Vanguard diversifies ETF lineup

The proposed changes, which would occur over several months, will also give Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets Index ETF and Vanguard FTSE All-World ex Canada Index ETF exposure to China A-shares. Currently, no similar broad-based TSX-listed index ETFs offer access to these shares, Vanguard says.

“As the first broad-market Canadian ETFs to announce exposure to China A-shares, the funds will benefit investors with more diversification, deeper emerging markets exposure and greater access to the growth potential of Chinese equities,” says Atul Tiwari, managing director of Vanguard Investments Canada Inc.

These proposed changes are subject to unitholder approvals, and follow closely index changes to the U.S.-listed Vanguard ETFs in which the six Vanguard TSX-listed ETFs invest.

The ETFs will move from FTSE benchmarks containing large- and mid-capitalization stocks to broader FTSE benchmarks that include small-capitalization stocks, Vanguard says.

Exposure to small-caps will move investors in the TSX-listed ETFs closer to complete global market-cap weightings and provide broader diversification. Small-cap stocks will account for approximately 10% of each benchmark.

“We believe this will benefit investors because an all-cap approach produces more complete exposure to the respective markets and increases diversification,” Tiwari says.

If the proposed changes are approved, Vanguard will rename the affected TSX-listed ETFs. The ETF ticker symbols will remain unchanged. Click here for table a that summarizes the proposed benchmark and name changes.

The benchmark changes will be staggered over several months in order to ensure an orderly and cost effective transition, Vanguard says. Additionally, Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets Index ETF, Vanguard FTSE Developed ex North America Index ETF and Vanguard FTSE Developed ex North America Index ETF (CAD-hedged) will each follow a transition index for a short period.

Vanguard also announced management fee reductions to 0.20% from 0.23% for Vanguard FTSE Developed Europe Index ETF and Vanguard FTSE Developed Asia Pacific Index ETF became effective June 1, 2015.

Vanguard has filed a preliminary prospectus with the Canadian securities regulators for two new developed market ETFs: Vanguard FTSE Developed All Cap ex North America Index ETF and Vanguard FTSE Developed All Cap ex North America Index ETF (CAD-hedged).

These ETFs would follow the FTSE Developed All Cap ex North America Index, and FTSE Developed All Cap ex North America Hedged to CAD Index.

The proposed ETFs have an estimated management fee of 0.20%. They would provide investors with exposure to developed markets excluding both Canada and the U.S., and would follow all-capitalization benchmarks. The new offerings would bring to 23 the number of ETFs offered by Vanguard