Quantified Common Ground Fund Takes a Dynamic Approach To ESG Investing

Common Ground rated five stars by Morningstar

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich., March 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Quantified Common Ground Fund (QCGDX) follows an ESG strategy that is appealing to investors looking for a sustainable investing option, according to Jerry Wagner, founder and president of Flexible Plan Investments, Ltd. and senior portfolio manager of the fund.

Launched in 2019, the Quantified Common Ground Fund was developed to invest in common stocks that can be considered compliant with Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) standards. In February, Morningstar awarded Common Ground a five-star rating overall and five stars for three years compared to 370 U.S. mid-cap blend funds.

The Common Ground Fund uses the CSRHub research tool to screen stocks in the S&P 1500 stock universe for corporate social responsibility (CSR) and ESG metrics. From those stocks that pass ESG standards, FPI creates over 50 different stock baskets based on a variety of fundamental and expert methodologies. Flexible Plan then employs its proprietary "Evolution" tactical methodology for selection of those stock baskets for purchase or sale. 

The result is a diversified, dynamically risk-managed portfolio of stocks that meet ESG requirements. Current sector holdings include energy, industrials, financial services and technology, with a mix of growth and value stocks.

"The response to the ESG strategy of the Quantified Common Ground Fund has been very positive. Overall we've seen enhanced interest in ESG and more investors seeking to diversify their portfolios with a sustainable investing approach," Wagner said.

With $1.6 billion in assets under management (AUM), Flexible Plan Investments is a manager of mutual funds and separately managed accounts. It is a subadvisor to Advisors Preferred, a boutique asset manager that manages and distributes mutual funds to financial advisors and financial professionals.

"As an active manager, Flexible Plan Investments has been in the market for more than 40 years providing dynamic, risk-managed fund solutions to advisors and their clients. Common Ground demonstrates just one example of FPI's innovative fund strategies that resonate with investors," said Catherine Ayers-Rigsby, president of Advisors Preferred.

For more information about the Quantified Funds, visit www.quantifiedfunds.com, www.flexibleplan.com, or www.advisorspreferred.com.

About Flexible Plan Investments, Ltd.

Established in 1981, Flexible Plan Investments, Ltd., invests over $1.6 billion in assets for clients in its separately managed account business (as of December 31, 2022). As a founding member of the National Association of Active Investment Managers (NAAIM), Flexible Plan Investments, a turnkey asset management program provider, is one of the trade association's largest and oldest active money managers. The company's mission is to provide investors with competitive returns, while reducing risk through the use of dynamic risk management, strategic diversification, and cutting-edge technology and support services. For more information, visit www.flexibleplan.com

About Advisors Preferred LLC

Advisors Preferred (www.advisorspreferred.com) is an infrastructure provider for investment advisory firms looking to create and distribute mutual funds. Acting as the adviser in a sub-advised structure, the firm helps advisers build their practices with actively managed mutual funds, as well as product consultation, market intelligence, product placement, sales reporting, compliance services, and advanced trading.

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The Morningstar Ratingtm for funds, or "star rating", is calculated for managed products (including mutual funds, variable annuity and variable life sub-accounts, exchange-traded funds, closed-end funds, and separate accounts) with at least a three-year history. Exchange-traded funds and open-ended mutual funds are considered a single population for comparative purposes. It is calculated based on a Morningstar Risk-Adjusted Return measure that accounts for variation in a managed product's monthly excess performance, placing more emphasis on downward variations and rewarding consistent performance. The Morningstar Rating does not include any adjustment for sales loads. The top 10% of products in each product category receive 5 stars, the next 22.5% receive 4 stars, the next 35% receive 3 stars, the next 22.5% receive 2 stars, and the bottom 10% receive 1 star. The Overall Morningstar Rating for a managed product is derived from a weighted average of the performance figures associated with its three-, five-, and 10-year (if applicable) Morningstar Rating metrics. The weights are: 100% three-year rating for 36-59 months of total returns, 60% five-year rating/40% three-year rating for 60-119 months of total returns, and 50% 10-year rating/30% five-year rating/20% three-year rating for 120 or more months of total returns. While the 10-year overall star rating formula seems to give the most weight to the 10- year period, the most recent three-year period actually has the greatest impact because it is included in all three rating periods.

Quantified Common Ground was rated against the following numbers of U.S. Mid-Cap Blend Funds over the following time periods: 370 funds overall and 370 funds in the last three years. With respect to these Mid-Cap Blend Funds, the Quantified Common Ground Fund received a 5 star rating overall and 5 stars for three years.

Ceros Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC, serves as distributor to the funds and is a commonly held affiliate of Advisors Preferred. Advisors Preferred and Ceros are not affiliated with the funds' subadvisers.

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The Fund's BRI focus may cause the Fund to forego certain investment opportunities that do not have a similar focus. The exclusion of certain issuers for reasons other than performance may negatively impact the Fund's performance.

There is no guarantee any investment strategy will generate a profit or prevent a loss. There is no guarantee the funds will achieve their investment objectives.

An investor should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the funds before investing. This and other information can be found in the funds' prospectus and summary prospectus, which can be obtained by calling 1-855-650-7453. The prospectus should be read carefully before investing.

SOURCE Advisors Preferred LLC