ETF Sage
Canadian ETF knowledgebase
ETF Sage
Canadian ETF knowledgebase
Horizons HVU seeks daily investment results, before fees, expenses, distributions, brokerage commissions and other transaction costs that endeavour to correspond to two times (200%) the daily performance of the S&P 500 VIX (
) Short-Term Futures Index.
Any U.S. dollar gains or losses as a result of the ETF’s investment will be hedged back to the Canadian dollar to the best of the ETF’s ability.
Volatility is a market condition that is easier to identify than it is to manage. Since 1993, the CBOE has calculated and published its proprietary measurement of implied and expected volatility of the S&P 500 over a 30 day period, the CBOE Volatility Index.
The S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures Index, the underlying index, seeks to offer exposure to market volatility through publicly traded futures markets. Specifically, the Underlying Index measures the excess return from a daily rolling long position in the first and second month VIX Futures Contracts.
VIX Futures Contracts are based on the value of the VIX Index at a predetermined future date. The VIX Index is calculated based on the prices of put and call options on the S&P 500.
The VIX Index is a theoretical calculation and cannot be traded on a market price basis.
While it is important to understand the VIX Index and VIX Futures Contracts in order to understand the composition of the Underlying Index, neither the VIX Index nor individual VIX Futures Contracts are the benchmark or underlying index for this ETF.
Historically, the Underlying Index has tended to revert to a historical mean. As a result, the performance of the Underlying Index is expected to be negative over the longer term.
The Fund utilizes a Forward Agreement structure to gain exposure to the target portfolio.
Be aware that the forward structure adds additional costs to the ETF. These costs are not included in the MER.
| Fundamentals | |
|---|---|
| Category (main) | Leveraged (2x Bull) Volatility USA |
| Category (other) | Leveraged (2x Bull) |
| Underlying Index |
S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures Index |
| ETF Structure | Passive type. Leveraged (2x). Endeavours to return 2x (200%) the daily Index return before fees/costs |
| Asset Class |
Volatility |
| Region |
USA |
| Issuer | Horizons ETFs (Canada) |
| ETF Home Page | Available here |
| Fund Facts | |
|---|---|
| Inception Date | Dec 16, 2010 |
| Total Holdings |
Unknown |
Distribution Frequency  |
None |
| Leverage |
Yes 2x (200%) |
| Significant Currency Exposure
|
Yes |
| Currency Hedging
|
Yes |
| Fees | |
|---|---|
| Management Fee |
0.85% |
| Management Expense Ratio (MER) |
1.32% * |
| Forward Structure Costs | 0.30% |
* 2011, 2010 (1.30%)
| Trading Information | |
|---|---|
| Ticker | HVU |
| Exchange |
TSX (Toronto Stock Exchange) |
| Currency |
CAD |
| Eligibility | |
|---|---|
| Eligibility * |
RRSP, RRIF, RESP, TFSA, DPSP, RDSP |
| DRIP available ** |
No |
| PACC Plan available ** |
No |
| SWP available ** |
No |
* Always check eligibility with your plan operator as plans and accounts can differ
** Not all brokers can facilitate these plans. Check with your broker.
To view the TSX or Morningstar fund page for this ETF click on the Fund Data menu tab or below:
Historically, the Underlying Index (S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures Index) has tended to revert to a historical mean. As a result, the performance of the Underlying Index is expected to be negative over the longer term.
Leveraged ETFs expose you to significantly greater risk than non-leveraged ETFs - the greater the leverage, the greater the risk.
Before buying an ETF that employs leverage ensure you understand the additional risks the leverage exposes you to and how that leverage is employed.
These ETFs are reset/rebalanced daily. Consequently they will not and should not be expected to replicate the return (or 2x, inverse or inverse 2x) of their underlying index over any period of time other than daily.
The returns of leveraged ETFs over periods longer than one day will likely differ in amount and possibly direction from the performance of their underlying index for the same period. This effect becomes more pronounced as the volatility of the underlying index increases.
Investors should monitor investments in leveraged ETFs on a daily basis.
Typically leveraged ETFs are held for small periods only, frequently a single day.
Do not invest in leveraged ETFs unless you fully understand the risks involved and how your particular ETF works. You should have a high risk tolerance and ability to bear risk - if you don't, avoid leveraged ETFs.