As many Canadian investors opt to diversify their equity holdings, Evolve Funds Group Inc. is gearing up to launch an international equity ETF that employs leverage and a covered call writing program.
In a release, the firm said it filed a final prospectus to bring the Evolve International Equity UltraYield ETF to the Canadian market. Subject to TSX approval, the fund is expected to begin trading on the exchange on Jan. 15, under the ticker symbol INTY.
The ETF’s aim is to provide investors with “attractive” income and long-term capital appreciation by investing in a portfolio of international equity securities with the potential to generate “significant” option premiums, the release noted.
Evolve said the fund will use a covered call option writing program in an effort to enhance yield, mitigate risk and reduce volatility. It’ll also employ up to 33% leverage through cash borrowing and/or derivatives.
The ETF will pay cash distributions at least twice a month.
The impending launch comes at a time when international equities are in demand. A recent report from National Bank Capital Markets showed that international equity funds accounted for about half of the inflows into equity funds in 2025, surpassing both U.S. and Canadian equity funds.
A separate report from RBC Global Asset Management pointed out that European and other international stocks enjoyed a strong rebound in 2025, as investors re-evaluated portfolio allocations due to “both concentration and valuation risks after a decade and a half of strong performance in U.S. markets.”
Harvest plans new U.S. equity ETF
Harvest ETFs says it will soon debut a U.S. equity ETF that will use leverage and an active option writing strategy.
The Harvest Premium Yield Enhanced ETF will provide investors with exposure to a diversified portfolio of 20 mega-cap U.S. equities. On its website, the Oakville, Ont.-based asset manager said the fund is expected to begin trading on the TSX this month, under the ticker symbol HPYE.
The ETF will employ up to 50% leverage, along with an active option writing strategy targeting both calls and puts “to enhance monthly distribution yield and overall growth,” the firm noted.
The fund will pay cash distributions twice a month. It will have a 0.65% management fee.
AGF rolls out ETF series for two mutual funds
AGF Investments Inc. has announced the launch of ETF series units for two mutual funds — the AGF American Growth Fund and AGF Global Select Fund — expanding access to the strategies.
The ETF series of the AGF American Growth Fund and AGF Global Select Fund are now trading on the TSX, under the ticker symbols AMGR and AGSL, respectively.
From Cboe to TSX: CIBC moves its CDRs
CIBC has moved its Canadian Depositary Receipts (CDRs) from Cboe Canada Inc. to the TSX.
In a release, the bank said the transfer “aims to enhance the visibility and accessibility of CIBC’s CDR offerings, potentially strengthening its market position and benefiting stakeholders by aligning with a more prominent exchange.”
The bank currently offers a total of 116 CDRs.
A terminated bond fund
Manulife Investments has announced the upcoming termination of the Manulife Canadian Universe Bond Fund.
The fund is slated to be terminated on or about Feb. 3, the asset manager said in a release.
“Fund terminations allow for Manulife Investment’s fund platform to better serve investor demand and further its commitment to bringing diverse products to Canadian investors to help them achieve their investment goals,” the release said.
NEI proposes fund merger
NEI Investments is proposing a change to streamline its global equity fund lineup.
In a release, the firm said it’s proposing to merge the NEI Global Growth Fund into the NEI Global Equity RS Fund. Investors in the fund will be able to vote on the proposed merger at a meeting held on or about March 25.
NEI said it will mail a notice to unitholders ahead of that meeting. That notice will also be available online at sedarplus.ca and on NEI’s website on or about Feb. 17.
If the proposed merger gets the OK from unitholders, it’s expected to take effect on or about April 10. The sub-advisor agreement between NEI and Baillie Gifford Overseas Ltd. to manage the NEI Global Growth Fund would also be terminated as a result.
Firm announces name, product lineup changes
R.E.G.A.R. Gestion Privée Inc. has changed its name to RGP Investments Inc. and made some changes to its product lineup.
The company has renamed the RGP Global Sectors Fund as the RGP Quantitative Global Equity Fund, while the RGP Global Sectors Class is now the SectorWise Global Equity Portfolio Class.
RGP Investments has also appointed Montreal-headquartered asset management firm Evovest Inc. as sub-advisor to the RGP Quantitative Global Equity Fund. Under the supervision and direction of RGP Investments, Evovest, which specializes in global equities, will oversee portfolio management and implement investment decisions for the fund.
As well, RGP Investments said it has approved updates to the fund’s investment strategies “to better align with Evovest’s new mandate and investment philosophy.” The fundamental investment objective and risk level of the RGP Quantitative Global Equity Fund remain unchanged, however.