AllianzIM Expands Buffered ETF Suite Amid Ongoing Economic Uncertainty

MINNEAPOLIS - March 1, 2023 - Allianz Investment Management LLC (AllianzIM), a wholly owned subsidiary of Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America, announced the launch of two new Buffered ETFs with a 12-month Outcome Period: The AllianzIM U.S. Large Cap Buffer10 Mar ETF (NYSE Arca: MART) and the AllianzIM U.S. Large Cap Buffer20 Mar ETF (NYSE Arca: MARW).

As the latest addition to AllianzIM’s suite of U.S. Large Cap Buffered ETFs, MART and MARW provide investors access to versatile risk mitigation strategies amid shifting market and economic conditions. The ETFs seek to offer a downside Buffer of 10% or 20% against market drops while allowing investors the opportunity to participate in the upside potential of the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust up to a stated Cap.

According to Allianz Life’s Q4 Quarterly Market Perceptions study², the vast majority of Americans (77%) say they think the market will continue to be very volatile in 2023. To help ease the minds of concerned investors, AllianzIM remains committed to providing investors with more avenues to seek risk mitigation amid inflation and turbulent markets.

“As inflation continues to threaten people’s financial security, our Buffered ETFs provide investors with the opportunity to benefit from market gains while helping mitigate the risk of major losses," said Johan Grahn, head ETF market strategist at AllianzIM. "Through these cost-effective and accessible products, we are helping people stay invested even in times of economic uncertainty."

Offered at an expense ratio of 74 basis points, AllianzIM’s extensive suite of Buffered ETFs is offered with six and 12-month outcome periods. The 12-month Outcome Period of the March series ETFs will be March 1, 2023 to February 29, 2024. Each Outcome Period reflects a new stated Cap commensurate with prevailing market conditions, allowing investors to remain invested with a level of risk mitigation.

"Our ETFs provide advisors and their clients enhanced access to solutions that can help address the risk associated with volatile markets,” said Brian Muench, president of AllianzIM. “While 2023 is off to a better start in equity markets than 2022, we know a wide range of uncertainties may threaten investment returns in the months ahead. The AllianzIM team strives to offer consistent strategies to help weather market shifts.”

The AllianzIM Buffered ETFs seek to leverage 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, AllianzIM, with AUM of $17.5 billion (as of 12/31/22), is powered by the same proprietary in-house hedging platform that is used among affiliates to help manage more than $149 billion (as of 12/31/22) in hedged assets for institutional and retail investors around the globe. Offering a new way to help investors seek to mitigate risk and reduce volatility, these Buffered ETFs complement Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America’s (Allianz Life)  suite of annuity and life insurance products.

For more information on the AllianzIM Buffered ETF suite, please visit www.allianzIMetfs.com.

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."

¹ Gross reflects the Cap and Buffer prior to taking into account the 0.74% expense ratio of the ETF while Net accounts for the expense ratio, but does not include brokerage commissions, trading fees, taxes and non-routine or extraordinary expenses. The Cap and Buffer experienced by investors may be different than the stated numbers. The funds’ website, at www.allianzIMetfs.com, provides important fund information as well as information relating to the potential outcomes of an investment in the Fund on a daily basis.

²Allianz Life conducted an online survey, the 2022 Q4 Quarterly Market Perceptions Study in December 2022 with a nationally representative sample of 1,005 Respondents age 18+.

Investing involves risk including possible loss of principal.

Investors may lose their entire investment, regardless of when they purchase shares, and even if they hold shares for an entire Outcome Period. Full extent of Caps and Buffers only apply if held for stated Outcome Period and are not guaranteed. The Cap may increase or decrease and may vary significantly.

Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. For a prospectus with this and other information about the Fund, please visit www.allianzIMetfs.com or call 877.429.3837. Read the prospectus carefully before investing.

The Funds seek to deliver returns that match, at the end of a specified one-year or six-month period (outcome period) the share price returns of the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust up to a predetermined Cap, while limiting downside losses by the amount of a specified Buffer, before fees and expenses. There is no guarantee the funds will achieve their investment objectives. You may lose your entire investment, regardless of when you purchase shares, and even if you hold shares for an entire Outcome Period. The Fund may not be suitable for all investors.

ETFs distributed by Foreside Fund Services, LLC.