Product & Service Launches

Nationwide Launches RetireAssist

Nationwide Retirement Solutions launched Nationwide RetireAssist, a multi-product solution to help advisers meet the unique retirement plan needs of generalist and specialist advisers and their clients. 

The initial products available under the RetireAssist umbrella are made for adviser-sold 401(k) and 403(b) plans with less than $25 million in assets and will address the differing priorities of each retirement planning adviser segment.

“This suite helps position advisors for success with their retirement plans business, meets plan sponsor needs and includes high-touch service and support for participants,” said Rich Porter, senior vice president of Nationwide Retirement Solutions Distribution, in a statement.

Macquarie AM Debuts Focused International ETF

Macquarie Asset Management launched a focused international core equity exchange-traded fund, managed by the firm’s global equity team.

The product aims to provide investors access to Macquarie’s international core equity strategy. The ticker symbol for the new fund is EXUS.

“We are excited to offer investors access to our active international core equity within the convenience of an ETF wrapper,” said Anthony Caruso, Macquarie’s head of ETF strategy, in a statement.

WisdomTree Adds Inflation-Plus ETF

Financial firm WisdomTree Inc. initiated an inflation-plus ETF on the Nasdaq that aims to provide consistent returns with low volatility and drawdown mitigation. 

The fund, with an expense ratio of 0.65% and ticker WTIP, will include 18 commodities across six sectors: energy; industry metals; grains; precious metals; OFT or agricultural commodities (e.g. coffee, sugar and cocoa); and bitcoin. It will take strategic long allocations to precious metals like gold and silver, along with an exposure of up to 10% to bitcoin.

Overall, the fund uses momentum-based long/short positioning designed to reduce leverage while enhancing return potential, according to WisdomTree.

“We designed WTIP to bring a new level of resilience and adaptability to commodities investing, combining risk-managed momentum with structural inflation protection,” said Jeremy Schwartz, WisdomTree’s global chief investment officer, in a statement. 

AllianceBernstein Establishes Emerging Markets ETF 

Investment management firm AllianceBernstein launched AB Emerging Markets Opportunities ETF, an actively managed exchange-traded fund managed by Jane Street, the lead market maker for the new fund.

“This launch comes as a response to strong demand for more non-US equity exposures, especially in emerging markets,” said Noel Archard, AllianceBernstein’s global head of ETFs and portfolio solutions, in a statement. “EMOP is designed to provide investors with meaningful access to these dynamic economies, reinforcing our focus on active strategies and solutions that empower clients across their portfolios.”

MetLife, Nayya Expand Access to Upwise

In a collaboration with Nayya, MetLife announced it is expanding access to Upwise, the company’s benefits experience platform, by making it available to employers through Workday Marketplace.

The benefits experience platform will be available by October 1at no additional cost to Workday Human Capital and Workday Benefits customers via Workday Marketplace for employers which have in-force MetLife accident, hospital indemnity or critical illness insurance products.

“The addition of Upwise on Workday Marketplace enables us to tap into this robust ecosystem, efficiently expanding access to the solution and providing seamless integration for our mutual customers,” said Bradd Chignoli, MetLife’s executive vice president for regional business and workforce engagement, in a statement.