Product & Service Launches – 8/8/24

Vontobel Adds Global Equity Mutual Fund

Vontobel has launched an actively managed mutual fund investing in companies in developed and emerging markets.

The Vontobel Global Equity Fund adds to Vontobel’s mutual fund offerings and is part of its goal of expanding distribution in the U.S.

The fund seeks to invest in companies with stable, predictable and sustainable earnings growth.

“Given the current economic climate of persistent inflation and a heightened sensitivity to interest rate signals, we focus on businesses that exhibit high and steady profitability, resilient business models, and strong structural growth potential,” said Ramiz Chelat, portfolio manager, in a statement.

Vontobel’s mutual funds are available through investment vehicles that include collective investment trusts and separately managed accounts.

Voya Launches Stable Value Fund with Great Gray

Voya Financial announced a new stable value investment option that includes capital preservation for participants.

The Voya Capital Preservation Fund is a collective investment trust, with Great Gray Trust Co. serving as trustee and fiduciary authority. The fund is available for defined contribution plans, with a goal of providing participants with protection for their principal investment; competitive yield; low return volatility; and daily liquidity.

It also offers short duration to help protect from market declines, which Voya wrote in the announcement is “aligned to Voya’s overall Stable Value philosophy, offering employees the ability to access their funds at book value where, when and how they need it.”

The fund is invested in a group annuity contract called the Stabilizer contract, which is a separate, actively managed account that invests in fixed-income instruments through active management by Voya Investment Management.

Voya has about $40 billion in stable value separate account and synthetic account assets under management and administration. Stable Value investments reached approximately $882 billion in 2023, according to the Stable Value Investment Association.

Fidelity Offers Tech Stack for Small and Midsized Wealth Managers

Fidelity Investments announced two new technology platforms for small and midsized registered investment advisers.

Fidelity’s technology stack and advisory bundle of services is geared toward RIAs looking to address limited resources and budgets.

The bundle includes Fidelity’s Fidelity Managed Account Xchange Essentials, a new managed account platform. FMAX offers advisers both Fidelity and third-party managed accounts.

“Smaller firms and advisors launching their own business, however, often have fewer resources, which can put them at a disadvantage,” said Noni Robinson, head of emerging RIAs at Fidelity Institutional Wealth Management Services, in a statement. “Our offering takes the guesswork out of selecting a technology stack with solutions that support front-, middle-, and back-office employees at these firms.”

The offering was created in collaboration with eMoney Advisor, focused on financial planning solutions, and Advyzon, an adviser technology firm. The services include Fidelity’s brokerage platform, eMoney’s financial planning strategies and Advyzon’s portfolio management software.