the Asia Technology Tigers ETF (ASIA), Global Blockchain Innovators ETF (BLOK), and the Global Robotics and Artificial Intelligence ETF (RBTZ). The funds have been under development for the past year. The ASIA fund will invest in the largest Asia ex Japan technology companies such as Alibaba, Tencent and Baidu. The BLOK fund will invest in innovative blockchain companies. The RBTZ fund will track an index of companies involved in use or production of robotics and automation products and services. 

JP Morgan fund to remove tobacco, reduces fees
JP Morgan's Global Macro Opportunities Fund now excludes any investments classified as being in tobacco after clients demanded the change. The fund already excludes controversial weapons producers. 

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Company Updates

Charter Hall buy Folkestone
Charter Hall is buying Folkestone, another property fund manager, for $205 million cash. Charter Hall manages $23 billion. The purchase adds over 420 properties to Charter Hall's portfolio, taking the total portfolio value to $24.8 billion. Folkestone shareholders will receive $1.39 per share, with a special dividend of three cents. The transaction, with all approvals, should go ahead by early November 2018.