Top Portfolio Products: Actively Managed ETFs From TrimTabs, AdvisorShares, ProShares

Products and changes introduced over the last week include new ETFs from TrimTabs Asset Management, AdvisorShares, ProShares, Advisor Partners and ImpactAssets and an expense ratio cut for three inverse bond ETFs from Direxion.

In addition, Betterment introduced a tax-coordinated portfolio, T. Rowe Price added an automated sales tool for retirement plan advisors; and Mercer added a 401(k) fiduciary solution. Also Quovo released its advisor dashboard and Russell Investments announced it will be adding a qualified default alternative investment (QDIA) option from Envestnet | Retirement Solutions.

Here are the latest developments of interest to advisors:

1) TrimTabs Launches ETF

TrimTabs Asset Management launched the TrimTabs Float Shrink ETF (TTAC), an actively managed ETF focused on generating long-term gains that exceed those of the Russell 3000 Index by selecting approximately 100 companies that are both generating free cash flow and reducing their share count without the use of leverage.

TTAC’s expense ratio is 0.59%, which is lower than the 0.99% fee TrimTabs said it was required to charge under AdvisorShares as a subadvisor for the predecessor fund, AdvisorShares TrimTabs Float Shring ETF (TTFS). AdvisorShares replaced TrimTabs  as subadvisor for the fund at the end of June.

2) AdvisorShares Adds Korea ETF

AdvisorShares launched the AdvisorShares KIM Korea ETF (KOR), providing provide long-term capital appreciation above the capital appreciation of its primary benchmark, the MSCI Korea Index, and other Korea-focused indexes.

KOR has a net expense ratio of 0.99%. The portfolio manager invests primarily in growth-oriented stocks of any capitalization range listed on the Korea Exchange.

3) ProShares Adds Crude Oil ETF

ProShares launched the ProShares K-1 Free Crude Oil Strategy ETF (OILK), which it says is the only crude oil ETF that is not a commodities partnership and therefore does not deliver K-1 tax forms to shareholders. The Schedule K-1, issued for an investment in partnership interests, reports an individual’s share of the partnership’s income, deductions and credits, serving a similar purpose to a Form 1099 and is issued around the same time.

OILK provides exposure to the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil futures market in an actively managed ETF. Its expense ratio is 0.65%.

4) Advisor Partners Adds Dividend Yield Strategy

Advisor Partners launched the Global High Quality Dividend Yield (GHQDY) strategy, which targets a yield premium of 75–100 basis points relative to yields on diversified global equity indexes. The GHQDY strategy will be offered with optional (opportunistic) tax loss harvesting.

For a company to be included in the new global portfolio it must be large, highly and consistently profitable, financially strong and its stock must be liquid and trade at an attractive valuation.

5) ImpactAssets Adds Money Market Alternative

ImpactAssets launched the ImpactAssets Liquid Impact Portfolio, a 100% impact money market alternative that enables investors to “park cash” while benefiting low-income communities.

The ImpactAssets Liquid Impact Portfolio provides the utility of a money market fund with the goal of safety of principal, liquidity and yield, and is available only within the ImpactAssets Giving Fund, a donor-advised fund.

It is constructed of short-term deposits and investments through community development financial institutions, and features laddered maturities across a relatively short duration. The targeted weighted average maturity is less than 180 days. No minimum balance is required.

6) Direxion Cuts Expenses on Three Inverse Bond ETFs