ETF News You Missed This Week - Feb. 23 - Feb. 27, 2026

ETF Launches

International Value Goes Active

Brown Advisory has expanded its active ETF lineup with the Brown Advisory International Value Select ETF (BAIV). BAIV brings a behavioral, data-driven value lens to developed and emerging market equities outside the U.S. Led by former Schroders portfolio manager Nick Kirrage, the strategy hunts for companies trading below intrinsic value, leaning into mispricing rather than momentum. For allocators looking to complement U.S. exposure with disciplined international stock selection, BAIV positions itself as a high-conviction satellite or diversifier.

AI as Alpha Engine

Pictet Asset Management has introduced the Pictet AI Enhanced US Equity ETF (PQUS), an actively managed large-cap strategy powered by proprietary AI and machine learning models.

PQUS targets consistent alpha with low tracking error, focusing on stock-specific signals while aiming to limit drawdowns. It complements Pictet’s international AI strategy, offering U.S. exposure for investors who want quantitative precision without straying too far from benchmark risk profiles.

Core Equity With a Twist

Several launches this week reimagine what “core” equity means.

Exchange Traded Concepts, in partnership with II Technology, rolled out the ARMOR Core Risk-Managed ETF (RMRC) on NYSE Arca. RMRC provides exposure across all 11 S&P 500 sectors but overlays a proprietary risk system that dynamically adjusts allocations based on volatility and correlations. The goal is not to chase returns, but to stay inside a defined risk budget.

ETC also teamed up with MIG Capital to launch the MIG Core ETF (MIGO), focused on high-quality U.S. large-cap companies with durable long-term growth characteristics. Where RMRC emphasizes volatility management, MIGO leans into research-driven business quality as a foundational allocation.

Concentration Meets Cash Flow

VistaShares launched the VistaShares Target 15™ TEPRTantrum Contrarian Distribution ETF (TPRY), trading on NYSE.

TPRY tracks the top 20 U.S.-listed holdings disclosed in 13F filings by David Tepper’s Appaloosa Management, pairing that concentrated equity sleeve with an options overlay targeting roughly 15% annual income, distributed monthly. It blends star-manager replication with engineered cash flow, a structure increasingly popular in yield-hungry markets.

Structured Outcome Innovation Accelerates

First Trust debuted the FT Vest Laddered Autocallable Barrier & Income ETF (ACYN), offering exposure to synthetic autocallable contracts in a laddered format to smooth timing risk and diversify maturities.

First Trust also launched the FT Vest U.S. Equity Dual Directional Buffer ETF – February (DLFE). Using FLEX options tied to SPY, DLFE offers a capped upside of 12.40% over its outcome period ending February 2027, with a defined buffer structure in down markets.

Meanwhile, Innovator ETFs introduced four Managed Buffer ETFs. XBFR, NBFR, KBFR and IBFR. Sub-advised by Parametric, the funds target a 10 to 14% downside buffer with 80 to 90% upside participation over a rolling one-year period, without hard return caps.

Income Through Options: Sector and Single-Stock

YieldMax added the Strategic Metals & Mining Portfolio Option Income ETF (MINY) on NYSE. Managed by Tidal Investments, MINY applies options strategies to companies tied to strategic metals and mining, seeking current income in a commodity-linked equity sleeve.

REX Shares launched the REX Growth & Income Universe ETF (GIF), a fund-of-funds providing equal-weighted exposure to nine single-stock Growth & Income ETFs. These underlying strategies target approximately 1.25x equity exposure and write covered calls on about half the portfolio to generate weekly income. GIF packages tech, crypto, healthcare and retail exposures into one income-oriented wrapper.

Target Maturity High Yield

State Street Investment Management expanded its lineup with five State Street® MyIncome High Yield Corporate Bond ETFs. My2027 (MYHA), My2028 (MYHB), My2029 (MYHC), My2030 (MYHD) and My2031 (MYHE).

These actively managed, target maturity ETFs are designed for bond ladder strategies. Each aims to liquidate around December 15 of its maturity year, offering defined timelines while managing liquidity and credit risk in the high yield space.

Flexible and Rules-Based Bond Solutions

Invesco launched four new bond ETFs. The actively managed Invesco Flexible Income ETF (FLXI) and Invesco Agency MBS ETF (IMTG), alongside index-tracking Invesco Treasury Duration Rotation ETF (TROT) and Invesco U.S. Hybrid Bond ETF (HBRD).

