Key Takeaways
- • Forge First Asset Management, a wholly owned subsidiary of CI Global Asset Management (CI GAM), launched ETF series and U.S. dollar hedged series of its liquid alternative funds, according to a Business Wire release dated October 15, 2026.
- • CI Forge First Conservative Alternative Fund (risk rating Low) began trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange under tickers CCAF (ETF C$ Series) and CCAF.U (ETF US$ Hedged Series).
- • CI Forge First Long Short Alternative Fund (risk rating Low-to-Medium) began trading on the TSX under tickers CLSF (ETF C$ Series) and CLSF.U (ETF US$ Hedged Series).
- • Both funds are now also offered in U.S. dollar Hedged Series AH, FH, IH and PH, in addition to Series A, F, I and P.
- • The launch expands CI GAM's ETF lineup, which the firm describes as one of the most diverse in Canada, with 128 ETFs and $39 billion in assets under management.
Summary
Forge First Asset Management Inc. ("Forge First"), a wholly owned subsidiary of CI Global Asset Management ("CI GAM"), has launched ETF series and U.S. dollar hedged series of its liquid alternative funds, according to a press release distributed by Business Wire. The move gives investors expanded access to strategies that the firm says balance capital preservation with long-term growth.
The ETF series of two funds closed their initial offerings of units and began trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange. The CI Forge First Conservative Alternative Fund trades as CCAF (ETF C$ Series) and CCAF.U (ETF US$ Hedged Series). The CI Forge First Long Short Alternative Fund trades as CLSF (ETF C$ Series) and CLSF.U (ETF US$ Hedged Series). Both funds are also available in U.S. dollar Hedged Series AH, FH, IH and PH, alongside existing Series A, F, I and P.
Jennifer Sinopoli, Executive Vice-President and Chief Distribution Officer for Forge First and CI GAM, said the funds offer "proven expertise in using a broad range of alternative strategies and asset classes to provide investors with downside protection." She said the strategies are combined with fundamental research and disciplined security selection, with a focus on consistent, risk-adjusted returns and low correlation to traditional asset classes. She added that the launch expands the alternative ETF mandates at CI GAM.
According to the fund descriptions, the Conservative Alternative Fund seeks consistent risk-adjusted net returns over the long term with low correlation to North American equity and credit markets. The Long Short Alternative Fund seeks a positive net total return regardless of market conditions or general market direction, with similar low correlation. Both funds use strategies such as equity long/short, pairs trading, arbitrage trading, thematic trading, and derivatives or borrowing for leverage, investing primarily in equities, ETFs, fixed income and listed options in North American markets.
The release notes that alternative funds can use strategies not permitted for conventional mutual funds, and that these may accelerate declines in value during certain market conditions. Forge First is a wholly owned subsidiary of CI Investments Inc., operating as CI Global Asset Management, which is itself a wholly owned subsidiary of CI Financial Corp. The release is third-party paid content that The Globe and Mail has not reviewed.
The ETF series of two funds closed their initial offerings of units and began trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange. The CI Forge First Conservative Alternative Fund trades as CCAF (ETF C$ Series) and CCAF.U (ETF US$ Hedged Series). The CI Forge First Long Short Alternative Fund trades as CLSF (ETF C$ Series) and CLSF.U (ETF US$ Hedged Series). Both funds are also available in U.S. dollar Hedged Series AH, FH, IH and PH, alongside existing Series A, F, I and P.
Jennifer Sinopoli, Executive Vice-President and Chief Distribution Officer for Forge First and CI GAM, said the funds offer "proven expertise in using a broad range of alternative strategies and asset classes to provide investors with downside protection." She said the strategies are combined with fundamental research and disciplined security selection, with a focus on consistent, risk-adjusted returns and low correlation to traditional asset classes. She added that the launch expands the alternative ETF mandates at CI GAM.
According to the fund descriptions, the Conservative Alternative Fund seeks consistent risk-adjusted net returns over the long term with low correlation to North American equity and credit markets. The Long Short Alternative Fund seeks a positive net total return regardless of market conditions or general market direction, with similar low correlation. Both funds use strategies such as equity long/short, pairs trading, arbitrage trading, thematic trading, and derivatives or borrowing for leverage, investing primarily in equities, ETFs, fixed income and listed options in North American markets.
The release notes that alternative funds can use strategies not permitted for conventional mutual funds, and that these may accelerate declines in value during certain market conditions. Forge First is a wholly owned subsidiary of CI Investments Inc., operating as CI Global Asset Management, which is itself a wholly owned subsidiary of CI Financial Corp. The release is third-party paid content that The Globe and Mail has not reviewed.
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