New products and changes introduced over the last week include an ETF filing from TrimTabs Asset Management; enhancements to Advizr's online planning platform; and a tax management platform from Scivantage.
In addition, Hartford Funds launched a new program for advisors concerning client needs; Totum Wealth partnered with Quovo on a client account aggregation platform; VanEck cut the expense ratio of an ETF; and First Foundation announced its inclusion in the Russell 2000 Index.
Here are the latest developments of interest to advisors:
1) TrimTabs Files for Fund Clone
TrimTabs Asset Management (TTAM) filed for a new float shrink ETF to replace the AdvisorShares TrimTabs ETF (TTFS), which was managed by TTAM but as of July 1 will be managed by Wilshire and renamed the AdvisorShares Wilshire Buyback Fund.
In its filing, TTAM indicated that the proposed TrimTabs fund will select its components from the Russell 3000 based on how much they have seen their leverage and free float shrink and their free cash flow grow during the preceding 120-day period.
2) Advizr Adds Enhancements to Online Planning Platform
Advizr added five enhancements to its online financial planning platform. They include the Advizr Interactive Smart Model, which produces a first-cut financial plan once the client has completed data discovery; the Advizr Document Vault, accessible to both clients and advisors, which lets clients upload documents such as wills, estate planning documents and financial statements through the client portal; and the Advizr Debt Optimizer, allowing clients and advisors to track student, auto or installment loans, prioritizing them based on interest rates or balances, and including them in an overall financial plan.
Other enhancements are the Advizr Client Dashboard, which tracks client's goals progress and includes live net worth and cash flow statements, and the Advizr Presenter, which allows advisors to present a self-branded financial plan.
3) Scivantage Launches Tax Management Program
Financial technology provider Scivantage launched Sqope Tax, a tax management platform that provides firms with an array of tax analysis and optimization tools.
Designed to help retail investors and advisors gain greater insight and control over the tax impact of investment portfolios, Sqope Tax also assists in retaining assets by minimizing tax liabilities, helping to prevent "leakage" of assets under management due to outflows needed to meet excessive tax payments.
