First actively managed ETF combining investment in the global tobacco and nicotine sector with a structured engagement program designed to accelerate the industry’s transition toward reduced-risk products.
NEW YORK and LONDON, May 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Hexis Capital Management today announced the launch of the Hexis Active Nicotine Engagement ETF (NYSE: NICO), an actively managed exchange-traded fund providing investors with exposure to the global tobacco and nicotine sector while actively engaging with portfolio companies to accelerate their transition toward reduced-risk products (RRPs).
NICO is a series of Series Portfolio Trust and was listed on the New York Stock Exchange on May 6, 2026, with a management fee of 0.70%. The Fund has a management fee of 0.7%, is sub-advised by Penserra Capital Management and distributed by Quasar Distributors, LLC.
“For too long, many investors who care about public health have felt forced to exclude the nicotine sector entirely, leaving the pace of industry transformation in fewer hands. That is starting to change. The industry is in the middle of one of the most significant transitions in its history, with reduced-risk categories — particularly tobacco-heating products such as Philip Morris International’s IQOS and nicotine pouches such as PMI’s Zyn brand — now driving a meaningful share of sector growth and valuation. NICO was created to give investors a way to participate in that transition while actively engaging with companies to accelerate it. We believe that engagement, backed by deep sector expertise and a rigorous transition framework, can support both improved investor outcomes and meaningful progress on harm reduction,” said Pieter Vorster, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Hexis Capital Management.
A Differentiated Approach: The Hexis Nicotine Transition Score (HNTS)
At the heart of the Fund is the proprietary Hexis Nicotine Transition Score (HNTS) — a framework built on 27 indicators and 13 sub-indicators that evaluates how effectively each company is transitioning from combustible tobacco to reduced-risk categories, including tobacco-heating systems, nicotine pouches, and vaping products. Approximately 20% of the score incorporates AI-supported indicators, including patent filings, hiring trends, market sentiment, and emerging market exposure.
The HNTS methodology has been independently reviewed by ACA Ethos and is embedded directly into the Fund’s portfolio construction process and its structured engagement program with portfolio companies.
Engagement Led by Industry and Public Health Veterans
The Fund’s engagement program has been designed by Tim Youmans, a globally recognized authority in corporate governance and investor stewardship. Oversight is provided by an independent Harm Reduction Stewardship Council (HRSC), chaired by Dr Derek Yach, who spearheaded development of the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
“Real change in this industry will come from sustained, evidence-based engagement with the companies that hold the most influence over the pace of transition,” said Jonathan Fell, Head of Research and Engagement at Hexis Capital Management. “Our role is to bring rigor and accountability to that conversation, on behalf of investors and in service of better public health outcomes.”
Distribution Policy
The Fund intends to pay dividends from net investment income quarterly and to distribute all net realized capital gains at least annually. The Fund will declare and pay income and capital gain distributions in cash.
About Hexis Capital Management
Hexis Capital Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser specializing in the global tobacco and nicotine sector. The firm’s leadership combines more than 60 years of tobacco and consumer sector research with over 50 years of ETF strategy, distribution, and institutional asset management experience across firms including BlackRock, JPMorgan Asset Management, BNP Paribas, Credit Suisse, UBS, Morgan Stanley, and Deutsche Bank. In the United Kingdom, Hexis Capital Management Limited is an Appointed Representative of Robert Quinn Advisory LLP, which is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. As an Appointed Representative, Hexis Capital Management Limited is responsible for providing investment advisory services to the Fund.
For more information, visit hexis.capital.
Media Contact
IR@hexis.capital
1-800-617-0004
Important Information
Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the Fund carefully before investing. A prospectus containing this and other information about the Fund may be obtained by calling 1-800-617-0004 or visiting https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/1650149/000089418926000623/ck0001650149-20260116.htm#iba9ad9f67c394bdb8e14cbb56e30f773_73. The prospectus should be read carefully before investing.
Investing involves risk. Principal loss is possible. The Fund’s investments will be concentrated in the securities of issuers in the tobacco and nicotine-related group of industries, which is subject to significant risks and uncertainties. The Fund is non-diversified, meaning it may invest a greater percentage of its assets in the securities of a limited number of issuers. The Fund is actively managed and may not meet its investment objective. As a recently organized fund, the Fund has limited operating history. Foreign securities, derivatives, and small- and mid-cap companies carry additional risks. Shares of any ETF are bought and sold at market price (not NAV), are not individually redeemed from the ETF, and brokerage commissions will reduce returns.
The Hexis Active Nicotine Engagement ETF is distributed by Quasar Distributors, LLC.
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SOURCE Hexis Capital Management Limited
