Point-to-Point / Point-to-Average

"Point-to-point" is a component of an index strategy where the beginning and ending values of the applicable index are measured from a beginning point that represents the closing price of that index on a given trading day. Thus a one-year point-to-point strategy might run from April 12th of one year through April 11th of the next year, assuming that the relevant market were open for trading on each of those days. If, for example, the ending date of April 11th were a holiday, the ending date of the strategy would be the next trading day.

"Point-to-average" refers to a single beginning date that is followed by and ending value that represents the average of a number of trading days at the end of the period. For example, a 5-year point-to-average strategy may end with the average of the last 90 trading days at the end of the 5 years. Point-to-average is used most in strategies of a longer duration than one year. (Back to IUL Table of Contents)