John Hancock Investments has added to it exchange-traded fund lineup with the launch of John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF.
Passive management-giant Dimensional Fund Advisors, known for its strict index adherence and Nobel Laureate advisory board members, was selected to design the underlying equity index.
The ETF (ticker JHMD) trades on the NYSE Arca.
“Adding an ETF focused on international investing is a logical extension of our product line, and we are pleased to be able to bring Dimensional’s proven multifactor approach to investors seeking to invest in international markets,” Andrew G. Arnott, president and CEO of John Hancock Investments, said in a statement.
As the company noted, Dimensional began applying the concept of multifactor investing more than 30 years ago, and today the firm “is one of the most respected managers in the industry. Dimensional’s approach is rooted in decades of academic research into the factors that drive expected returns and they offer a compelling track record of delivering results to investors.”
“The beauty of Dimensional’s philosophy is that it is straightforward and disciplined in its approach, yet so thoughtful and innovative in its implementation,” added Steve L. Deroian, head of ETF strategy at John Hancock Investments. “They are truly an exceptional firm to be able to partner with to deliver solutions to our clients.”
John Hancock Investments has had a relationship with Dimensional and its portfolio management teams since 2006, with strategies offered as both individual John Hancock mutual funds and through John Hancock asset allocation portfolios.
The new international ETF is the 12th ETF John Hancock Investments has developed with Dimensional Fund Advisors in the past 18 months. John Hancock Investments’ previous launches include U.S. large- and mid-cap portfolios and a range of sector-specific offerings.