Income-oriented strategies available in equity and fixed-Income portfolios. Models-based separately managed account platform provider Curian Capital has expanded its Custom Style Portfolios program to include two income-focused implementation strategies: an active-income equity strategy and a fixed-income "Yield Focus" portfolio that emphasizes income generation while aiming to protectinvestors from the negative effects of inflation.

"Clients need choice and flexibility in their investments, particularly during volatile markets and times of economic uncertainty," says Curian's CEO Michael Bell. "By continuing to expand our offering to include a broad range of asset classes and investment options, Curian is able to deliver a comprehensive set of solutions for investors of all risk profiles, time horizons and financial situations."

Nimbler

Denver-based Curian has selected three new investment managers to assist in the management of its new income-implementation strategies: Legg Mason's ClearBridge Advisors, Geneva Investment Management of Chicago and Standard & Poor's Investment Advisory group.

Curian's Yield Focus Portfolio offers broad-based exposure to U.S. fixed-income securities, including a minority portion allocated to preferred stocks through investing in Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs). It focuses on sectors that Curian believes may provide higher levels of income than those in the broader investment-grade bond market.

The active-income strategy seeks to offer clients the opportunity to generate a reliable stream of income that has the potential to grow over time, with dedicated asset managers concentrating on dividend-paying stocks. It's suited to retirees seeking a reliable source of income and investors who want to balance a growth-oriented portfolio to achieve better diversification and, potentially, offset losses in volatile markets.

Curian's implementation strategies differ from the traditional approach of trying to find the manager or stock with the best performance in that they focus on selecting a group of managers and investment vehicles that best suit the client's temperament and historical investing behavior, according to the firm's CIO Steve Young. "Our goal is to maximize the likelihood that investors will adhere to their strategic asset-allocation plans over the long term, which is especially important during volatile markets."

Curian, a subsidiary of Lansing, Mich.-based Jackson National Life Insurance, gets most of its business from independent brokers, but also works with RIAs, banks and credit-union service organizations. It had $3.2 billion in assets under management at the end of September 2008. -FWR

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