International funds

Global exchange-traded funds and exchange-traded products last month experienced outflows for the first time in two years losing $3.98 billion.

The TCW Group has launched the TCW Emerging Markets Multi-Asset Opportunities Fund (TGMAX/TGMEX), which will bet on sovereign and corporate bonds denominated in U.S. dollars, local currency debt and equities.

New York-based Emerging Global Advisors has launched the EGShares Emerging Markets Dividend Growth ETF (EMDG), which the firm is touting as the first emerging markets dividend growth exchange-traded fund.

Broadridge Financial Solutions has agreed to acquire Bonaire Software Solutions, a provider of fee calculation, billing, and revenue and expense management solutions for asset managers including institutional asset managers, wealth managers, mutual funds, bank trusts, hedge funds and capital markets firms.

Last year, global asset managers experienced their highest operating margins since 2007, according to a new survey by consultant Casey Quirk and research shop McLagan.

Direxion has launched two leveraged exchange-traded funds that track Japanese equity market performance.

Little Silver, NJ-based WBI Investments has added two mutual funds to its lineup: the WBI Absolute Return Balanced Plus Fund (WBPNX, WBBPX) and the WBI Absolute Return Dividend Income Fund (WBDNX, WBDIX), bringing the fund family to four funds.

BMO Financial Group is branching out its institutional asset management business in Melbourne, Australia, operating as BMO Global Asset Management. The new office will focus on institutional sales.

Artisan Partners has launched a new active equity fund, Artisan Global Small Cap Fund (ARTWX), which will bet on small-cap stocks without regional contraints.

Milwaukee-based Direxion Funds is currently prepping the Direxion Long/Short Global Currency Fund to launch within the next few months.

Franklin Buys Remaining Stake in Alt Shop

Invesco PowerShares Capital Management has launched the PowerShares Global Short Term High Yield Bond Portfolio (PGHY) on the NYSE Arca.

iShares has launched the iShares MSCI Colombia Capped ETF (ICOL) to bet on companies in the burgeoning region.

Global asset managers are looking to get their investment data management house in order, according to a study released by DST Global Solutions.

A new Portland, Ore.-based investment shop has bagged its first sub-advisory mandate courtesy of its affiliate.

Nuveen Investments is currently prepping the Nuveen Global Tactical Opportunities Plus Fund to launch within the next few months, according to a regulatory filing.

Santa Fe, N.M.-based Thornburg Investment Management, a $87 billion asset manager, has established an office in London, first overseas office opened by U.S.-based TIM.

Beijing, China-Harvest Fund Management is taking a stab at the U.S. market with the launch of New York-based Harvest Krane, which will distribute China and Asia-focused mutual funds to institutional and retail investors in the U.S.

The TCW Group has expanded its distribution efforts in Europe and Asia, with the opening of new TCW offices in Paris and Hong Kong.

One year after the "untimely" death of Richard Aster, founder of Larkspur, Calif.-based Aster Capital Investment Management, the investment advisor is selling off its assets.