Betashares platform marks first retail collab with JPMAM

Exchange traded fund (ETF) specialist, Betashares, has marked the introduction of its investment platform’s new ‘Partner Portfolios’ initiative via an inaugural collaboration with J.P. Morgan Asset Management (JPMAM).

The launch of the JPMorgan Active Income Portfolio (J.INC) and the JPMorgan Active Growth Portfolio (J.GROW) on Betashares Direct sees the manager make its first foray beyond offering in-house managed multi-asset portfolios and commit to partnering with third-party managers to expand its capabilities for clients.

Taking the total number of managed portfolios available on the Betashares Direct platform, the two JPMAM offerings – leveraging the benefits of both passive and active ETFs – bring the global manager’s “multi-asset investment and portfolio construction expertise… directly to Australian retail investors”.

“Betashares Direct is designed to make high-quality investing accessible to all Australians. Partnering with J.P. Morgan Asset Management expands the range of institutional-grade portfolio solutions available on the platform, blending the best of index investing and active portfolio management,” Betashares chief executive, Alex Vynokur, said.

“This launch represents an important milestone in the continued evolution of Betashares Direct as a leading destination for Australians who are seeking to build long term wealth.”

The income-focused J.INC seeks to track the Bloomberg AusBond Bank Bill Index + 2% p.a. and offers a medium risk profile with consistent income over a recommended minimum investment horizon of five years; the growth-centric J.GROW aims to return CPI + 4% p.a. and is intended to deliver long-term growth derived from a broad range of exposures, including global and Australian equities, fixed income, listed infrastructure and listed property.

“We’re delighted to partner with Betashares on this collaboration. J.P. Morgan Asset Management’s disciplined, research-driven investment processes have been widely used by institutional investors and now we’re thrilled to expand this offering to self-directed investors for the first time,” Andrew Creber, Australia and New Zealand CEO at J.P. Morgan Asset Management, said.

“Working with Betashares Direct allows us to extend those same principles to retail investors in an accessible way, bringing the depth of our global multi-asset experience directly to their portfolios.”