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New Book Encourages Investors to Join The “Index Revolution”
Charley Ellis’ new book “The Index Revolution: Why Investors Should Join It Now” discusses how the investment landscape has changed and how investors are better served with passive, indexed strategies than active management. A few stats investors should consider: Trading volume on the New York Stock Exchange increased from three million to five billion shares daily over the past 50 years. The dollar value of trading in derivatives rose... -
ETF Model SolutionsTM Named Finalist for 2016 Wisconsin Innovation Awards
August 4, 2016. APPLETON, Wis.—ETF Model SolutionsTM has been named a finalist for the Wisconsin Innovation Awards for the development of its automated investment service, www.MyRoboAdviser. com. MyRoboAdviser.com is an online investment service that provides automated, goals-based investment advice directly to individuals through any internet-connected device. MyRoboAdviser.com was created for millennials and digitally-connected individuals who are increasingly using digital apps. The service provides automated: Account creation Account funding Portfolio management... -
A Look at Managed Futures
In a recent article on Bloomberg.com, Ye Xie discusses one winner in the Brexit rout. Over the past few days, managed futures funds were one of the few investment classes to boast positive returns. One fund, AQR Managed Futures Strategy Fund, rallied 6.3% over the past 2 days (as of June 27, 2016). What are managed futures? Managed Futures are an example of an alternative investment which adds diversification... -
MassMutual will pay $31M for 401(k) lawsuit
Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. will pay nearly $31 million to settle a lawsuit claiming that it mismanaged its 401(k) plan, according to recently filed court documents ( Gordan v. Mass. Mutual Life Ins. Co. , D. Mass., No. 3:13-cv-30184, motion for preliminary settlement approval filed 6/15/16 ). The lawsuit, filed in 2013 by a proposed class of more than 14,000 plan participants, alleged that MassMutual and its top... -
ETF Model SolutionsTM Recognized As Finalist For 2016 WealthManagement.com Awards
APPLETON, Wis, June 21, 2016 / PRNewswire/– ETF Model SolutionsTM has been honored as a finalist for the WealthManagement.com Industry Awards in the “Asset Manager-ETF Strategist” category for 2016. WealthManagement.com’s Awards Program recognizes firms that are contributing to advisor success in various categories. By acknowledging outstanding achievement in the industry, the Awards seek to inspire innovation and leadership among industry participants, creating an environment that will enable the industry... -
ETF Model SolutionsTM ETF Spotlight: Low Volatility ETFs
Recently, low volatility ETFs have become increasingly popular. The PowerShares S&P 500 Low Volatility Portfolio (SPLV, $41.19 – NYSEArca) invests in the top 100 S&P 500 stocks that have been least volatile for the trailing 12 months. SPLV seeks to alleviate downside risk and the opportunity to participate in rising markets. However, low volatility ETFs like SPLV aren’t just for risk-averse investors. Over the last 25+ years, low volatility... -
More Collective Investment Trusts Being Added to DC Plans
There are now over 3,200 collective investment trusts (CITs) tracked in the Morningstar CIT database, collectively holding nearly $2 trillion according to a recent article that appeared on WealthManagement.com. That’s up from $896 billion in 2008. Callan Associates estimates that 71% of DC include at least one CIT in their plan up from 60% and 52% in 2014 and 2013, respectively Why are CITs becoming more popular? Reasons included... -
Of Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials and Gen Z
Interesting facts on America’s generational dynamics from recent WSJ blog: Generational Definitions: Greatest Generation (born before 1928) Silent Generation (born between 1928-1945) Baby Boomers (born between 1946-1964) Generation X (born between (1965-1980) Millennials (born between 1981-1997) Generation Z ( those born after 1997) A few interesting facts on how our population is evolving: Millennials now outnumber baby boomers Generation Z is expected to surpass baby boomers and become the second largest... -
DC Plans Slow to Adopt Liquid Alts…But Why?
A recent article on Wealth Management.com titled “Liquid Alts in DC Plans? Don’t Hold Your Breath” discusses the relatively slow adoption of Liquid Alts by defined contribution (DC) Plans relative to what Defined Benefit Plans (DB) have done. The arguments for liquid alts, as the article presents, include managing return and risk management, managing volatility, potentially greater diversification, and a strategy less sensitive to broader equity and fixed income... -
Prateek Mehrotra discusses the Endowment Model of Investing with Institutional Real Estate Inc
Prateek Mehrotra, CIO of ETF Model SolutionsTM,and our affiliate, Endowment Wealth ManagementTM, was interviewed this week by Institutional Real Estate Inc. In the discussion, Prateek talks about the history of the Endowment Model and how the Endowment IndexTM was constructed. Listen to the podcast. The podcast is for information purposes only and should not be considered personalized investment advice. Investments involve risk of loss and may fluctuate in value. You should...