Top Portfolio Products: AlphaClone Launches International ETF

New products and changes introduced over the last week include an international ETF from AlphaClone; a Dublin-domiciled fund from SPARX Group; an ETF from WisdomTree; two new options from Schwab; and a partnership between Ascent Private Capital Management and Motif Investing.

Also, SS&C launched a beta version of Black Diamond aggregation and reporting capabilities; Informa Investment Solutions added Zephyr Analytics API; Stifel is acquiring Eaton Partners; and MassMutual added a variable annuity.

Here are the latest developments of interest to advisors:

1) AlphaClone Adds International ETF

AlphaClone, Inc. has launched the AlphaClone International ETF (ALFI), which tracks the AlphaClone International Downside Hedged Index.

The index uses AlphaClone's proprietary clone score methodology to continuously score managers based on the efficacy of following their disclosures, then aggregates at least 40 high-conviction American Depository Receipt (ADR) holdings from managers with the highest score. Holdings are weighted based on the number of holders and are adjusted and weighted quarterly at predefined intervals. The index also can vary from long-only to market-hedged when the S&P 500 closes below its 200-day simple moving average at any month's end.

2) Schwab Adds Gateway Data Delivery, Recruitment Playbook

Two additions to options available through Schwab are gateway data delivery through the Schwab OpenView Gateway, which provides actionable Schwab custody account data in Salentica CRM, and the "RIA Talent Advantage Recruitment Playbook," a recruitment resource from Schwab Advisor Services.

Gateway data delivery allows advisors and their staff the ability to make custody account information such as account alerts, balances, positions and account details actionable directly within Salentica CRM. Independent registered investment advisors (RIAs) can use the data to trigger CRM automation events such as CRM workflows and view important account information like cash available within a CRM dashboard.

The playbook includes tools, tips and examples to help advisors through the four key phases of the recruitment process: getting started, sourcing and screening, interviewing and selecting and onboarding and retention.

3) SPARX Group Adds UCITS Fund

Hong Kong-based SPARX Asia Investment Advisors Limited, a subsidiary of the SPARX Group, has launched together with ML Capital the SPARX OneAsia Long Short UCITS Fund, a Pan-Asia market neutral strategy hosted on the MontLake UCITS platform.

The OneAsia investment and research team is led by Hak Kim.

4) Ascent Private Capital Management, Motif Partner on Thematic Portfolios

Ascent Private Capital Management of U.S. Bank has partnered with Motif Investing's new subsidiary, Motif Capital Management, which will be the exclusive manager of thematic portfolios for Ascent's advisors.

The partnership will integrate thematic investing that identifies and acts on specific social, economic, technological and demographic trends in Ascent's wealth management process to preserve multigenerational legacies for Ascent's clients.

5) Black Diamond Aggregation and Reporting Capabilities Beta Launched

SS&C has launched a beta of aggregation and net worth reporting capabilities for the Black Diamond wealth platform through a partnership with financial data science company Quovo.

Quovo aggregation capabilities will supplement Advent's direct data interfaces through Advent custodial data services, which connect with over 800 financial institutions. Black Diamond will now provide advisors with a solution to illustrate a client's complete net worth, including held-away assets and liabilities such as credit card debt, checking and savings accounts, student loan debt and mortgage debt.

6) Informa Investment Solutions Launches Zephyr Analytics API

Informa Investment Solutions has launched Zephyr Analytics API, which enables users to link proprietary, internal or external applications to a statistical library to leverage MPT/PMPT statistics and generate returns-based and asset-allocation analysis.

The Zephyr Analytics API currently offers over 170 statistical calculations. It is sourced from Informa's Zephyr StyleADVISOR and PSN Enterprise solutions, as well as separate account and fund research.

7) Stifel Financial Corp. to Acquire Eaton Partners

Stifel Financial Corp. has agreed to acquire global fund placement agent Eaton Partners, LLC. Eaton's relationships with private equity firms, hedge funds and high-net-worth family offices offers an opportunity for Stifel to leverage its investment banking platform and its HNW private client business, which includes the previously announced Barclays Wealth Americas business upon closing in the fourth quarter of 2015.

Eaton will retain its brand name and will be run as a Stifel company upon closing, which is expected in early January 2016, subject to customary closing conditions. Stifel expects that the transaction will be immediately accretive to earnings.

8) MassMutual Adds Variable Annuity

Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company has launched its MassMutual Capital Vantage variable annuity, which allows individuals to invest in both traditional and nontraditional asset classes including hedged equity, alternatives and tactical allocation strategies.

The MassMutual Capital Vantage variable annuity has a choice of two share classes, B shares and C shares. Each share class has different expense structures.

9) WisdomTree Launches Global Fund

WisdomTree has launched the WisdomTree Global SmallCap Dividend Fund (GSD).

GSD seeks to provide exposure to dividend-paying small-capitalization companies in the U.S., developed and emerging markets.

– Read the Nov. 9 Portfolio Products Roundup at ThinkAdvisor.