What’s new with fund producers

Advisor’s Edge regularly lists significant changes in the Canadian investment product landscape. Here are some of the newly released funds.

• • TD Asset Management Inc. has launched a multi-strategy alternative fund for clients looking for low volatility. Launched on November 1, TD’s alternative risk-focused pool invests primarily in other TD funds and may use leverage, short selling and lending. It allows clients to “enrich their traditional portfolio through exposure to both conventional and alternative investment strategies,” said Michael Craig, managing director and head of asset allocation and derivatives at TDAM. The fund is intended for clients seeking “the lower level of volatility typically associated with fixed income investments,” the release reads. Management fees are 1.55% for Series A and 0.8% for Series F. The risk rating is low.
  • iA Financial Group announced the model’s “exclusive Canadian” launch Wellington Board a segregated fund using a contrarian approach. Launched on October 24, the Global Equity Opportunistic Value (Wellington) program aims to identify high-potential companies around the world that are sometimes overlooked by other investors. The risk rating is low to moderate and the portfolio manager is Massachusetts-based Wellington Management. The fund is available in the Classic 75/75 and 75/100 series of the IAG Savings and Pension Plan and in Moje Zdrowia+. Fees range from 2.70% to 2.95% for Classic Series 75/75, an IA spokesperson said in an email.
  • On October 24, iA also launched four ESG segregated funds. All four are available in the Classic 75/75 and 75/100 series of the IAG Savings and Pension Plan, as well as My Education+, with fees ranging from 2.70% to 2.95%. for the Classic 75/75 series.
    • Sustainable Canadian Equity, whose portfolio manager is Industrial Alliance Investment Management Inc. (iAIM), uses an ESG theme and invests primarily in Canadian companies with “best practices” in sustainable investing and has a moderate risk rating.
    • The Sustainable Balanced Portfolio, managed by iAIM, seeks a 50/35/15 fixed income/Canadian equities/global equities split and uses ESG analysis. The risk assessment is low to moderate.
    • Fidelity Climate Leadership Balanced, managed by Faithful investments — a 60/40 combination of the Fidelity Climate Leadership Fund and the Fidelity Climate Leadership Bond Fund — aims to provide exposure to the global decarbonization trend. The risk assessment is low to moderate.
    • The Climate Strategy (Wellington) – managed by Wellington Management – ​​focuses on low carbon electricity, energy efficiency, water and resource management, climate resilient infrastructure and low carbon transport. The risk assessment is moderate.
  • Manulife Investment Management launched two active international ETFs along with dollar units of two existing ETFs.
    • Designed for clients seeking stable income and long-term growth, the Manulife Smart International Dividend ETF (TSX: IDIV.B) invests primarily in international dividend-paying securities. Manulife Smart International Defensive Equity ETF (TSX: IDEF.B) is designed for clients seeking international equity securities while also wanting to reduce overall market sensitivity. Both ETFs – which began trading on November 9 – have a 0.35% management fee and a medium risk rating.
    • The US dollar versions of the Manulife Smart US Dividend ETF (TSX: UDIV.U) and Manulife Smart US Defensive Equity ETF (TSX: UDEF.U) also began trading on November 9. Both have a management fee of 0.28% and an average risk rating and their Canadian secured and unsecured versions launched in 2020.
  • Global CI Asset Management announced the creation of two active fixed income funds.
    • The CI Global Bond Currency Neutral Fund and ETF (TSX: CGBN), available from November 1, is aimed at clients seeking regular income over the medium term while hedging their currency exposure. It invests primarily in fixed income and variable corporate and government securities, including in emerging markets, and uses derivatives to reduce currency fluctuations. Management fees are 1.0% for series A, 0.5% for series F and 0.7% for ETFs. The risk assessment is low. “Recent changes in interest rates and current challenges in the capital markets demonstrate that active management of fixed income instruments is more important than ever before,” Roy Ratnavel, executive vice president and head of distribution at CI GAM, said in the release.
    • The CI Global Investment Grade ETF (TSX: CGIN), which began trading on November 1, invests primarily in corporate and government debt instruments and may also purchase floating rate instruments, mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities and index-linked bonds. inflation and preference shares. The management fee for the ETF is 0.5% and the risk rating is low. CI expects the companion investment funds to be available on November 22. The USD-hedged version is traded under the name CGIN.UN.
  • Dynamic funds launched an ETF for investors seeking both interest income and potential long-term capital growth. The Dynamic Active Discount ETF (TSX: DXDB), which began trading on November 8, invests primarily in Canadian investment-grade corporate bonds. “It provides the potential for more tax-efficient capital gains along with interest income” and “can be used to complement the primary bond allocation in an investor’s portfolio,” Dynamic Funds managing director Mark Brisley said in the release. The management fee is 0.35% and the risk rating is low.

If you would like us to consider your launch, please email Greg Meckbach at greg@newcom.ca.