Kristof Gleich and his team are tripling their international ETF lineup, thanks to launches powered by a new, sustainable-investing-focused quant ally from across the pond.

Kristof Marius Gleich Harbor Capital Advisors, Inc. President, Chief Investment Officer

Yesterday, Gleich, president and chief investment officer of Harbor Capital Advisors, Inc. [profile], unveiled the recent launch of the Harbor Osmosis Emerging Markets Resource Efficient ETF (EFFE on the NYSE Arca, Inc.) and the Harbor Osmosis International Resource Efficient ETF (EFFI). Chicago-based Harbor serves as investment advisor to both new funds, while London-based Osmosis Investment Management's U.S. arm serves as the funds' subadvisor.

EFFI's inception date was December 11, 2024, while EFFE debuted a week later, on December 18. EFFE comes with an expense ratio of 78 basis points, while EFFI's is 55bps. As of today, EFFI has $53.204 million in AUM, while EFFE has $3.473 million.

Both EFFE and EFFI are powered by the same two portfolio managers: Robbie Parker, CIO of Osmosis; and Alex Stephen, PM. The Osmosis team uses their proprietary "model of resource efficiency" (MoRE) for stockpicking.

Gleich puts the launch of EFFI and EFFE in the context of Harbor's mission to find "specialized boutiques with a distinct alpha edge" and describes the two new ETFs as offering a compelling "combination of alpha with the potential for a reduced environmental footprint."

"I believe we have found another strong partner to add to our line-up of managers," Gleich states. "EFFI and EFFE offer differentiated, alpha-seeking approaches to international equity investing while aiming to meaningfully lower the portfolio's carbon, water, and waste footprint compared to their benchmarks, the MSCI World ex USA and MSCI Emerging Markets Indices, respectively."

EFFE and EFFI are both actively managed series of Harbor ETF Trust. The new funds' other service providers include: Ernst & Young LLP as independent accounting firm; ACA's Foreside Fund Services, LLC as distributor; and State Street Bank and Trust Company as custodian, dividend disbursing agent, and transfer agent.

With the launch of EFFI and EFFE, the Harbor team now offers 20 ETFs in total, including 3 international ETFs, and the 42-year-old firm also offers traditional mutual funds and CITs. As of September 30, 2024, Harbor had $63.1 billion in AUM. 16-year-old Osmosis had $16.7 billion in AUM as of September 30. 

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