What's new

Reported by Susan Hely

BY MARIA BEKIARIS AND EMI BERRY

MONEY MAGAZINE, FEBRUARY EDITION

Three new ETFs launched - From metals to sugar and soy

BetaShares, winner of Money’s Best Innovative Product award for its US dollar ETF, has three new ETFs. The Commodities Basket ETF, Currency Hedged (ASX code QCB) tracks 24 commodities including six energy, seven metals, eight agricultural and three livestock commodities. The BetaShares Agriculture ETF, Currency Hedged (QAG) tracks the S&P GSCI Agriculture Enhanced Select Index (major commodities – corn, wheat, soybeans and sugar). The Copper Index ETF, Currency Hedged (QCP) tracks the S&P GSCI North American Copper Index.

“In just over 12 months, BetaShares will have launched 10 ETFs on the ASX ... making accessible previously difficult-to-access asset classes or indices,” says the head of investment strategy at BetaShares, Drew Corbett.

New property trust

Cromwell Property Group’s new unlisted property trust – the Cromwell Ipswich City Heart Trust – aims to raise up to $49.25 million to buy land and fund construction of a state-of-the-art environmentally friendly building in the heart of Ipswich. Cromwell says the trust aims to provide investors with a minimum distribution yield of 7.75%pa, paid monthly over the seven-year term, and capital growth potential. The Queensland Department of Public Works has agreed to lease 91% of the lettable area for 15 years. Minimum investment is $10,000.

Discount deferred

One of our Top Tips for 2012 (December issue) was recently deferred until 2013-14. The 50% tax discount on interest from deposits with banks, credit unions, building societies, bonds, debentures and annuity products has been pushed back until July 1, 2013.

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