Northern Trust has launched a new range of exchange traded funds based on indices created and maintained by Markit and Morningstar. 

The FlexShares range is composed of four ETFs: the FlexShares Morningstar Global Upstream Natural Resources Index Fund, FlexShares Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt Index Fund, FlexShares iBoxx 3-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund and the FlexShares iBoxx 5-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund.

The FlexShares Morningstar Global Upstream Natural Resources Index Fund offers exposure to natural resources, focusing on firms with business interests in the early stages of the resource supply chain. The FlexShares Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt Index Fund provides alternative exposure to the US stock market by "tilting" the portfolio to capture the size and value of equity premiums, the firm says. The FlexShares iBoxx 3-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund and the the FlexShares iBoxx 5-Year Target Duration TIPS Index Fund provide investors access to treasury inflation-protected securities at different terms. 

"FlexShares are designed to help construct and manage portfolios that seek to achieve investor goals, while offering all the traditional benefits of ETFs," said Shundrawn Thomas, head of Northern Trust's exchange traded funds group. 

Individual investors can purchase and sell shares through any brokerage firm, financial advisor or online broker.