John Hancock eyes launching actively managed ETFs

John Hancock Funds LLC will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission in the next few weeks plans to launch actively managed exchange-traded funds, according to an official at the firm. Specifically, the fund firm plans to file for an actively managed ETF that mirrors its lifestyle funds, said the official, who asked not to be identified. When asked to confirm Hancock's plans, Keith Hartstein, president and chief executive of the fund unit, said it is discussing launching actively managed ETFs, but declined to elaborate on the firm's plans, since Hancock hasn't yet filed with the SEC. “There is nothing that leads me to believe that actively managed ETFs are going to be successful,” Mr. Hartstein said, noting that these funds are still very new to the market and haven't garnered much in assets yet. But with the potential for increased regulation over the point-of-sale disclosure that firms have to make when selling mutual funds, actively managed ETFs may gain in favor since they won't likely fall under these rules, Mr. Hartstein said. “I want to be positioned so that I don't get caught short,” Mr. Hartstein said, explaining why the firm is discussing launching actively managed ETFs.