New products and changes introduced over the last week include the launch of two ETFs by ETF Securities; an execution service from Russell Investments and Integral; and Gemini Funds partnered with SunGard for enhanced reporting capabilities.
Also, Acquire Real Estate launched an investing platform for individuals; Pershing launched a retirement plan network; Touchstone Investments launched a microsite for advisors, and iBillionaire updated its app and launched a dividend index.
Here are the latest developments of interest to advisors:
1) ETF Securities Adds 2 Funds With Zacks
ETF Securities has announced the launch of two ETFs that are based on Zacks proprietary earnings investment strategies covering U.S. equities. They are ETFS Zacks Earnings Large-Cap U.S. Index Fund (ZLRG) and ETFS Zacks Earnings Small-Cap U.S. Index Fund (ZSML).
ZLRG seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the Zacks Earnings Large-Cap U.S. Index, while ZSML seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the Zacks Earnings Small-Cap U.S. Index. Steps have been taken to help mitigate risk, including high liquidity and capacity screens and a focus on high diversification across sectors and stocks. The combination of the investment strategies with the risk management overlay aims to deliver more consistent total returns at a lower cost.
2) Russell Investments, Integral Add Execution Service
Russell Investments and FX technology company Integral Development Corp. have launched the Russell FX Network, an end-to-end trading solution for the buy-side community for netting, execution and allocation of foreign exchange transactions. RFX Network is designed to help institutional investors including asset managers obtain currency exchange rates that seek to minimize tracking error with respect to the rates published by WM/Reuters.
The network allows buy-side firms to automate execution of complex trade lists in a solution that combines internal netting within an investor's trading portfolio with external matching in the larger buy-side community. Participants have access to advanced netting, process automation and best execution while minimizing market impact of their orders. Investors can place orders electronically into RFX Network or have Russell process them on their behalf.
3) NewOak Adds Non-QM Support Services Platform
Financial advisory firm NewOak has added a non-QM support services platform that provides a range of solutions to address the demands on originators and investors in non-qualified mortgage products to manage increasing regulatory and enforceability risks.
The platform provides a range of targeted offerings, including due diligence and quality assurance consulting services, customizable underwriting applications that ensure accurate and defendable data and work flows, and its mortgage defense package, a proprietary electronic repository of all key documentation and decision-support data needed to defend the loan approval.
4) Gemini Fund Partners with SunGard
Gemini Fund Services, LLC, has announced a partnering with SunGard to provide additional reporting and business process management services to help clients control and monitor their fund portfolios.
SunGard's InvestOne investment accounting and reporting system controls and monitors clients' fund portfolios with reporting features and compliance functionalities. The system offers more than 300 standard reports, as well as report customization tools, on a single database. ControlCenter interfaces with InvestOne as an operational management and monitoring workflow tool that provides a centralized view of fund accounting activity.