Together, they expand Invesco’s fixed income toolkit across duration management, mortgage exposure, hybrid structures and flexible mandates. The emphasis is clear. Give investors more levers to navigate rate uncertainty.

Systematic Trend in Bonds

Chesapeake Capital entered the ETF market with the Chesapeake Trend-Following Fixed Income ETF (TFFI).

TFFI applies a systematic long-term trend model across global fixed income markets, taking long and short positions via futures, ETFs and options. With at least 80% exposure to fixed income and the potential use of leverage, it brings managed futures DNA into a bond-centric wrapper.

Cryptocurrency: Regulated Access Expands

21Shares launched the 21Shares Spot SUI ETF (TSUI). The ETF offers unleveraged exposure to the Sui blockchain with a 0.30% fee, expanding regulated access to the Layer 1 ecosystem through standard brokerage accounts.

CoinShares introduced the CoinShares Physical Hyperliquid Staking ETP (LIQD) on Xetra. The product provides physically backed exposure to the HYPE token, charges a 0% management fee and offers a 0.5% annual staking yield.

For institutional investors in Europe, it reflects the ongoing convergence between decentralized finance mechanics and exchange-listed vehicles.

ETF Filings

Kurv Targets Global Memory Leaders

Kurv Investment Management filed for the Kurv AI Memory ETF. The actively managed, non-diversified strategy would invest at least 80% in global memory-related equities and derivatives tied to DRAM, NAND, SRAM, flash and emerging technologies. The fund may use options and swaps for exposure, with remaining assets allocated to investment-grade and high-yield bonds and preferred securities.

It is a focused bet on the hardware backbone of AI.

Tuttle Doubles Down on Memory

Tuttle Capital Management filed two separate vehicles.

The Tuttle Capital Memory Stack Income Blast ETF (MEMO) is designed to generate weekly income using a systematic put credit spread strategy while maintaining at least 80% exposure to memory-related companies.

The Tuttle Capital Concentrated Memory Stack ETF (MEMC) would target 20 to 35 “pure play” memory semiconductor stocks tied to DRAM, NAND, HBM and advanced packaging, using derivatives where needed for targeted exposure.

One product leans into income engineering. The other into concentrated growth exposure.

Pre-IPO and Private Tech. With Income Overlays

Kurv Files SpaceX, OpenAI and Anthropic Income ETFs

Kurv also filed enhanced income ETFs tied to SpaceX (SPAX), OpenAI (OPAI) and Anthropic. These companies have reportedly explored IPO paths, though none are publicly listed equities today.

The proposed funds would gain exposure through options and synthetic long positions, backed by actively managed fixed income and preferred securities. Strategies include covered calls, spreads and collars, with derivatives potentially reaching up to 200% of NAV. All three would be non-diversified and industry concentrated.

It is effectively pre-IPO proxy exposure, wrapped in an options-driven income structure.

HALO and Heavy Assets. Infrastructure as Defense

Roundhill Files HALO Infrastructure Equity ETF

Roundhill Investments filed for the Roundhill HALO ETF, tracking an index of U.S. companies with high tangible asset intensity and low perceived risk of technological obsolescence. Utilities, energy infrastructure, transportation and industrial facilities feature prominently. The market-cap-weighted index would rebalance quarterly.

Tuttle Files Heavy Asset ETF

Tuttle also filed the Tuttle Capital Heavy Asset Low Obsolescence ETF (HALX). The strategy would track a proprietary HALO-style index selecting 30 to 50 U.S.-listed companies based on a multi-factor “HALO Score,” emphasizing infrastructure and durable asset-backed cash flows.

The message is clear. In an AI-driven world, hard assets still matter.

India Exposure: Momentum and Conviction

360 ONE Asset filed two distinct India-focused ETFs.

The 360 ONE India Select ETF (INSL) would apply a rule-based thematic momentum strategy across the top 200 NSE and BSE stocks, rebalancing semiannually to maximize one-year momentum exposure.

The 360 ONE India Conviction ETF (INCN) would run a concentrated 25 to 30 stock portfolio using a fundamental, business cycle-driven approach.

One systematic. One discretionary. Both signal continued appetite for India allocations.

