The rollout features a new international Uncapped Buffered ETF and quarterly-reset, single-ticker buffers providing exposure to U.S. and global indexes

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr. 1, 2026-- Allianz Investment Management LLC (AllianzIM), a subsidiary of Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America (Allianz Life) and adviser to the AllianzIM exchange-traded funds (ETFs), today announced the expansion of its Buffered ETF lineup with the launch of eight new strategies that seek to give investors more ways to stay invested while managing downside risk. The launch expands the international Uncapped Buffered series and introduces seven quarterly-reset, single-ticker buffered ETFs that offer investors exposure to the S&P 500 Index, Russell 2000 Index, Nasdaq-100 Index and developed international equities (investors are not directly invested in the index). Each fund provides a clearly defined downside buffer and an upside participation level tied to its respective index, offering straightforward implementation for advisors and investors.

The latest funds include:

• AllianzIM U.S. Equity Buffer5 ETF (QBSV) — Seeks a 5% downside buffer over three months with 1:1 upside to a cap, referencing the SPDR® S&P 500® ETF Trust (SPY).
• AllianzIM Growth-100 Buffer5 ETF (QBQV) — Seeks a 5% downside buffer over three months with 1:1 upside to a cap, referencing the Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ).
• AllianzIM Growth-100 Buffer15 ETF (QBQF) — Seeks a 15% downside buffer over three months with 1:1 upside to a cap, referencing the Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ).
• AllianzIM Small Cap Buffer5 ETF (QBKV) — Seeks a 5% downside buffer over three months with 1:1 upside to a cap, referencing the iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM).
• AllianzIM Small Cap Buffer15 ETF (QBKF) — Seeks a 15% downside buffer over three months with 1:1 upside to a cap, referencing the iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM).
• AllianzIM International Equity Buffer5 ETF (QBIV) — Seeks a 5% downside buffer over three months with 1:1 upside to a cap, referencing the iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (EFA).
• AllianzIM International Equity Buffer15 ETF (QBIF) — Seeks a 15% downside buffer over three months with 1:1 upside to a cap, referencing the iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (EFA).
• AllianzIM International Equity Buffer15 Uncapped Apr ETF (ARLI) — As the latest addition to the AllianzIM Uncapped Buffered suite, ARLI offers broad international equity and asset exposure via the iShares® MSCI EAFE ETF (EFA) and seeks to reduce the impact of market drawdowns with a 15% downside buffer with uncapped upside beyond a spread over a 1 year outcome period.

“As market leadership continues to diverge, volatility persists, and investors reassess the AI trade, staying invested can feel more daunting,” said Charles Champagne, Head of ETF Strategy at AllianzIM. “This expanded lineup broadens access across additional indices and international equities, giving investors more ways to pursue upside participation with diversified buffered exposures.”

“At AllianzIM, we are committed to designing risk-management solutions to fit the changing needs of investors,” said Chris Chambs, CEO of AllianzIM. “By expanding our buffered ETF lineup across core U.S. and international exposures, we are supporting investors who want to stay invested and remain focused on long-term objectives.”

ARLI, QBSV, QBQV, QBQF, QBKV, QBKF, QBIV and QBIF all utilize the core strengths of AllianzIM, 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 $165.8 billion (as of 12/31/25) 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 advised by affiliate AllianzIM complement the Allianz Life suite of annuity and life insurance products.

To learn more about the funds, visit www.allianzIMetfs.com.

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, Spreads, and Buffers only apply if held for stated Outcome Period. There is no guarantee that the Cap or Spread will remain the same after the end of the Outcome Period. The Cap or Spread may increase or decrease and may vary per Series.

The spread cost represents the upside performance a shareholder forgoes in return for the downside risk mitigation provided by the buffer. Any upside performance as measured at the end of the outcome period will be reduced by the spread cost and management fee. The fund's performance will not reflect the entirety of any upside performance of the reference asset.

The reference asset (e.g., SPY, QQQ, IWM, EFA) is used solely to determine the fund’s outcome. The fund does not invest directly in the reference asset.

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 (Allianz Life), 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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Media Contact
Brett Weinberg
763.765.7160
Brett.Weinberg@allianzlife.com

Source: Allianz Investment Management LLC