iShares launched four new fixed-income ETFs and an unusual equity ETF on the pan-European Xetra trading platform.

Xetra parent Deutsche Borse announced that the following funds have debuted on Xetra:

•          iShares Barclays Euro Aggregate - ER of 0.25%
•          iShares Barclays Euro Corporate Bond - ER of 0.20%
•          iShares Barclays Euro Treasury Bond 0-1 - ER of 0.20%
•          iShares Citigroup Global Government Bond - ER of 0.20%
•          iShares MSCI GCC Countries Ex-Saudi Arabia - ER of 0.80%

The focus on fixed-income is not surprising. Fixed-income is the fastest growing segment of the European ETF market, according to new data from Barclays Global Investors. Fixed-income ETF assets nearly doubled from 2007 to 2008, rising from $21 billion to $41 billion. Assets grew slightly in Q1 as well.

As for the equity fund, it is a fairly unique play on a fast-growing market. The GCC fund invests in companies from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, with a focus on the financial sector.

Xetra currently has a total of 450 listed ETFs, making itthe largest ETF listing platform in Europe. It's also the volume leader, with monthly trading volume of 9 billion euros, according to Deutsche Borse.