New ETFs seek to offer additional opportunities to refresh upside potential and optimize downside protection

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul. 1, 2025-- Allianz Investment Management LLC (AllianzIM), a subsidiary of Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America and adviser to the AllianzIM exchange-traded funds (ETFs), today announced the launch of two ETFs: the AllianzIM U.S. Equity Buffer100 Protection ETF (Cboe: AIOO) and the AllianzIM U.S. Equity Buffer15 ETF (Cboe: QBSF).Built on AllianzIM’s deep expertise in risk management, both AIOO and QBSF are designed to reset quarterly, which enable investors to refresh their downside risk parameters and refresh upside potential more frequently.

AIOO seeks 100% buffered protection against market losses over each three-month outcome period. The ETF seeks to capture a portion of market gains, determined by a quarterly participation rate. The percentage of the upside return from the reference asset that the fund seeks to capture. At each reset, AIOO reestablishes full downside protection. QBSF seeks a 15% buffer against market declines, with upside exposure capped and reset every three months prior to taking into account any fees or expense of the fund. This structure allows investors to regularly refresh upside potential while maintaining protection against moderate losses. Historically, over 92% of quarterly S&P 500® declines since 1950 have fallen within QBSF's 15% buffer range.¹

“With the volatility we’ve seen in 2025, investors need tools that can adapt just as quickly as the market moves while fitting cleanly into a broader portfolio strategy,” said Charles Champagne, Head of ETF Strategy at AllianzIM. “AIOO and QBSF strike that balance. Their quarterly reset structure offers a timely way to refresh upside potential and reestablish downside protection without the need to constantly monitor multiple series.”

Offered at an expense ratio of 64 basis points annually, the AIOO and QBSF offer investors a streamlined approach to managing equity exposure with a hedge against market downturns.

“At AllianzIM, our focus is on delivering risk management strategies that align with the evolving goals of investors and their investment professionals,” said Chris Chambs, CEO of AllianzIM. “AIOO and QBSF further strengthen the AllianzIM buffered ETF lineup, providing new avenues to participate in market growth while helping to guard against downside risk. These strategies are built to help investors remain invested with greater confidence, even in challenging markets.”

AIOO and QBSF utilize AllianzIM’s core strengths, which include risk management experience and in-house hedging capabilities. As part of one of the largest asset management and diversified insurance companies in the world (Allianz SE), AllianzIM uses the same proprietary in-house hedging platform that is used among affiliates to help manage more than $155 billion (as of 12/31/24) in hedged assets for institutional and retail investors around the globe. Offering a new way to help investors mitigate risk and reduce volatility, these ETFs complement Allianz Life’s suite of annuity and life insurance products.

To learn more about the AllianzIM U.S. Equity Buffer100 Protection ETF (AIOO) and the AllianzIM U.S. Equity Buffer15 ETF (QBSF), visit www.allianzIMetfs.com.

¹ Source: Morningstar Direct as of 12/31/2024.

Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal. For more information on investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses, please visit www.allianzIMetfs.com or call 877.429.3837. Investors should read the prospectus carefully before investing. There is no guarantee the funds will achieve their investment objectives, and investors may lose their entire investment. Holding Fund Shares for the entire Outcome Period is necessary to achieve the target outcomes.

The Buffered ETFs’ investment strategies are different from more typical investment products, and the funds may be unsuitable for some investors. It is important that investors understand the investment strategy before making an investment. For more information regarding whether an investment in the funds is right for you, please see the prospectus including “Investor Considerations.”

The returns may only be realized if investors are holding shares at the beginning of the Outcome Period and continue to hold them on the last day of the Outcome Period. If an investor purchases shares after the Outcome Period has begun or sells shares prior to the Outcome Period’s conclusion, he/she may experience investment returns very different from those that the Funds seeks to provide. Full extent of Caps, Participation Rates, and Buffers only apply if held for stated Outcome Period. There is no guarantee that the Cap or Participation Rate will remain the same after the end of the Outcome Period. The Cap or Participation Rate may increase or decrease and may vary per Series.

FLEX Options Risk: The Fund will utilize FLEX Options issued and guaranteed for settlement by the Options Clearing Corporation (“OCC”). The Fund bears the risk that the OCC will be unable or unwilling to perform its obligations under the FLEX Options contracts. In the unlikely event that the OCC becomes insolvent or is otherwise unable to meet its settlement obligations, the Fund could suffer significant losses. FLEX Options are customized equity or index options contracts that trade on an exchange, but provide investors with the ability to customize key contract terms like exercise prices, styles, and expiration dates. An options contract is an agreement between a buyer and seller that gives the purchaser of the option the right, but not the obligation, to buy (in the case of a call option), or to sell (in the case of a put option), a particular asset at a specified future date at an agreed upon price (commonly known as the “strike price”).

Allianz Investment Management LLC (AllianzIM), a wholly owned subsidiary of Alliance Life Insurance Company of North America, is a registered investment adviser and adviser to AllianzIM ETFs.

ETFs are distributed by Foreside Fund Services, LLC. Allianz Investment Management LLC and Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America are not affiliated with Foreside Fund Services, LLC

For additional information, please visit www.allianzIMetfs.com.

About Allianz Investment Management LLC

Allianz Investment Management LLC (AllianzIM) is an investment manager specializing in risk management strategies and innovative investment solutions. As a wholly owned subsidiary of Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America, AllianzIM leverages its extensive risk management expertise and proprietary hedging capabilities to deliver value to investors seeking downside risk mitigation and market participation.

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Brett Weinberg
763.765.7160
Brett.Weinberg@allianzlife.com

Source: Allianz Investment Management LLC