Introducing the Nasdaq-100 Intraday Elite 15%™ Index: A Smarter Way to Track the New Economy

In an era where volatility is the new normal and speed is synonymous with strategy, the launch of the Nasdaq-100 Intraday Elite 15% Index marks a significant step forward for the insurance and annuity space. Designed for today’s fast-moving markets and tomorrow’s forward-looking investors, the new index blends sophisticated volatility management with the power of one of the world’s most influential benchmarks, the Nasdaq-100^®.

“We call it the new economy index because it evolves with the economy itself,” says Rich Macari, Head of Insurance and Bank Solutions at Nasdaq. “And in a world where intraday market swings matter more than ever, this index offers a better way to track, rebalance, and deliver smarter outcomes.”

Developed in collaboration with a prominent annuity design shop and a leading global bank, the Nasdaq-100 Intraday Elite 15% Index (or simply, Intraday Elite) was over 18 months in the making. The result is a modern, equity-only strategy built for indexed annuities—one that’s already seeing widespread adoption across insurance carriers.

A Strategic Response to a Shifting Market 

The idea for Intraday Elite didn’t appear in a vacuum. It was born from an urgent and growing need: financial professionals and clients alike are demanding solutions that can adapt to volatility throughout the day, not just at market close.

“While we weren’t the first to explore intraday methodologies in the FIA space, we are a fast follower,” says Macari. “Where the puck is going in this industry is clear. Intraday rebalancing is no longer a niche concept. It’s a necessity.”

The index rebalances three times a day, a critical feature in an environment where headlines, earnings calls, or geopolitical shocks can trigger rapid swings. Traditional daily rebalancing strategies often miss these intraday shifts. Intraday Elite, by contrast, captures them in real-time.

Macari illustrates the importance of this: “You could start the day down 1%, end the day up 1%, and call it a 1% gain, but really, you had a 2% swing in there that can dramatically affect performance. Our goal is to respond to that reality.”

What Sets Intraday Elite Apart?

The Nasdaq-100 Intraday Elite 15% Index incorporates multiple layers of innovation to deliver dynamic exposure and intelligent volatility control:

• Intraday Rebalancing (3x Daily): Offers more responsive exposure adjustments than end-of-day strategies.

• 15% Volatility Target: Designed to capture upside potential in a rising rate environment while managing downside risk.

• Time-Weighted Average Pricing (TWAP): Smooths out market noise and improves the reliability of both historical volatility observation and execution.

• Equity-Only Exposure: Unlike some multi-asset strategies, Intraday Elite delivers pure equity returns from the Nasdaq-100 Index®—a benchmark synonymous with the growth economy.

“TWAP gives the methodology more stability,” Macari explains. “It’s both more robust for calculating volatility and more informative when tracking performance for carriers or hedging for banks.”

Built for FIAs, Driven by Demand

Macari and his team were deliberate about aligning the index’s construction with feedback from the field, especially from distribution partners and agents.

“The aging community was looking for a fresh alternative to traditional investment options,” he says. “They wanted something equity-based, but with a story that speaks to the next generation of economic growth. The Nasdaq-100 answered that call.”

From the beginning, this was a multi-pronged development effort. The annuity design firm brought market intelligence and product design experience, while Nasdaq provided indexing expertise and innovation leadership. A global bank lent input on the index methodology and its underlying technology.

“This wasn’t just about building something new. It was about building something useful,” Macari emphasizes. “Something practical for insurers, effective for agents, and meaningful for clients.”

Why the Nasdaq-100?

At the heart of Intraday Elite lies the Nasdaq-100—a market benchmark that captures the essence of the modern economy. Featuring the world’s most iconic and innovative companies, from tech titans to biotech pioneers, it’s the natural core of a strategy designed to align with long-term growth trends.

“Everyone wants access to the Magnificent Seven,” Macari notes. “Years ago, it was FAANG. Before that, Cisco and Intel. Whatever the next acronym is, you can bet it will come from Nasdaq-100 companies.”

There’s also a practical advantage: the Nasdaq-100 is supported by one of the world’s most liquid options markets, making it easier for banks to hedge and for carriers to model outcomes more predictably.

“It’s a strong brand, a desirable exposure, and it complements—not competes with—other allocation options,” Macari says. “We’re not here to replace. We’re here to enhance.”

Expanding the Nasdaq Footprint in Insurance

While Nasdaq has long dominated in the equity and ETF space, its presence in the insurance market, particularly in FIA and RILA products, has skyrocketed in recent years. With as many as 50 to 60 insurance companies now offering Nasdaq indexes, the company is proving it’s not just a Wall Street player: it’s a Main Street innovator.

“Three or four years ago, this wasn’t even part of our playbook,” says Macari. “Now we’re building new indices specifically for the insurance space, scaling our partnerships, and expanding our distribution support, including adding boots on the ground for IMOs and financial professionals.”

That commitment to collaboration is what powers Nasdaq’s momentum. And it’s what will likely fuel its next wave of index development.

Looking Ahead: Innovation That Keeps Evolving

Nasdaq isn’t standing still. New thematic indexes are in the pipeline. Strategic partnerships remain a core focus. More carriers are coming online. And Intraday Elite is just one example of how Nasdaq is helping to define the future of retirement-linked investing.

“We’re having conversations every day with new partners across the industry,” Macari says, “The team is constantly thinking about the needs of the investor—how can we continue to build custom products that provide tailored exposure, not just today or tomorrow, but for the life of the client’s annuity contract?” 

And when asked, “Why Nasdaq?” his answer is both bold and simple: “Why not Nasdaq? You already gain exposure through ETFs in your managed money accounts. Why not in your retirement vehicles too?”

The Bottom Line

The Nasdaq-100 Intraday Elite 15% Index isn’t just another index. It’s a reimagination of what an index can do. It reflects a world where precision matters, speed is critical, and access to innovation is the difference between trailing the market and staying ahead of it.

Backed by decades of Nasdaq leadership, real-time volatility management, and a future-ready design, Intraday Elite is more than just a strategy. It’s a smarter way to help secure the future. 

Find out more about Intraday Elite

To learn more, visit the Nasdaq Insurance Solutions site at nasdaq.com/solutions/insurance.

Nasdaq®, Nasdaq-100 Intraday Elite 15%™, Nasdaq-100 Index®, and Nasdaq-100® are trademarks of Nasdaq, Inc. The information contained above is provided for informational and educational purposes only, and nothing contained herein should be construed as investment advice, either on behalf of a particular security or an overall investment strategy. Neither Nasdaq, Inc. nor any of its affiliates makes any recommendation to buy or sell any security or any representation about the financial condition of any company. Statements regarding Nasdaq-listed companies or Nasdaq proprietary indexes are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investors should undertake their own due diligence and carefully evaluate companies before investing. ADVICE FROM A SECURITIES PROFESSIONAL IS STRONGLY ADVISED.