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| == Definitions == | | == Definitions == |
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| === ACS Funds ===
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| ACS Funds is a family of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) managed by AdvisorShares, a registered investment advisor based in Bethesda, Maryland. The ACS Funds family consists of a variety of ETFs that cover different asset classes and investment strategies, including equity, fixed income, and alternative investments. Some of the most popular ACS Funds include the AdvisorShares Pure Cannabis ETF (YOLO), which invests in companies involved in the legal cannabis industry, and the AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright ADR ETF (AADR), which invests in international companies that trade on U.S. exchanges. | | ACS Funds is a family of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) managed by AdvisorShares, a registered investment advisor based in Bethesda, Maryland. The ACS Funds family consists of a variety of ETFs that cover different asset classes and investment strategies, including equity, fixed income, and alternative investments. Some of the most popular ACS Funds include the AdvisorShares Pure Cannabis ETF (YOLO), which invests in companies involved in the legal cannabis industry, and the AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright ADR ETF (AADR), which invests in international companies that trade on U.S. exchanges. |
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| Like other ETFs, the ACS Funds are designed to provide investors with exposure to a diversified portfolio of assets, while offering the benefits of exchange-traded securities, such as transparency, liquidity, and low cost. However, each ACS Fund has its own investment objective and strategy, and investors should carefully consider the risks and benefits of each fund before investing. | | Like other ETFs, the ACS Funds are designed to provide investors with exposure to a diversified portfolio of assets, while offering the benefits of exchange-traded securities, such as transparency, liquidity, and low cost. However, each ACS Fund has its own investment objective and strategy, and investors should carefully consider the risks and benefits of each fund before investing. |
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| === ICAV Funds ===
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| ICAV stands for Irish Collective Asset-Management Vehicle, which is a type of investment fund structure that was introduced in Ireland in 2015. The ICAV structure was designed to replace the previous investment fund structure in Ireland, which was known as the Irish Investment Limited Partnership (ILP), and to make Ireland a more competitive location for investment funds.
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| The ICAV is a flexible and tax-efficient fund structure that is widely used by fund managers to establish and manage a variety of investment funds, including mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and alternative investment funds (AIFs). One of the key advantages of the ICAV structure is that it provides a streamlined and cost-effective way to establish and manage a fund in Ireland, with lower costs and administrative burdens compared to the previous ILP structure.
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| ICAV funds are regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland and must comply with all relevant Irish and European Union regulations, including the UCITS (Undertakings for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities) Directive for mutual funds and the AIFMD (Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive) for alternative investment funds.
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| === OEIC Funds ===
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| OEIC stands for Open-Ended Investment Company, which is a type of investment fund structure commonly used in the United Kingdom. An OEIC is a publicly traded company that issues shares to investors and uses the proceeds to invest in a portfolio of assets, such as stocks, bonds, and real estate.
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| OEICs are similar to mutual funds in the United States, as they allow investors to pool their money together to invest in a diversified portfolio of assets. However, unlike traditional mutual funds, OEICs are structured as companies and issue shares to investors, rather than selling units in a trust. This means that the number of shares in an OEIC can vary, as new shares can be created or existing shares can be cancelled based on investor demand.
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| OEIC funds are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK and must comply with all relevant regulations, including the UCITS (Undertakings for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities) Directive for mutual funds. OEICs are widely used by UK fund managers to offer a range of investment strategies and asset classes to investors. Like other investment funds, OEICs are subject to market risk, and investors should carefully consider the risks and benefits before investing.
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| === SICAV Funds ===
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| SICAV stands for Société d'Investissement à Capital Variable, which is a type of investment fund structure that is commonly used in Luxembourg and other European countries. SICAVs are similar to mutual funds in the United States and OEICs in the United Kingdom, as they allow investors to pool their money together to invest in a diversified portfolio of assets, such as stocks, bonds, and real estate.
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| SICAV funds are structured as a public limited company and issue shares to investors, with the proceeds being used to invest in a portfolio of assets. Like other investment funds, SICAVs are subject to market risk and can offer a range of investment strategies and asset classes, depending on the fund's investment objective.
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| One of the key advantages of SICAV funds is their tax efficiency. SICAVs are exempt from Luxembourg corporate income tax and withholding tax on dividends, which can result in lower costs for investors. Additionally, SICAVs are subject to a range of regulatory and investor protection measures, including the UCITS (Undertakings for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities) Directive and the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive (AIFMD).
