BetaShares launches new equities fund

BetaShares managing director Alex Vynokur said the launch of the fund comes in response to “rising demand” from SMSFs trustees and retirees for an investment that “seeks to provide a strong income stream”.

“We believe that HVST will become a key investment tool for advisers looking after SMSFs and retiree clients when planning for the investment challenges ahead,” Mr Vynokur said.

“The launch of the Australian Dividend Harvester is a compelling offering for SMSFs, retirees and investors who are seeking attractive income, but who may be concerned by the uncertain nature of financial markets,” Mr Vynokur said.

“In addition, the fund provides investors the opportunity to earn high levels of franked dividends, which can boost the overall income return significantly, particularly for investors on lower tax rates, such as SMSF investors, or tax-exempt investors such as those in the pension stage,” he said.

BetaShares said the fund incorporates a risk management strategy which involves monitoring the volatility of equities daily and, if risk levels rise, “applying a hand brake” by selling to reduce risk in the portfolio.

“The risk management strategy employed by the Harvester Fund is being run in conjunction with Milliman, one of the largest institutional global risk managers in the world,” a statement from BetaShares said.

“According to Milliman, the risk management strategy aims, over market cycles, to provide most of the upside in rising markets while avoiding most of the downside in periods of decline,” BetaShares said.