CLS Investments & iShares® ETF Research Helps Advisors Navigate the ETF Strategist Marketplace

OMAHA, Neb., Sept. 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- In partnership with iShares ETFs, CLS Investments, LLC (CLS), a leading third party money manager and ETF Strategist, has released the second white paper within its AdvisorIQ education series. The report, "Propel Your Business Forward: The Inside Track to Choosing and Implementing ETF Strategists," aims to help advisors understand how they may be able to better navigate the fast-growing ETF marketplace by outsourcing portions of their portfolio management to ETF Strategists.

"The choices in the ETF marketplace are growing rapidly, and advisors are telling us that they are looking for advice and guidance in implementing ETF strategies," said Todd Clarke, CEO of CLS Investments. "This latest report provides insight on ETF Strategists and identifies the key profitability drivers and client cost savings advisors can accrue by using third parties that specialize in ETF portfolio construction."

"It is an exciting time to be working with ETF Investment Strategists," said Katharine Earhart, head of the iShares Connect Program at BlackRock.  "Outsourced investment management of ETFs is gaining momentum and we believe this industry could represent $120 billion in assets in the next two years, up from $64 billion today.  iShares began covering this sector in 2008 and we have seen impressive growth rates in ETF Strategists, on average of 30% per year."

This newest AdvisorIQ series report details how working with ETF Strategists allows advisors to gain institutional access to the ETF trading environment, which can result in lower trading costs. "Research has shown that outsourcing to an ETF Strategist enables advisors to manage accounts under $175,000, a level at which advisors may typically lose money by managing in-house," noted Clarke.

The CLS AdvisorIQ education series captures innovative business management, marketing, and investment planning strategies through a series of industry reports and white papers. Reports can be downloaded from CLSinvest.com/Advisor/AdvisorIQ.

About CLS Investments
CLS is a third party investment manager, ETF strategist, and longtime trusted financial industry partner. CLS's active asset allocation approach, customizable strategy offerings, and proficiency in risk management have led financial professionals to entrust their clients' portfolios to CLS since 1989. CLS's investment methodology is based on a customized application of risk budgeting through which CLS uses fundamental research, trend analysis, and quantitative inputs to identify attractive asset class combinations within specific risk tolerance ranges in order to create diverse portfolios for individuals and institutions. Today, more than 35,000 investors depend on CLS to manage their investment portfolios and help them reach their financial objectives.

About iShares ETFs
iShares, the exchanged traded funds business of BlackRock, is a global product leader in exchange traded funds with over 600 funds globally across equities, fixed income and commodities, which trade on 20 exchanges worldwide. The iShares Funds are bought and sold like common stocks on securities exchanges. The iShares Funds are attractive to many individual and institutional investors and financial intermediaries because of their relative low cost, tax efficiency and trading flexibility. Investors can purchase and sell shares through any brokerage firm, financial advisor, or online broker, and hold the funds in any type of brokerage account. The iShares customer base consists of the institutional segment of pension plans and fund managers, as well as the retail segment of financial advisors and high net worth individuals.

BlackRock, Inc. is not affiliated with CLS Investments, LLC.

iSHARES, iSHARES CONNECT, and BLACKROCK are registered trademarks of BlackRock, Inc. or its subsidiaries.  All other marks are the property of their respective owners.iS-10572-0813

This material does not constitute any representation as to the suitability or appropriateness of any security, financial product or instrument.  There is no guarantee that investment in any program or strategy discussed herein will be profitable or will not incur loss.  This information is prepared for general information only.  It does not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation, and the particular needs of any specific person who may receive this report.  Investors should seek financial advice regarding the appropriateness of investing in any security or investment strategy discussed or recommended in this report and should understand that statements regarding future prospects may not be realized.  Investors should note that security values may fluctuate and that each security's price or value may rise or fall.  Accordingly, investors may receive back less than originally invested.  Past performance is not a guide to future performance.  Individual client accounts may vary.

SOURCE CLS Investments, LLC