Janus Henderson’s latest exchange-traded fund (ETF) has launched in response to rising adviser and investor demand for actively managed fixed income products.
Listed on Cboe Global Markets, the Janus Henderson Australian Fixed Interest Active ETF (JFIX) is built off an existing managed fund offered by the global asset manager.
The Janus Henderson Australian Fixed Interest strategy was first introduced in 1994 and now has over $5.2 billion in funds under management.
Now accessible in the form of an active ETF, the product offers investors exposure to government and semi-government bonds alongside corporate and asset-backed securities.
The new investment vehicle also marks Janus Henderson’s fifth ETF in the Australian market.
Its local product suite includes two fixed interest funds – the Tactical Income Active ETF (TACT) and the Sustainable Credit Active ETF (GOOD) – as well as two equity options – the Net Zero Transition Resources Active ETF (JZRO) and the Global Sustainable Equity Active ETF (FUTR).
Jay Sivapalan, portfolio manager and head of Australian fixed interest at Janus Henderson Investors, said the firm believes 2025 represents the beginning of a new growth story for fixed income in Australia.
“Government policy settings aimed at stimulating growth are likely to reignite investor
interest in the asset class,” he explained.
“The fixed income ETF market has expanded significantly, and actively managed solutions are playing a growing role in helping investors navigate today’s complex market environment. These strategies offer access to income-generating opportunities, can help stabilise portfolios during volatility, and provide a pathway to attractive returns across market cycles.”
Matt Gaden, Janus Henderson’s head of Australia, also observed a clear shift in fixed income allocations as advisers re-evaluate client portfolios.
“After a period of underweight exposure, many are now restoring bond allocations to benchmark levels – or even increasing them – to capture renewed opportunities in the asset class,” Gaden said.
“In an increasingly dynamic market, investors and advisers are strengthening their core portfolios and turning to actively managed fixed income solutions for diversification and income stability.
“With a strong 30-year track record, this strategy remains true to its objective – offering high-quality, interest-bearing securities while prioritising capital preservation.”
Earlier this month, Janus Henderson announced its Q4 and full-year 2024 global results to 31 December.
The firm recorded quarterly net flows of US$3.3 billion ($5.3 billion), up from US$0.4 billion in the previous quarter, thanks to continued strength in its intermediary flows and an improvement in institutional flows.
Its total net inflows for the full-year period was US$2.4 billion, a notable recovery from net outflows of US$0.7 billion during the 2023 full-year period.
While its assets under management (AUM) saw a slight 1 per cent decline from US$382.3 billion to US$378.7 billion over the final quarter of 2024, its AUM rose by 13 per cent over the full-year period from US$334.9 billion in 2023.
