This year saw an array of new funds entering the market, alongside the ASX’s outperformance of global competitors despite market volatility. Below are the eight biggest fund launches of 2022 month-by-month.
January
Munro and GSFM started off the year by launching the Munro Climate Change Leaders Fund. The partnership’s second ASX-listed fund sought to invest in companies with a decarbonisation and climate change solution focus.
February
Topping the charts as the busiest month for fund launches, February saw six new funds enter the market, including two from BetaShares.
Notably, Australian Ethical launched its first ever exchange traded fund (ETF). The High Conviction Fund ETF included a portfolio of 20-35 companies which met the firm’s ethical charter.
March
The PIMCO Global Income Opportunities trust (PMX) was launched for Australian investors, which aimed to raise $500 million through income and risk-adjusted returns.
June
The partnership between Investors Mutual (IML) and US-based investment manager Vaughan Nelson saw the launch of a global small and mid-cap (SMID) fund for Australian retail investors.
July
Maple-Brown Abbott released the Australian Small Companies fund, which focused its investment towards undervalued small companies with medium-term deliveries.
August
With another four new funds put onto the market, August proved to be another active month.
The Metaverse ETF, launched by BetaShares, connected investors to firms involved in the building and operation of the Metaverse including NVIDIA, Meta Platforms and Roblox.
October
The ETF industry experienced its highest-ever monthly dollar value growth during October, with an AUM of $131.7 billion.
During this month, Vanguard introduced its Active Positive Impact fund. The global equity offering reflected the firm’s expanding range of environmental, social and governance (ESG) funds.
December
Finally, LGT Crestone partnered with StepStone to launch a new venture capital fund. The StepStone Private Venture and Growth fund would connect high-net-worth investors (HNWI) to a diversified portfolio of unlisted companies.
