Product launches - April 2010

Summit Investor Services Benelux BV has announced the launch of a new product suite that is designed to offer institutional investors unparalleled insight into their investment portfolios. The solution integrates analytical tools with compliance monitoring and flexible reporting to help institutional clients to manage risk and enhance operational efficiency.

Quality Capital Management (QCM) has launched its DB Platinum IV QCM GDP Index Fund. The UCITS III compliant fund offers daily liquidity and is registered in Luxembourg. The Fund is part of Deutsche Bank's db funds platform, and replicates the investment profile and performance of QCM's flagship managed futures product, Global Diversified Programme.

Amundi ETF has listed six unprecedented ETFs on the SIX Swiss Exchange, bringing its total offering here to 20. The short fixed income ETFs offer daily inverse exposure to the Eurozone government bond market and the ability to take advantage of rises in interest rates.

Aviva has launched a new online retirement calculator for customers, based on a graphic interface that is designed to make it easier for them to understand the annuity options available to them. They can also work out how much income they stand to get from their pension fund. The calculator asks customers a series of questions, some relating to health. The launch of the calculator follows recent research in Aviva's Real Retirement Report which showed that the majority of people who don't take out joint annuities are unaware of what affects payouts, and do not even fully understand that they obtain an income from an annuity.

Merrion Investment Managers has launched its UCITS European long/short equity fund, a new UCITS III European Absolute Return Fund. The fund targets an absolute return of 15 per cent to 20 per cent per annum, with annualised volatility between 7.5 per cent and ten per cent.

Alico Wealth Management has launched its Controlled Opportunity Growth Structure (COGS), a new structure investment that carries no counterparty risk. COGS offers clients control over the level of capital they expose to potential market falls, and provides them with the opportunity to benefit from any growth in the FTSE 100. Eleven different risk settings are available, ranging from full capital protection to a potential loss of capital on a one-to-one basis should the market fall.

Scottish Widows has launched mymoneyworks, an online financial educational and guidance service for employees that allows them to understand their needs and take control of their financial planning. The secure, personalised website can combine workplace benefits with personal finances, and forms part of Scottish Widows Group Pensions' proposition.

Amundi ETF has increased the availability of its fund range to Switzerland with the listing of 14 exchange traded funds (ETFs) on the SIX Swiss Exchange. The listings comprise of equity, fixed income and commodity ETFs, and the range will extend over the coming weeks with further listings on the Exchange.

SEI has launched an online resource to detail the key features and requirements of the investment product packaging options that are available and predominant in today's market, The Global Asset Management Product Guide. The Guide helps investment managers to understand and compare a range of potential investment vehicles to target additional growth opportunities in light of increasing demand from investors for flexible product packaging options.

LGT Capital Partners is to launch its Crown Managed Futures UCITS Fund (CMFU), which will offer a broader range of investors access to its flagship managed futures strategy. The fund is scheduled to launch in 4 May 2010.

LV= has added eight funds with Threadneedle to its insured pension fund platform, adding to LV='s current 108 funds on offer. The new funds are the Absolute Return Bond, American (North American equities), China Opportunities, European Smaller Companies, Global Emerging Market Equity, High Yield Bond, Latin American and UK Equity Alpha Income.

AllianceBernstein has launched its Euro High Yield Portfolio, a Luxembourg-based SICAV that aims to harness new opportunities in this market. The market is poised for rapid growth following a record year for euro high-yield securities in 2009, which was driven by a wave of corporate downgrades. The size of the euro high-yield market is projected to triple in size in the coming years.

Hilltop Fund Management has launched its London-based business and alternative fund of hedge funds approach. The All Weather Fund is a fund of hedge funds, designed to deliver consistent, absolute returns in all environments through a portfolio of uncorrelated hedge funds, unconstrained by investment style.

Amundi ETF has listed another 15 exchange traded funds (ETFs) on Borsa Italiana, the third series of listings since inception, and bringing the total number of products available in Italy from Amundi to 45. The ETFs include two unprecedented equity ETFs, one emerging country ETF, two fixed income ETFs, six unprecedented short fixed-income ETFs, and four unprecedented commodity ETFs.

Amundi ETF has launched a new CAC 40 distribution share exchange traded fund (ETF) on NYSE Euronext Paris, bringing the total number of products in its fund range to 79. The listing responds to calls from Amundi clients by offering a choice on dividend treatment.

aquila has released the latest version of administrator - version 7 je, which uses aquila's advanced workflow solution including a graphical process design suite and a new user interface. These new features deliver greater efficiency, tighter record keeping and auditability. The BBC and Hewitt Associates have selected administrator 7 je to deliver services to their clients.

Amundi ETF has announced that it has registered 46 exchange traded funds (ETFs) in the Netherlands, in line with its international development strategy, which consists of launching cross-registrations and/or multi-listings processes throughout Europe. The Amundi ETF range comprises 78 products listed on three major European stock exchanges: NYSE Euronext Paris, Deutsche Borse and Borsa Italiana. Dutch investors now have access through a local registration.

Amundi ETF has listed 13 new exchange traded funds (ETFs) on Borsa Italiana, bringing the total number available here at 28. The new listing series broadens Amundi's offerings on Borsa Italiana, and consist of two world sector ETFs, ten European sector ETFs and one real estate ETFs. Amundi has also listed 20 new products on Deutsche Börse, consisting of six short fixed-income ETFs and four commodity ETFs.

HSBC Global Asset Management has launched its UCITS Global Emerging Markets Equity Alpha Fund, which offers daily liquidity with an annual target return of ten to 15 per cent. This is based on approximately ten per cent volatility with limited market correlation. Nick Timberlake and Omar Negyal will jointly manage the fund.

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