BlackRock has introduced a new alternative-strategy exchange-traded fund under the Rosenberg brand, targeting investors seeking diversification through non-traditional market exposures. The ETF, launched on December 15, 2025, began trading with $1.2 billion in initial assets under management.
- Rosenberg Alternative Strategy ETF (RAS) launched on December 15, 2025
- Initial assets under management: $1.2 billion
- Expense ratio: 0.65%
- Target volatility: 6% to 8%
- Over 70% of capital from U.S. wealth management firms and pension funds
- Quarterly rebalancing with 10% maximum drawdown threshold
BlackRock's latest addition to its ETF lineup, the Rosenberg Alternative Strategy ETF (ticker: RAS), debuted on December 15, 2025, marking a strategic expansion into alternative investment strategies accessible via exchange-traded instruments. The fund is designed to provide exposure to a diversified portfolio of non-correlated return drivers, including global macro, statistical arbitrage, and event-driven strategies, aiming to reduce overall portfolio volatility during market turbulence. The ETF's launch follows growing investor demand for alternatives that operate independently of traditional equity and fixed-income benchmarks. RAS is structured with a low expense ratio of 0.65%, a fee tier that positions it competitively within the alternative ETF space. Initial institutional and retail investor commitments totaled $1.2 billion, with over 70% of the capital originating from U.S.-based wealth management firms and pension funds. Market analysts note that the ETF's diversified strategy allows it to generate returns through multiple sources, including long-short equity positions and fixed-income arbitrage, with a target volatility profile of 6% to 8%—significantly lower than traditional hedge fund benchmarks. The fund's holdings are rebalanced quarterly, with risk controls in place to limit drawdowns exceeding 10% in any calendar quarter. The launch is expected to influence investor behavior in the ETF sector, particularly among financial advisors seeking low-cost, liquid alternatives for client portfolios. RAS's performance will be closely watched as a benchmark for future BlackRock alternative ETFs, potentially setting a precedent for similar products from other major asset managers.