EQM Capital, a San Diego–based registered investment advisory firm, has launched an ETF Model Portfolio platform for advisors and individual investors. The firm will launch a series of asset-based and risk-based ETF model portfolios, powered by Riskalyze’s client risk assessments.
The firm is fund-agnostic when it comes to which ETFs to use in the models.
“EQM Capital uses a proprietary process to clearly identify the most qualified ETFs suitable for inclusion in their ETF models,” the firm said, in a statement. “Informed by EQM’s macro viewpoint, the ETF universe is quantitatively screened on a variety of factors and the ETF Models are optimized and aligned on a risk-reward basis.”
EQM is also the company behind EQM Indexes, the index provider for the Adasina Social Justice Index. EQM Indexes also recently partnered with YourStake to use the startup’s ESG and socially responsible investing data to build new ESG-based indexes.
EQM says the model portfolio platform will expand access and distribution for its index products.
IndexIQ’s New Thematic Funds to Donate to Nonprofits
IndexIQ, a subsidiary of New York Life Investments, has expanded its line of thematic ESG funds with the launch of three ETFs: IQ Engender Equality ETF (NYSE Ticker: EQUL), IQ Clean Oceans ETF (NYSE Ticker: OCEN), and IQ Cleaner Transport ETF (NYSE Ticker: CLNR).
Each ETF is partnered with a nonprofit organization, and will donate 10% of their management fees to the cause.
EQUL will contribute to Girls Who Code, a nonprofit dedicated to closing the gender gap in technology. OCEN will donate to Oceana, the international advocacy organization focused on ocean conservation. And CLNR will contribute to the National Wildlife Federation, a U.S. conservation organization.
All three funds charge an expense ratio of 45 basis points.
Veteran Hedge Fund Manager Converts Flagship Fund to Mutual Fund
Veteran hedge fund manager Salem Abraham has converted his flagship Abraham Fortress Fund LP into a mutual fund, giving retail investors access to Abraham’s previously private investment strategy.
Abraham, who lives in the small Texas town of Canadian, launched his firm, Abraham Trading Company, in January 1990 as a commodity futures investment company.
“Every investor deserves institutional-quality investments,” Abraham said, in a statement. “As a company with over three decades in the investment space, the mutual fund conversion allows us to share our 33 years of experience with both retail and institutional investors alike.”
The Abraham Fortress Fund is a multiasset strategy, investing in traditional equity and fixed income with diversifying investments in third-party investment funds.
The fund charges a 50 basis point management fee.
“We want to bring the same care and professional management to an individual investor’s retirement portfolio as we would to a large college endowment. We believe investors should be carefully evaluating their equity exposure, especially now,” Abraham added.
Second Bitcoin Futures ETF Goes Live
ProShares was the first out of the gate last week with a bitcoin futures ETF with the debut of the ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF, but Valkyrie Funds followed closely, announcing that its Bitcoin Strategy ETF (Nasdaq: BTF) started trading last Friday.
Valkyrie’s fund aims to track the value of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange Bitcoin futures.
The firm says it’s the first in a planned suite of ETFs Valkyrie plans to launch in the blockchain and digital asset space.