BlackRock has made changes to its LifePath series of target date mutual funds, offering a broader choice among varying degrees of active asset management within the fund series.
In addition to offering a more flexible active fund, LifePath will now feature a fund designed to capture “smart beta” factors for enhanced performance.
BlackRock’s LifePath Funds were the asset management industry’s first target date funds (TDF) and today represent USD144 billion in assets under management. About one in four Fortune 100 companies use LifePath as part of their defined contribution plan investment menus.
The BlackRock LifePath Active series will be renamed BlackRock LifePath Smart Beta and will be among the first TDFs of its kind, with its exposures converted to 80-90 per cent iShares smart beta exchange traded funds (ETFs). Smart beta strategies have become increasingly popular for investors who want to manage risk and target precise exposure to factors that are historical drivers of return.
These approaches seek to take advantage of the performance premium that can be offered by certain fundamental security factors such as momentum, quality and value, as well as the risk reducing features of minimum volatility. BlackRock LifePath Smart Beta funds are in the middle of the flexibility spectrum between BlackRock’s new LifePath Dynamic funds and the flagship LifePath Index funds, and are managed by Matthew O’Hara, Ked Hogan and Andrew Ang.
The LifePath fund series will be renamed BlackRock LifePath Dynamic. The funds will now allow for greater flexibility to adjust the portfolio’s asset allocation to respond to market conditions and opportunities, and will have additional access to more actively managed exposures. The exposures will include strategies managed by the firm’s scientific active equity, fundamental fixed income and global tactical asset allocation teams. LifePath Dynamic is designed for plan sponsors who seek additional return potential and plans whose participants have a higher risk tolerance or are behind in their savings. LifePath Dynamic funds are managed by O’Hara and Phil Green.
There will be no changes in the investment process or strategy of BlackRock LifePath Index funds.
“BlackRock pioneered the target date fund more than 20 years ago and we remain committed to offering easy-to-use solutions that bring sophisticated investment and risk management to the challenge of building retirement savings,” says O’Hara. “These changes illustrate our commitment to ensuring that LifePath continues to help plan sponsors and participants tackle today’s retirement investing needs.”
