BlackRock announces the launch of two active buffer ETFs, marking the next step in making outcome-oriented investment strategies accessible to a wider range of investors. These funds provide exposure to the S&P 500 Index while employing options to deliver targeted downside protection, in exchange for a cap on potential upside.
The introduction of buffer ETFs reflects a growing demand for strategies that help investors navigate macroeconomic uncertainty with more predictable outcomes. According to the BlackRock Investment Institute, capital preservation in volatile markets requires tactical approaches that actively mitigate downside risks[1]. As global demographics shift and investors face new market challenges, investors increasingly seek tools which balance participation in equity markets with protection against losses.
Outcome ETFs provide this balance by offering exposure to growth assets while embedding buffers that can reduce the impact of market downturns, helping investors stay invested during periods of heightened volatility rather than exiting markets prematurely.
· MAXS seeks to provide up to 100% downside protection over a one-year outcome period.
· USDB offers a quarterly reset with a -5% to -20% protection range, appealing to investors who want more frequent re-alignments in line with shorter-term market dynamics.
At the conclusion of each outcome period, the cap and buffer reset automatically, giving investors a renewed framework for managing risks and potential returns.
These new Buffer ETFs leverage BlackRock’s superior trading and capital market expertise, combining total return swaps with listed exchange-traded options to deliver the defined outcome strategy in a precise and robust manner. By embedding option strategies inside ETFs, BlackRock makes these sophisticated approaches more accessible and scalable for a broader set of clients, expanding access to outcomes traditionally delivered through more complex instruments, such as structured products. Outcome ETFs, such as these new launches, unlock access to institutional-style risk management strategies via the convenience, efficiency and transparency of the ETF wrapper.
Manuela Sperandeo, Co-Head of iShares Europe at BlackRock, said:
“Outcome ETFs are powerful tools in today’s markets, offering clarity and confidence in how investors can pursue their goals. By expanding access to these strategies in Europe, we’re helping investors tackle the dual challenge of seeking growth and managing risk in an increasingly unpredictable world.”
| ETF Name | Ticker | Listing Venues | Approximate Downside protection | Outcome Period | TER | Anticipated Launch Date |
| iShares US Large Cap Deep Buffer UCITS ETF USD (Acc) | USDB | LSE (GBP), Euronext AMS (USD) Borsa Italiana (EUR), SIX (USD) | -5% to -20% | Quarterly | 0.50% | 3rd October 2025 |
| iShares US Large Cap Max Buffer Sep UCITS ETF USD (Acc) | MAXS | Up to -100% | Annual | 0.50% | 3rd October 2025 |
[1] Source: BlackRock Investment Institute A bigger role for active strategies 27 February 2024