Ultra-Small to Aggressive Factor Tilts

EA Advisers and Bridgeway Capital Management filed several products:

• EA Bridgeway Ultra-Small Company Market ETF, targeting sub-$1 billion market cap stocks.
• EA Bridgeway Select Small-Cap Value ETF, focused on companies under $15 billion using Quality, Value and Sentiment factors.
• EA Bridgeway Aggressive Investors ETF, a multi-factor strategy emphasizing downside risk management.

All incorporate ESG data but do not make it determinative. The focus remains statistical stock selection at the smallest end of the market.

Dividend and Income. Still a Core Theme

Multiple issuers are reinforcing dividend growth and income strategies.

• Integrity Dividend Harvest ETF, filed by Viking Fund Management, would emphasize dividend-paying stocks, including companies with 10 plus years of consecutive increases.
• Raub Brock Dividend Growth ETF, from Raub Brock Capital Management, would focus on large caps with at least five years of dividend growth.
• Zacks Income ETF (ZINC) and Zacks Preferred Income ETF (PRIZ), filed by Zacks Investment Management, would target high dividend equities and preferred securities respectively.
• Humilis filed four active equity ETFs spanning dividend growth, large-cap core, large-cap value and SMID growth strategies.

Despite all the structural innovation, straightforward income remains a foundational allocation.

Trend and Tactical Allocation

Ritholtz Wealth Management filed the Goaltender ETF (GTND), a monthly trend-following U.S. equity strategy that can rotate into T-bills or low-volatility stocks when moving averages signal risk-off conditions.

Significance Capital filed the Significance Capital Enhanced Alpha ETF, rotating among Defensive, Growth/Momentum and Cyclical/Value styles based on proprietary signals.

iShares filed the iShares Flexible Equity Active ETF (BFLX), a global long/short strategy maintaining net long exposure while using derivatives extensively, including commodities via a Cayman subsidiary.

Active management is clearly reclaiming ground within the ETF wrapper.

Structured Outcome and Autocallable Expansion

ProShares filed three laddered autocallable income ETFs tied to the S&P 500, Russell 2000 and Nasdaq-100. Each would replicate hypothetical three-year notes with 35% barriers and staggered maturities, using swaps for exposure and targeting high monthly income.

Corgi Funds filed both laddered buffer ETFs and 72 structured one-year buffer ETFs tied to SPY, QQQ and other major benchmarks. Buffers range from 10% to 100% at the underlying level. Outcome periods stretch from late 2026 into 2028.

The structured ETF arms race continues.

Inverse, Commodities and Building Blocks

Portfolio Building Block filed a broad suite:

• Global Consumer Staples ETF
• USA Banks ETF
• World ex US Industrials ETF
• 1X Inverse US Value Daily Target ETF
• 1X Inverse Developed Markets ex US Daily Target ETF

The firm also filed sector-specific and inverse strategies aimed at modular portfolio construction.

United States Commodity Funds filed the USCF Iron Ore Index Fund (ORE), tracking SGX-listed iron ore futures via a Cayman subsidiary.

Corgi also filed six passive Treasury and bond ETFs across T-bills and corporate credit ranges.

The toolkit approach to portfolio construction is expanding in every direction.

Leveraged Single-Stock and Thematic Firepower

Leverage Shares filed dozens of new leveraged products, including 2X, 3X and even 5X daily long ETFs covering single stocks, Treasuries, broad equity indexes and thematic exposures such as AI, semiconductors, uranium and quantum computing.

Tradr ETFs filed 2X long and 2X short daily ETFs tied to Anthropic, Revolut and Ledger, seeking ±200% of daily moves.

These are tactical trading tools. Reset daily. Designed for short holding periods. Volatility is not a side effect. It is the feature.

Other ETF Developments

Fee Pressure Builds in Credit

State Street Lowers Costs on Public and Private Credit

State Street Investment Management reduced expenses on two credit ETFs effective February 26, 2026.

• SPDR® SSGA IG Public & Private Credit ETF (PRIV) drops from 0.70% to 0.55%.
• State Street® Short Duration IG Public & Private Credit ETF (PRSD) declines from 0.59% to 0.45%.

In a segment where private credit exposure inside an ETF wrapper remains under scrutiny, pricing is now part of the competitive narrative.

Madison Trims Active Bond Fees

Madison Investments will cut management fees on:

• Madison Aggregate Bond ETF (MAGG) from 0.40% to 0.36%.
• Madison Short Term Strategic Income ETF (MSTI) from 0.40% to 0.36%.

