March 6, 2025 Newswires

AllianzIM Expands Buffer Allocation ETF Suite with Launch of Buffer15 Uncapped ETF

Business Wire

New ETF Offers Uncapped Market Upside in a Convenient, Single-Ticker Solution

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Allianz Investment Management LLC (AllianzIM), a subsidiary of Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America (Allianz Life), today announces the launch of the AllianzIM Buffer15 Uncapped Allocation ETF (NYSE Arca: SPBU). Building on its lineup of Buffer Allocation ETFs, this innovative exchange-traded fund (ETF) offers investment professionals and investors a single-ticker solution for accessing buffered ETFs with uncapped upside potential.

As a fund of funds, the ETF seeks to provide capital appreciation with downside risk mitigation by investing in a laddered portfolio of 12 AllianzIM U.S. Equity Buffer15 Uncapped ETFs. Each month, one of the underlying ETFs resets its buffer, helping to smooth out market fluctuations and enhance risk management. Unlike traditional buffered ETFs, which have a cap on potential gains, the Buffer15 Uncapped ETFs allow for participation in market upside beyond a predefined spread, while still providing a buffer against the first 15% of losses over a one-year outcome period.

“Markets in 2025 have been marked by heightened volatility as investors adapt to a new administration and navigate ongoing economic uncertainty. Meanwhile, traditional core bond holdings are facing challenges, offering neither the growth nor the protection they once provided,” said Johan Grahn, Head ETF Market Strategist at AllianzIM. “The Buffer Allocation ETF suite is designed to offer investors the potential for capital appreciation while managing risk with simple, single-ticker solutions.”

Offered at an expense ratio of 79 basis points annually¹, the AllianzIM Buffer15 Uncapped Allocation ETF offers a streamlined approach to managing equity exposure with a hedge against market downturns. Its laddered investment approach provides exposure to a series of outcome periods, helping investors remain well-positioned across varying market conditions. Launched in January 2025, the Buffer Allocation ETF suite also includes the AllianzIM U.S. Large Cap 6 Month Buffer10 ETFs and AllianzIM U.S. Large Cap Buffer20 ETFs, with underlying ETFs structured around either a 12-month outcome period with a 20% Buffer (NYSE Arca: SPBW) or a 6-month outcome period with a 10% Buffer (NYSE Arca: SPBX). The Buffer15 Uncapped Allocation ETF differentiates itself within the suite by offering exposure to unlimited potential market upside.

"The launch of the Buffer15 Uncapped Allocation ETF underscores AllianzIM’s commitment to delivering risk-managed solutions that help investors navigate today’s evolving market environment," said Chris Chambs, CEO of AllianzIM. "This latest addition to our suite offers investors a new way to participate in market upside while maintaining a structured approach to downside risk management."

The products utilize AllianzIM’s core strengths, which include risk management experience and in-house hedging capabilities. As part of one of the largest asset management and diversified insurance companies in the world (Allianz SE), AllianzIM uses the same proprietary in-house hedging platform that is used among affiliates to help manage more than $155 billion (as of 12/31/24) in hedged assets for institutional and retail investors around the globe. Offering a new way to help investors mitigate risk and reduce volatility, these ETFs complement Allianz Life’s suite of annuity and life insurance products.

For more information on the AllianzIM Buffer15 Uncapped Allocation ETF, visit www.AllianzIMetfs.com.

The Funds’ gross expense ratio is 0.84%. The net expense ratio reflects a reduction in the fund’s management fee to 0.05% through at least February 28, 2026.

About Allianz Investment Management LLC

Allianz Investment Management LLC (AllianzIM) is an investment manager specializing in risk management strategies and innovative investment solutions. As a wholly owned subsidiary of Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America, AllianzIM leverages its extensive risk management expertise and proprietary hedging capabilities to deliver value to investors seeking downside risk mitigation and market participation.

Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal. For more information on investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses, please visit www.allianzIMetfs.com or call 877.429.3837. Investors should read the prospectus carefully before investing. There is no guarantee the funds will achieve their investment objectives, and investors may lose their entire investment.

The Buffer Allocation ETFs investment strategies are different from more typical investment products, and the Funds may be unsuitable for some investors. It is important that investors understand the investment strategy before making an investment. For more information regarding whether an investment in the Funds is right for you, please see the prospectus.

Unlike the Underlying ETFs, the Fund itself does not pursue a buffered strategy nor is it subject to a Spread. The Buffer is only provided by the Underlying ETFs and the Fund itself does not provide any stated Buffer against losses. The laddered approach of the Fund may cause the Fund to not receive the full intended benefit of any individual Underlying ETF’s Buffer. The Fund will not participate in underlying ETF returns up to and including the amount of the stated spread of the underlying ETF.

Underlying buffers will be reduced and spreads will be increased after taking into account management fees and other fund fees and expenses.

Shareholders of these funds will experience investment returns that are different than the investment returns sought by the underlying ETFs.

The Underlying Funds will utilize FLEX Options issued and guaranteed for settlement by the Options Clearing Corporation (“OCC”). The Funds bear the risk that the OCC will be unable or unwilling to perform its obligations under the FLEX Options contracts. In the unlikely event that the OCC becomes insolvent or is otherwise unable to meet its settlement obligations, the Funds could suffer significant losses.

ETFs are distributed by Foreside Fund Services, LLC. Allianz Investment Management LLC and Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America are not affiliated with Foreside Fund Services, LLC.