Deals & People February 13, 2007

XShares Creates ETFs with NY Firm

XShares Advisors LLC has announced its agreement with Elliott Wave International, Inc. (EWI) to create exchange traded funds (ETFs) based on technical methods developed or validated by EWI.
Reported by

Elliott Wave, a Gainesville, Georgia technical analysis firm, formulates and evaluates indexes designed to satisfy special needs in the financial marketplace, according to a press release.

XShares’ product offerings began trading on the New York Stock Exchange in January 2007, when the New York ETF developer and distributor, launched five exchange-traded funds (ETFs) on the New York Stock Exchange, with each aimed at a segment of the health care, life science and biotechnology industries (See NY Firm Unveils ETFs for Health, Biotech Research).

For more stories like this, sign up for the PLANADVISERdash daily newsletter.

Last week, the company said it will develop exchange-traded funds (ETFs) based on carbon emission credits, which allow firms and other organizations the right to emit a stated amount of carbon dioxide over a specified time period (See XShares to Develop ETF Based on Carbon Emission Credits). The company expects to release additional ETF offerings in coming months, according to the statement.

More information about XShares is at www.xsharesadvisors.com. More information about Elliott Wave is at www.elliottwave.com.

The Markets February 13, 2007

AIG VALIC Expands Advice to Participants in Retirement

AIG VALIC’s independent advice and managed-account platform has been expanded for the distribution phase of retirement.
Reported by

The Guided Portfolio Services (GPS) platform – offered through VALIC Financial Advisors, Inc. – provides investment advice and discretionary managed account services to DC plan participants, according to a press release.

Before now the product has been limited to participants saving for and transitioning into retirement. The GPS program, launched in 2003, has been expanded to service clients entering the distribution phase of retirement by providing personal wealth forecasts, comprehensive portfolio construction and ongoing portfolio optimization, the announcement said.

Never miss a story — sign up for PLANADVISER newsletters to keep up on the latest retirement plan adviser news.

Based on a participant’s profile, including retirement goals and information about existing assets, GPS advises the participant on a savings rate, retirement age and portfolio allocation focused on meeting an individual’s retirement planning goals. Participants already in the GPS program are eligible to continue using the program during retirement and those not enrolled are eligible for the service if GPS is authorized for their retirement plan.

“Helping clients manage their income in retirement represents arguably the greatest arena of opportunity for the retirement savings industry,” said Bruce Abrams, president and CEO of VALIC and the VALIC Retirement Services Company, in the news release.

«