Effective March 2, 2026, the reductions reinforce how active fixed income ETFs are steadily compressing costs as assets scale.

Branding and Exchange Shifts

State Street Rebrands SPDR Lineup

State Street will rename several SPDR ETFs between late February and early March 2026. The SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust will adopt revised fund and benchmark naming effective February 24.

Additional funds including ALLW, DECO, HECO, TEKX, PRIV and CERY will replace “SPDR” branding with “State Street” effective March 1. Tickers remain unchanged. The move signals a broader brand alignment under the State Street banner.

Direxion Standardizes Naming

Direxion will replace the word “Shares” with “ETF” across its lineup effective February 27, 2026. Tickers and strategies are unaffected. The update simplifies product naming in a leveraged and inverse suite that continues to expand.

BlackRock Moves Listings to NYSE

BlackRock shifted primary listings for four iShares ETFs, GMMF, PMMF, SGOV and SHV, to the New York Stock Exchange as of February 23, 2026.

The operational change requires no shareholder action and is aimed at maintaining market quality and liquidity.

Corporate Actions. Reverse Splits and Sub-Advisors

Direxion Reverse Splits on Bear ETFs

Direxion will implement 1-for-10 reverse splits for:

• Direxion Daily MU Bear 1X ETF (MUD)
• Direxion Daily TSLA Bear 1X ETF (TSLS)

The splits occur after market close on March 9, 2026, with trading on a split-adjusted basis beginning March 10. Shares outstanding fall by 90%, NAV rises proportionally, and total shareholder value remains unchanged aside from fractional share redemptions.

Hedgeye Steps Into KSPY

Hedgeye Asset Management has been named sub-advisor to the KraneShares Hedgeye Hedged Equity Index ETF.

KSPY tracks the Hedgeye Hedged Equity Index, combining S&P 500 exposure with dynamic options hedging driven by proprietary Risk Range™ signals. The ETF is now available on the LPL Financial platform, expanding its advisor distribution footprint.

Liquidations. Leveraged Names Exit

Tradr ETFs will liquidate four leveraged single-stock ETFs:

• 2X Long BLSH (BLSX)
• 2X Long DASH (DASX)
• 2X Long CELH (CELT)
• 2X Short LCID (LCIZ)

Trading and creations end March 13, 2026, with liquidation expected around March 20. Shareholders will receive cash at NAV. As with many leveraged closures, portfolios may transition to cash ahead of the final date, which can affect performance in the wind-down period.

Milestones. Active ETFs Gain Ground

WCPB Crosses $150 Million

The Weitz Core Plus Bond ETF (WCPB) has surpassed $150 million in assets just six months after launch. The actively managed strategy applies a research-driven core plus approach across fixed income sectors, emphasizing disciplined credit selection and risk management.

For a relatively new entrant, asset gathering at this pace signals steady advisor adoption.

DUSA Tops $1 Billion

The Davis Select U.S. Equity ETF (DUSA) has exceeded $1 billion in AUM. Launched in 2017, it stands among the earlier active equity ETFs and was the best-performing large-cap value ETF in 2025. Alongside the Davis Select Financial ETF (DFNL), it holds a four-star Morningstar rating.

The milestone underscores a broader shift. Active equity ETFs are increasingly used as core allocations rather than niche satellites.

ETF Infrastructure and Industry Consolidation

BlackRock Expands Citi Mandate

BlackRock appointed Citi Investor Services to provide select middle office functions for $4 trillion in U.S.-domiciled iShares ETFs via Aladdin. Citi already provides custody, fund administration and transfer agency services. The expanded role is designed to streamline order lifecycles and improve transparency around ETF baskets and settlement.

ETF scale now requires institutional-grade plumbing behind the scenes.

Victory Capital Makes Bid for Janus Henderson

Victory Capital has proposed a fully financed $57.04 per share offer for Janus Henderson, consisting of $30 in cash plus 0.350 Victory shares. The bid represents a 37% premium to the unaffected price and would leave Janus holders owning roughly 38% of the combined firm. Victory cites $500 million in synergies and lower leverage than competing proposals.

While not ETF-specific, the deal highlights continued consolidation among asset managers competing for scale, distribution and operating leverage in a fee-compressed environment.

Please note this article is for information purposes only and does not in any way constitute investment advice. It is essential that you seek advice from a registered financial professional prior to making any investment decision.