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| SICAV funds are regulated by the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF) in Luxembourg and must comply with all relevant regulations and guidelines. Investors should carefully consider the risks and benefits of investing in a SICAV fund before making any investment decisions.
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| === Unit Trusts ===
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| A unit trust is a type of investment fund structure that is commonly used in the United Kingdom and other countries. Unit trusts allow investors to pool their money together to invest in a diversified portfolio of assets, such as stocks, bonds, and real estate.
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| Unit trusts are structured as a trust and are managed by a professional fund manager. The trust issues units to investors, with the proceeds being used to invest in a portfolio of assets. The value of the units is calculated based on the net asset value (NAV) of the underlying assets, which is the total value of the assets in the portfolio minus any liabilities.
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| Unit trusts are typically open-ended, which means that the number of units in the trust can vary based on investor demand. When an investor wants to buy or sell units in the trust, the fund manager creates or cancels units to meet the investor's request.
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| Unit trusts are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK and must comply with all relevant regulations, including the UCITS (Undertakings for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities) Directive. Unit trusts are a popular investment option for retail investors in the UK, as they offer a range of investment strategies and asset classes and can be easily bought and sold through investment platforms and financial advisers. However, like all investment funds, unit trusts are subject to market risk and investors should carefully consider the risks and benefits before investing.
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| === EU Liquidity funds ===
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| EU Liquidity Funds are a type of investment fund that is designed to provide investors with a high degree of liquidity and capital preservation while generating a competitive return. These funds are regulated by the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) and are subject to strict rules regarding their investment policies, risk management, and transparency.
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| EU Liquidity Funds invest primarily in short-term, highly liquid money market instruments, such as government bonds, corporate bonds, commercial paper, and certificates of deposit. The fund's objective is to generate income while preserving capital and maintaining a high level of liquidity, which means that investors can buy and sell shares in the fund on a daily basis without incurring significant costs or delays.
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| EU Liquidity Funds are subject to strict rules regarding the quality and diversification of their investments, as well as their risk management practices. For example, the funds are required to invest in high-quality, low-risk securities with short maturities and are prohibited from investing in higher-risk assets, such as equities or derivatives.
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| EU Liquidity Funds are a popular investment option for institutional investors, such as corporations, pension funds, and insurance companies, as well as individual investors who are seeking a safe and liquid investment with a competitive return. However, like all investment funds, EU Liquidity Funds are subject to market risk and investors should carefully consider the risks and benefits before investing.
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| === PAIF funds ===
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| PAIF stands for Property Authorised Investment Fund, which is a type of investment fund structure that is commonly used in the United Kingdom to invest in commercial real estate. PAIFs are designed to offer tax-efficient investment in UK property and are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
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| PAIF funds allow investors to pool their money together to invest in a portfolio of commercial properties, such as office buildings, shopping centers, and industrial properties. The fund is structured as a tax-transparent investment vehicle, which means that it is exempt from corporation tax and capital gains tax on its property investments. Instead, investors are taxed on the income and capital gains they receive from the fund.
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| PAIF funds are subject to strict rules regarding their investment policies, risk management, and transparency. For example, the funds are required to invest in a diversified portfolio of commercial properties with long-term leases and stable cash flows. The funds are also subject to regular valuations and must disclose their holdings and performance to investors on a regular basis.
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| PAIF funds are a popular investment option for institutional and individual investors who are seeking exposure to UK commercial property with a tax-efficient structure. However, like all investment funds, PAIFs are subject to market risk and investors should carefully consider the risks and benefits before investing.
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| == What's Liability Driven Investment? ==
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| Liability Driven Investment (LDI) is an investment strategy that aims to align the assets of a pension plan or other institutional investor with the liabilities or future payment obligations of that plan. The goal of LDI is to reduce the risk of shortfalls in funding by investing in assets that are expected to perform similarly to the liabilities of the plan, and thus provide a more predictable and stable stream of income to meet future obligations.
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| In an LDI strategy, the investor will typically invest in fixed income securities such as bonds or other interest-bearing instruments with durations that match or closely approximate the duration of the plan's liabilities. By doing so, the investor can reduce the impact of interest rate changes on the plan's funding levels, and provide a more stable source of income to meet future payment obligations. In some cases, LDI may also involve using derivatives such as interest rate swaps or options to hedge against interest rate or other risks that could impact the plan's funding levels.
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| LDI is commonly used by institutional investors such as pension funds, insurance companies, and other organizations that have long-term payment obligations and need to manage their assets and liabilities in a coordinated manner to achieve their financial goals.
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