ETP Forum
Providing Timely Asset Allocation Strategies for Investors
April 1, 2015 | The New York Athletic Club, New York City
This conference has been accepted by the CFP Board for 7 CE credits
ETP Forum Agenda
8:30-8:45 - Chairman’s Welcoming Remarks
Chris Romano, Director of Research Applications
ETF Global
8:45-9:35 - Around the Globe: Equity Best Ideas
With equity market correlations finally receding, today’s portfolio manager needs to focus on the fundamentals that drive valuation. Today’s managers can increase their levels of success by gaining a thorough understanding of the macro environment from policy and economic cycle perspectives, particularly when combined with proper time horizons. We will also discuss relative sector performance and address proper asset allocation methods.
Moderator:
David Perlman, ETF Strategist
UBS
Panelists:
Jeremy Schwartz, Director of Research
WisdomTree Asset Management
Paul Yook, Portfolio Manager
BioShares Funds
Jason DeSena Trennert, Managing Partner
Strategas Research Partners
Xiaolian Wang, Managing Director
MarketGrader Capital
9:40-10:30 - The Complex World of Credit Investing and Alternative Sources of Income
In this protracted environment of low treasury yields and volatile equities, credit has become an asset class of increasing interest both in terms of the yield potential and uncorrelated returns. In addition to “traditional” fixed income instruments, we will discuss other yield enhanced strategies including MLPs, preferred stocks and other investment structures and their suitability within a managed portfolio.
Moderator:
A. Seddik Meziani, PhD, Professor of Finance
Montclair State University
Panelists:
Jay Hatfield, Portfolio Manager
Infrastructure Capital Advisors
Daniel Zraly, Head of US Fixed Income ETF Trading
BNP Paribas
Edward Rosenberg, Head of ETF Capital Markets & Analytics
FlexShares
Brian Good, Portfolio Manager
THL Credit
10:30-11:00 – Morning Networking Break
11:00-11:50 - Actively Managed ETFs: What’s Behind The Curtain?
The growth of active ETFs while exciting has not had the asset growth that most of their issuers have anticipated. What are the road blocks? Can a non-transparent ETF thrive in the marketplace? We will discuss some of the most accepted products that are being traded, but also engage in a conversation as to the new products that are in development across the industry and asset classes.
Moderator:
Mike Boucher, Portfolio Manager
Fidelity Investments
Panelists:
David LaValle, US Head of ETF Capital Markets
SPDR ETF Global Capital Markets
Haddon Kirk, Head ETF Trader
UBS Securities
Brian Reilly, VP, ETF Sales & Relationship Management
Brown Brothers Harriman
Natalie Zahradnik, EVP - ETF Strategist
PIMCO
11:55-12:45 - Incorporating a Liquid Alts Strategy into Your Portfolio
We will examine ETP, CEF, Hedge Fund & Mutual Fund strategies that investors are currently employing to gain access to commodities, currencies, real estate and volatility opportunities. We will discuss what percentage of your portfolio should be allocated to this space, benchmark conventions, open architecture, levels of transparency and why it’s still important to have exposure to Liquid Alts in a rising equity market.
Moderator:
Joe Anthony, President, Financial Services
GREGORY FCA
Panelists
Charles de Vaulx, Chief Investment Officer
International Value Advisers
Niall H. O’Malley, Portfolio Manager
Blue Point Investment Management
Ethan Powell, Chief Product Strategist
Highland Capital Management
R. Ty Powers, Director, Portfolio Management
Hatteras Funds
12:45–2:15 - Luncheon Keynote Address - Networking Session, Sponsors Exhibit Hall
Mark Yusko, CEO & CIO
Morgan Creek Capital Management
2:20-3:10 – Leaders in Wealth Management
This distinguished panel includes three Wealth Management leaders to help us explore the different approaches taken by each of these high achieving Financial Advisors to grow their respective practices. The discussion will include topics such as the Dynamics of a Team Approach vs. Individual Practitioners, challenges in the age of the “RoboAdvisor” and Client Acquisition of the Millennial as a trusted advisor.
Moderator:
Julie Abbett, Director (Member of Women in ETFs)
Deutsche Securities
Panelists:
David Sherrill, The Vector Group
Morgan Stanley Wealth Management
Thomas Cavada, The Mowrer-Cavada Wealth Management Group
UBS Wealth Management
Jim Dotzman, Director - Investments
Oppenheimer & Co.
Greg Skidmore, Head of Financial Group/President of Asset Management
Belpointe
3:15-4:05 - The Rise of Strategic Beta Strategies
Do these transparent, rules-based investment strategies that provide a specific exposure to market segments or factors truly offer alpha at a lower cost than active management? Learn how advisors are using these strategies in their clients’ portfolios. Our experts will also discuss the benefits and nuances of the different methodologies available.
Moderator:
Ben Sklar, Portfolio Manager
Alliance Bernstein
Panelists:
Thomas Picciochi, Multi-Asset Portfolio Management & Trading
QS Investors
Rick Ferri, Chief Executive Officer
Portfolio Solutions
Carlos Diez, CEO
MarketGrader Capital
Robert Ross, Senior ETF Institutional Consultant
Invesco PowerShares
4:05-4:35 - Afternoon Networking Break
4:35-5:25 - ETF Strategists Corner
The growth in both the number of providers and accumulation of assets in Managed ETF Strategies has become a paramount focus of growth for the Advisor Community. We will discuss many of the strategies employed by this new class of managers and the available number of tools and products to employ. Of particular focus will be the efficient use of all asset classes within the context of a portfolio including the ability to transform traditional beta products into the pursuit of the allusive alpha.
Moderator:
Jason Nicastro, Senior Research Analyst
LPL
Panelists:
Matthew Tuttle, Chief Investment Officer
Tuttle Tactical Management
Joe Maier, Senior ETF Strategist
Bank of America Merrill Lynch
Scott Ladner, Head of Quantitative & Alternative Strategies
Horizon Investments
Scott Dooley, Chief Investment Officer
Fusion Investment Group
5:25-5:30 - Closing Remarks/Event Surveys
Chris Romano, Director of Research Applications
ETF Global
5:30-6:30 - Networking Cocktail Reception
Immediately following the program, there will be a private reception with a silent auction supporting our featured charity ALTSO*
*A Leg To Stand On (“ALTSO”) is a 501c3 non-profit organization that provides free prosthetic limbs, corrective surgery and rehabilitative care to children in developing countries who have lost their limbs in traumatic accidents or suffer from congenital limb disabilities. Since 2002, ALTSO has treated more than 12,500 children, offering them the physical capabilities to access the opportunities and self-esteem earned through education, work and mobility.
** The Expert Series reserves the right to alter the agenda without notice, including substitution or cancellation of speakers and/or topics.