WisdomTree Restructures 2 Funds: Portfolio Products
In other product news, an impact investment opportunity launched that aims to fix the gender disparity in small business lending.
Effective March 29, the fund names, tickers, investment objectives and investment strategies have changed, and both funds will transition to transparent, models-based actively managed multifactor strategies. The funds’ expense ratios remain unchanged.
The DDEZ fund will now become WisdomTree Europe Multifactor Fund (EUMF). EUMF seeks to achieve income and capital appreciation by investing in European equity securities that exhibit the highest potential for returns based on proprietary measures of factors such as value, quality, momentum and correlation.
DDJP becomes WisdomTree Japan Multifactor Fund (JAMF), which seeks to achieve income and capital appreciation by investing in Japanese equity securities that exhibit the highest potential for returns based on proprietary measures of factors such as value, quality, momentum and correlation.
Both funds seek to manage currency risk by dynamically hedging currency fluctuations against the U.S. dollar, ranging from a 0% to 100% hedge. The hedge ratios are adjusted periodically, utilizing signals such as interest rate differentials, momentum and value.
CNote Launches Wisdom Fund to Close Lending Gap for Women
CNote launched a new impact investment opportunity that aims to fix the gender disparity in small business lending.
According to CNote, less than 5% of small business lending goes to women.
CNote’s new Wisdom Fund funnels money from accredited investors — institutions, funds, foundations, family offices and individuals — into business loans for low- to moderate-income women and women of color.
The loans are provided by nonprofit community lenders with experience delivering the capital and resources that women small business owners need.
The lending partners in the Wisdom Fund’s first phase include Carolina Small Business Development Fund, LiftFund and TruFund.
Investors in the Wisdom Fund will earn an estimated 4% annual return, over a 60-month term, on a loan portfolio that’s diversified across established community development financial institutions (CDFIs).
RealCrowd Invites RIAs to Test Its New Real Estate Investment Software
RealCrowd is launching a test-pilot program for its new technology platform serving independent investment advisors.
Called ReAllocate, the platform will help RIAs provide access to professionally managed direct real estate investments via its risk-based Allocation Intelligence (AI) platform.
The platform will help advisors match investors with risk-appropriate real estate investment opportunities.
ReAllocate’s risk-scoring methodology and matching algorithms transparently align client goals with professionally managed direct real estate investments, identifying risk across five major sectors – the market, the asset, the manager, the capitalization and the partnership structure – to ensure the investments align with the investors’ risk profiles.
ReAllocate is inviting investment and financial advisors to apply for participation in the test program that will allow its team to work with a select few advisors, identifying what RIAs require most to ensure they can provide the best experience for their clients.
MassMutual Launches Holistic Financial Wellness Tool for 401(k) Investors
MassMutual introduced a new workplace financial and benefits planning tool to help workers assess and balance their short- and long-term financial needs.
The MapMyFinances tool, which replaces MassMutual’s MapMyBenefits, is available automatically at no cost through employers that use MassMutual’s 401(k) or other defined contribution retirement plan services, voluntary insurance benefits or both.
The new tool provides users with a personal financial wellness score to help them ascertain their relative financial health and it provides guidance to help prioritize overage choices based on their family situation and budget.
The score is based on answers to a series of questions about budget and personal finances, including retirement savings, healthcare, life insurance and other protection benefits; and debt such as college tuition, credit cards, mortgage, car loans and others.
The tool analyzes the user’s personal financial needs budget and then sets priorities accordingly, creating a to-do list of simple, actionable steps to improve his or her financial wellness score.
FPA Launches a Next Generation Planner Publication
The Financial Planning Association published its first edition of the FPA Next Generation Planner, a monthly app-based publication designed for those who are new to the financial planning profession.
The new publication – available now via the Apple App Store and Google Play Store – provides tailored content to help new planners develop personally and professionally as they advance on their career journey.
The FPA Next Generation Planner focuses on the “how” of financial planning, featuring practical, actionable content across a wide spectrum of topics.
The inaugural edition of the Next Generation Planner dives deeper into a range of topics commonly asked by new planners, including networking advice for new planners from members of the FPA NexGen community and advice on how to build memorable client experience as a foundation to drive a successful marketing strategy.
The publication also addresses the confusion and lack of clarity that many aspiring young planners have after becoming Certified Financial Planner professionals and provides tips for those wanting to learn practical financial planning, regardless of their current role.
— Read the last portfolio product roundup here: Hoya Capital Launches Housing ETF: Portfolio Products