Hartford Funds announced the launch of two low volatility multifactor exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Hartford Multifactor Low Volatility US Equity ETF (LVUS) and Hartford Multifactor Low Volatility International Equity ETF (LVIN) are designed to deliver market-like equity returns while reducing portfolio volatility to help investors achieve their long-term financial goals.
"These strategies arrive at a time when market volatility is top-of-mind for investors," said Darek Wojnar, head of ETFs at Hartford Funds, in a statement. "They were designed to reduce volatility for investors pursuing long-term growth potential while introducing positive exposure to other potentially return-enhancing factors such as value, momentum, quality and size."
The ETFs seek to track indexes, one focused on U.S. equities and the other on developed (ex-U.S.) and emerging markets that are designed to balance risk across sectors and comprise securities primarily exhibiting low volatility characteristics while maintaining positive exposure to other potential return-enhancing factors.
Hartford Multifactor Low Volatility US Equity ETF (LVUS) seeks investment results that, before fees and expenses, correspond to the total return performance of an index that tracks the performance of exchange traded U.S. equity securities.
Hartford Multifactor Low Volatility International Equity ETF (LVIN) seeks investment results that, before fees and expenses, correspond to the total return performance of an index that tracks the performance of companies located in both developed (ex-US) and emerging markets.
The Hartford Multifactor Low Volatility US Equity ETF will carry an expense ratio of 0.29%, while Hartford Multifactor Low Volatility International Equity ETF will carry an expense ratio of 0.39%.
Solactive Introduces Global Infrastructure Low Earnings Volatility Index
Solactive released the Solactive Global Infrastructure Low Earnings Volatility Index, which is used as the underlying index for the Amundi Global Infrastructure UCITS ETF listed for trading on the Euronext Paris stock exchange.
The index tracks the performance of a global portfolio of 100 investable and liquid companies operating in the infrastructure space that exhibit the lowest volatility in reported earnings per share among their peers. Companies included in the index belong to sectors such as telecommunications, transportation, logistics, utilities and energy.
Jefferson National Launches 'Return of Premium Enhanced Death Benefit'
Jefferson National, which is now operating as Nationwide's advisory solutions business, launched a new optional guaranteed Return of Premium Enhanced Death Benefit.
The new ROP Enhanced Death Benefit protects against volatile markets to secure a lasting legacy for clients' heirs and guarantees that assets intended to provide a legacy for an individual, foundation or philanthropy will be protected and passed along. It is available as of May 1st within the Monument Advisor Investment-Only Variable Annuity.
