A new investment fund, based on Military Times’ Best for Vets Employers rankings, launches today and will allow investors to put their money behind the companies that do the most to support veterans, service members and military families.
For years, government leaders, veterans service organizations and many of the nation's most successful companies have said that the unique leadership skills and teamwork that veterans bring to the corporate world can benefit a company’s bottom line.
The Pacer Military Times Best Employers ETF, trading under the ticker symbol VETS, turns that concept into an investment fund.
“In creating our new ETF (exchange-traded fund), we are spotlighting companies that do more than just appreciate America’s veterans,” said Joe Thomson, founder and president of Pacer Financial Inc., one of the companies behind the new fund. “They also understand that America’s military develops amazing employees. Companies with a culture that supports veterans have proven themselves to be among the most well-run.”
Starting today, investors can invest in the fund through their individual brokerage accounts or through their financial advisors, using the ticker symbol VETS.
In order to be included as part of the fund, which was created through a partnership among Military Times, VETS Indexes and Pacer, companies must have demonstrated a strong track record of support for veterans through Military Times’ Best for Vets Employers rankings. These rankings are based on a 90-question survey, conducted annually by Military Times since 2010, which examines, in great detail, company rules and practices related to military recruitment efforts, corporate culture, reservist policies and military/veteran policies.
Only companies that stand out from their peers in this survey make it into Military Times’ Best for Vets Employers rankings. And only companies that have consistently made the rankings over multiple years are eligible for the investment fund.
In order to be included in the fund, companies also must have a market cap of at least $200 million and meet a liquidity threshold.
“Military Times is proud to provide the independent research for this exciting new index offering,” said David Smith, president of Sightline Media Group, the parent company of Military Times. “Our ‘Best for Vets Employers’ rankings of the top companies with veteran initiatives and programs have been the premier listings in this space for a decade. They are the product of our in-depth, independent research, vetting and analysis. Basing the VETS Index on this list makes sense, and we will always remain true to the independence, integrity and authority of this list.”
Pacer has pledged to donate 10 percent of the management fees that the company earns through the fund to veteran-related charities. VETS Indexes plans to contribute as much as 20 percent, but no less than 5 percent, of its net profit from the fund to military- and veteran-related charities.
“I’m often asked if this is an emotional, ‘feel good’ index,” said Andre Corpuz, managing director of VETS Indexes. “The only ‘feel good’ part of the equation at VETS Indexes is that we are donating a target of up to 20% of our net profits to veteran affinity groups and strongly encourage our financial product manufacturers to donate a portion of theirs as well. And that makes us feel good.”
Before investing, you should carefully consider the fund’s investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses. This and other information is in the prospectus. A copy may be obtained by visiting www.paceretfs.com or calling 1-877-337-0500. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing.
An investment in the funds is subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of principal. Pacer ETF shares may be bought and sold on an exchange through a brokerage account. Brokerage commissions and ETF expenses will reduce investment returns. There can be no assurance that an active trading market for ETF shares will be developed or maintained. The risks associated with these funds are detailed in the prospectus and could include factors such as concentration risk, equity market risk, index criteria risk, international operations risk, market capitalization risk, new fund risk, non-diversification risk, passive investment risk, sector risk, tracking risk, and/or special risks of exchange traded funds.
Military Times will receive a portion of fund fees through a revenue share agreement.
