The Expansion of ‘Model Portfolios’: Gaining Ground & Providing Efficiencies
Modern portfolio theory was introduced in the early ’50s and until the financial crisis in 2008 it was widely regarded as the optimal way to manage risk in a client portfolio. Even prior to [...]
Chasing the ‘Active’ Trend in ETFs – Upfront Considerations
At the end of 2020, there were more than 2,390 ETFS listed in the U.S., with a record of nearly $5.5 trillion in assets. Actively managed ETFs set new records in 2020, as well. [...]
Interval Fund Proration – Turning Product Features into Functionality
Interval Funds have enjoyed a meteoric rise in recent years, and despite a challenging year, assets now top $35b as of December 31, 2020, according to Interval Fund Tracker¹. The COVID-19 pandemic fueled volatility [...]
Thinking about Expanding Your Investment Product Reach?
You’ve likely heard the expression: “Innovate or die” (often attributed to Peter Drucker, an influential thinker on business management). The saying holds true for investment advisers, as well. To stay relevant, firms must think [...]
TOP Blog Posts of 2020
During 2020 the financial industry experienced unforeseen challenges from remote work environments to market fluctuation, cyber security risks and much more. In response, Ultimus published a variety of informative blog posts to help investment [...]
Re-thinking Vendor Due Diligence in the “New Normal”
Introduction Performing due diligence on vendors is a critical risk mitigation measure. For fund sponsor and investment managers, vendors should act as an extension of your business, and as such, it’s important to gather [...]
Are we at an inflection point for sustainable investing?
Michael Jantzi, Founder of Sustainalytics, spoke at the Morningstar Virtual Conference and shared his insights on the current market and impact on sustainable investing. He believes we’re at an inflection point and change is ahead. The [...]
THE NEED FOR YIELD — Why Should Asset Managers Consider Launching an INTERVAL or TENDER OFFER FUND, and What Do They Need to Know
As we have returned to a period of ultra-low interest rates, investors have a genuine need for products that may offer reasonable yields. That need is across the board, regardless of the wealth and [...]
Mutual Funds: Ascertaining the Total Cost of Ownership
Mutual fund sponsors and board members have a fiduciary responsibility to their shareholders to oversee and monitor, amongst other things, the fund’s annual operating expenses, including management fees, distribution fees and “other expenses” such [...]
SEC Filings for Mutual Funds: A Reference Guide
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) requires mutual funds—and similar investment companies—to submit various filings throughout each year. Whether you’re a trustee on a fund board, a newcomer to the fund world, an adviser [...]