iShares Launches Short Maturity Bond ETF
A press release entitled, "iShares Launches Short Maturity Bond ETF," says, "BlackRock, Inc. announced today that its iShares Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) business, the world's largest manager of ETFs, has expanded its range of bonds ETFs with the launch of iShares Short Maturity Bond ETF (BATS: NEAR). This actively-managed ETF seeks to maximize income through diversified exposure to short-term bonds, primarily of investment grade. The slow, steady growth of the U.S. economy combined with the possibility of the Fed winding down its bond-buying program has resulted in continued interest rate uncertainty for investors. iShares Short Maturity Bond ETF seeks to reduce investors' exposure to rising interest rates relative to longer duration bond portfolios by maintaining an effective duration of less than one year. The ETF also aims to help investors navigate the current low yield environment by providing exposure to a diversified portfolio of short term, primarily investment grade bonds." The release quotes Matthew Tucker, Head of iShares Fixed Income Investment Strategy, "Investors have traditionally looked to bonds to add diversity, stability and income into their portfolios. But as large areas of the bond market offer little or no yield, and with a period of rising rates likely ahead of us, investors have been rethinking their fixed income portfolio." The release adds, "iShares Short Maturity Bond ETF invests across a broad spectrum of short term fixed income securities with an average duration of one year or less. The fund is managed by BlackRock's Short Duration Portfolio Team, led by Thomas Musmanno, CFA, with more than 20 years' experience managing fixed income portfolios and $55.2 billion under management across multiple products."
