Income Research + Management and BondBloxx Investment Management have announced a new partnership, with BondBloxx filing a registration statement for the BondBloxx IR+M Tax-Aware Short Duration ETF, which IR+M will sub-advise.
IR+M is a privately-owned, independent, fixed income investment management firm with over three decades of experience in active portfolio management. BondBloxx specialises in offering a comprehensive range of fixed income ETFs. Through this partnership, clients will gain access to IR+M investment capabilities in a co-branded fixed income ETF wrapper, the firm writes.
“The partnership with BondBloxx represents our first-ever IR+M branded fixed income ETF,” says Erinn King, CFA, Chief Strategy Officer at IR+M. “We’re excited to broaden access to IR+M’s strategies by making them available to all investors. Our respective firms offer complementary expertise and client focus, making BondBloxx a natural strategic partner of choice for IR+M.”
As detailed in the filing, the BondBloxx IR+M Tax-Aware Short Duration ETF will seek attractive after-tax income, consistent with preservation of capital and prudent investment management. The Fund will seek to invest in a diversified portfolio of both municipal and taxable short duration fixed income securities; under normal circumstances, at least 50% of the Fund’s assets will be held in municipal securities that pay interest that is exempt from federal income tax.
“Municipal bonds are an important tool for taxable clients. However, investors may overlook other opportunities,” adds BondBloxx Co-Founder Tony Kelly. “By adopting a wider perspective on portfolio construction, we can create a more comprehensive approach that seeks to maximise after-tax return. The collaboration between BondBloxx and IR+M brings together experienced teams to develop fixed income solutions for clients.”
