Like Marines rushing from a beach landing, John Pileggi's American Independence [profile] is quickly following through on its break into risk-managed ETF portfolio products.

Less than two weeks after launching its first such product, the firm has announced a partnership with Cougar Global Investments Ltd, a Toronto-based investment manager specializing in global tactical ETF portfolios.

Under the agreement, American Independence will provide separately managed accounts (SMAs) and funds based on Cougar Global's ETF-based Macroeconomic Assessment of Risk (MAR) strategy to address downside risk management. American Independence will provide oversight, marketing, administration and execution. The portfolios will be marketed to financial intermediaries in the U.S.

Managing partner >b>John Pileggi recently talked with MFWire explaining his strategies for capitalizing on what he sees is a booming demand for these portfolios.

Here is the press release:

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Company Press Release

American Independence, Cougar Global Investments Partner to Offer Downside Risk Constrained Portfolios Utilizing ETFs

American Independence to offer investment solutions in the U.S. based on Cougar Global's MAR methodology; new partnership to address needs of risk-averse investors and their financial advisors

NEW YORK, Oct. 1, 2013 -- American Independence Financial Services, LLC ("American Independence"), a New York-based investment advisory firm and manager of mutual funds and separate accounts, today announced a strategic partnership withCougar Global Investments Ltd ("Cougar Global"), a Toronto-based investment manager specializing in global tactical ETF portfolios. Under the agreement, American Independence will provide separately managed accounts (SMAs) and funds based on Cougar Global's ETF-based Macroeconomic Assessment of Risk (MAR) strategy to address downside risk management. American Independence will provide oversight, marketing, administration and execution. The portfolios will be marketed to financial intermediaries in the U.S.

"Cougar Global's leading investment methodology is focused on downside risk management, which is highly appealing to investors who have yet to meet their wealth-accumulation and retirement income goals, but who may be concerned about equity market risk, or to investors who may have chosen to keep their money in cash," said John Pileggi, Managing Partner of American Independence. "Cougar Global Investments has one of the longest GIPS-compliant track records among ETF managed portfolios, demonstrating their ability to generate solid compound growth of investors' assets, and we are delighted to be partnering with them to bring their downside risk-aware strategies to advisors in the U.S. We're committed to providing our advisor client base with outcome-oriented investment solutions, as well as the information they need to educate their clients."

The Cougar Global MAR strategies employ a rigorous top-down investment discipline that seeks to achieve the compound growth rate required for investors to meet their specific financial goals over time, while managing downside risk and projecting the probability of negative returns in any given year. The investment process incorporates multiple macroeconomic scenario analyses and third-party research. It then constructs portfolios designed to perform with the appropriate risk/return trade-offs for its four models: MAR Tactical Conservative Growth, MAR Tactical Moderate Growth, MAR Tactical Growth, and MAR Tactical Aggressive Growth.

"We are pleased to be partnering with American Independence, which has strong relationships with the financial advisory community in the U.S. American Independence's operating philosophy, thought leadership, commitment to risk management and tactical approach to investment management make them an ideal partner for us in the U.S.," said Dr. James Breech, President and CEO of Cougar Global Investments.

About American Independence Financial Services, LLC

?American Independence is an investment advisory firm registered with the SEC providing professional, actively managed investment advisory services to 8 American Independence funds, as well as separately managed accounts, aggregating approximately 1 billion dollars in assets under management as of August 31, 2013. The firm is comprised of industry leaders with over 25 years of average industry tenure. To learn more about American Independence, visit http://www.americanindependence.com or call (646) 843-6901.

About Cougar Global Investments

?Founded in 1993 by Dr. James Breech, Cougar Global Investments has demonstrated solid performance in both bull and bear market conditions by employing a global tactical asset allocation methodology using exchange traded funds (ETFs) to implement the asset mix decisions. Cougar Global's team of investment professionals manages or advises approximately 2 billion dollars in total assets. Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, the firm has 300 clients in Canada, the US, the UK and Europe. To learn more, visithttp://www.cougarglobal.com/.

 

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