New products and changes announced over the last week include a reengineered FPA PlannerSearch platform, a long/short fund from AC Alternatives and index changes on two ETFs from Guggenheim Investments. In addition, Allianz Life added enhancements to its fixed indexed universal life insurance and Nasdaq announced 18 new ETFs now trading on its exchanged-traded product platform.
Here are the latest developments of interest to advisors:
1) FPA Launches PlannerSearch
The FPA launched a redesigned and re-engineered FPA PlannerSearch platform, changing the focus from generating new business for planners to driving their visibility across the web. The website provides consumers with educational content while connecting them with planner professionals.
The site, www.PlannerSearch.org, is designed to make it easier for consumers to find planners. Consumers are able to search by zip code, city, state or last name; an advanced search can be performed for areas of specialty, languages spoken, compensation type and other qualifications.
2) AC Alternatives Adds Long/Short Fund
AC Alternatives, the liquid alternatives brand from American Century Investments, launched the AC Alternatives Long Short Fund (ALEVX, investor shares; ALEJX, institutional; ALEQX, A shares; ALEHX, C shares; ALEWX, R shares; and ALEDX, R6 shares).
The multimanager fund uses an open architecture subadvisor approach; its long/short equity strategies seeks long positions in undervalued equities and short positions in overvalued equities issued by companies across all market caps and geographic locations. It has a total expense ratio of 3.33%.
3) Guggenheim Investments Changes Indexes for Two ETFs
Guggenheim Investments changed the underlying indexes for the Guggenheim Spin-Off ETF (CSD) and Guggenheim Timber ETF (CUT) and changed the names of the ETFs as well to reflect the new indexes. The ticker symbols remain the same.