Pictet Asset Management is deepening its footprint in the U.S. market with the debut of two active ETFs focused on emerging markets.
The Pictet Emerging Markets Debt ETF (EMFI) and the Pictet Emerging Markets Rising Economies ETF (RISE) both launched on April 23, offering advisors targeted tools for global diversification. These funds aim to capture alpha by identifying structurally improving economies and leveraging favorable demographic trends.
Key Takeaways
- EMFI provides exposure to U.S. dollar-denominated debt to capture higher yields while minimizing the impact of local currency volatility.
- RISE targets high-growth nations like India and Brazil while intentionally excluding markets facing demographic headwinds, such as China and South Korea.
- These launches expand Pictet’s U.S. presence, providing advisors with institutional-grade research delivered through the efficient, transparent ETF wrapper.
Leveraging Global Research Through Active ETFs
The new launches come at a time when international investment appetites are shifting. "Pictet may be a fresh face in the ETF ecosystem, but they have long been a titan of thematic and active investing in Europe,” Kirsten Chang, senior industry analyst at VettaFi, said. “With these new launches, the firm is now leveraging its deep emerging markets research to bring institutional-grade strategies to a broader audience through the efficiency of the ETF wrapper.”
EMFI focuses on U.S. dollar-denominated sovereign and corporate debt. By sticking to hard currency, the fund seeks to provide higher yields while mitigating the volatility often associated with local currency fluctuations. Chris Preece, an investment manager at Pictet, said in a statement that emerging markets are currently outperforming developed ones due to more proactive policy frameworks and robust fiscal fundamentals.
RISE offers a distinct equity strategy by targeting high-growth nations like India, Brazil, and South Africa. Notably, the fund excludes China, South Korea, and Taiwan to avoid the demographic headwinds facing those nations. This approach results in a portfolio heavier in Industrials and Financials, offering a reprieve from the tech-heavy concentration of the U.S. market.
Diversifying Beyond Domestic Markets With Active ETFs
“International equity flows have handily outpaced that of the U.S., and emerging EMs have been a powerful engine behind that growth," Chang said. The addition of EMFI and RISE further rounds out a rapidly expanding U.S. suite for Pictet, building on a momentum that began in late 2025.
Following the February of the Pictet AI Enhanced US Equity ETF (PQUS), the firm has demonstrated a commitment to blending thematic innovation with core equity exposure. These newer vehicles join the firm’s inaugural U.S. offerings, which include the the Pictet Cleaner Planet ETF (PCLN), the Pictet AI Enhanced International Equity ETF (PQNT), and the Pictet AI & Automation ETF (PBOT).
To learn more about the AI value chain and related strategies like PBOT, join our discussion “Focused exposure to the AI value-chain” on Monday, April 27, 2026, at 12:30 pm ET. Register here.
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