Top Portfolio Products: First Trust ISE Cloud Computing Index Fund; Goldman India and Korea Funds

The fund, which will trade under the symbol EPHAX, is the fifth fund offered by Euro Pacific Asset Management. It attempts to provide capital appreciation and to hedge against inflation over the long term by investing in hard-asset securities as well as currencies that the team believes have the greatest potential for appreciation against the U.S. dollar. As a secondary objective, the fund seeks income from dividends and interest.

The strategy is geared for U.S.-based investors who are concerned about global inflation and the long-term uncertainty of the U.S. dollar. To hedge against these forces, the fund will invest in a basket of hard-asset commodities, such as gold and silver, non-dollar equities in the commodity sector and foreign currencies. These asset classes may also include precious metal mining companies and companies involved in energy, agriculture and the production of industrial metals. The fund may also hold cash denominated in foreign currencies.

4) John Hancock Annuities Enhances Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit

John Hancock Annuities has enhanced its Income Plus For Life optional rider by increasing the deferral credit for newly issued riders to 6% from 5% at age 65 and older.

In addition, John Hancock Annuities has also created new underlying Lifestyle portfolios for exclusive use with the new Income Plus For Life optional rider. The diversified portfolios, designated as the Lifestyle PS Series, are designed for use with an automated asset transfer process under the rider. John Hancock’s proprietary process, the Portfolio Stabilization Process, is designed to help limit equity exposure in response to decreases in contract value during periods of market volatility.

The Income Plus For Life optional rider provides guaranteed lifetime income as early as age 59½, and is available for an additional 1.00% annual fee (max 1.50%). The income guarantees are backed by the claims-paying ability of John Hancock. Income Plus For Life can only be elected at issue, is irrevocable, and may not be available in conjunction with other riders, or in qualified plans.

5) Van Eck Drafts China Private Equity Company ETF

New York-based commodities investment firm Van Eck filed papers on Thursday to launch a China equity ETF that will own A-shares and other classes.

The Market Vectors China Private Company ETF will offer a mix of China A-shares, B-shares, H-shares and so-called Red Chip companies as part of its strategy to track the China Private Company Index, as follows:

• A-shares—traded in renminbi and listed on the Shenzhen and Shanghai stock exchanges
• B-shares—traded in foreign currency on the Shenzhen and Shanghai stock exchanges
• H-shares—companies incorporated in China but denominated in Hong Kong dollars and listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange
• Red Chips—shares of companies controlled by Chinese national or local governmental entities.

Read last week’s Portfolio Products Roundup at AdvisorOne.com.