Main Management
Main Management is a San Francisco-based independent investment advisory firm founded in 2002 that manages four ETFs (BUYW, SECT, TMAT, INTL) and provides separately managed accounts and sub-advisory services to high-net-worth individuals, financial advisors, foundations, and endowments using a dual-active BuyWrite methodology.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2002
- HeadquartersSan Francisco, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Main Management does
Main Management, LLC is an independent, SEC-registered investment advisory firm headquartered at 601 California Street, Suite 300, in San Francisco, founded in 2002 by Kim Arthur, James Concidine, and Ambassador J. Richard Fredericks. The firm serves high-net-worth individuals and families, foundations and endowments, third-party RIAs, and broker-dealers, and operates as sub-adviser to other advisory firms. Its product surface spans four ETFs (BUYW — the Main BuyWrite ETF, plus SECT, TMAT, and INTL), separately managed accounts providing the same strategies, and a Custom Model Partnership service for institutions; distribution is executed through Northern Lights Distributors, LLC, an advisor portal, the LPL Financial ETF No Transaction Fee program, and the SMArtX Manager Marketplace.
The firm's core technology is a dual-active BuyWrite methodology: an investment committee selects 8–12 sector and industry ETFs using a 20-year fundamental-with-catalyst framework, then simultaneously writes covered-call options against the underlying holdings. The strategy is engineered to combine capital appreciation from ETF allocation, options premium, and dividend income into a target yield of approximately 6% annually (50 basis points monthly), with tax-aware position management intended to limit return erosion versus passive hedged-equity peers. The BuyWrite composite carries a GIPS-verified track record of nearly 20 years and is among the original 15 strategies in the Morningstar Derivative Income category.
Main Management monetizes through recurring streams: investment advisory fees on separately managed accounts and direct relationships, sub-advisory retainers, and ETF expense-ratio revenue distributed via Northern Lights. Go-to-market is sales-led, mediated primarily through financial advisors (reinforced by the LPL NTF onboarding) and dedicated sales coverage for institutional and "mini institution" segments. Thought leadership — CNBC ETF Edge, Schwab Network, podcasts, weekly market notes, and the firm's website — is the principal top-of-funnel demand-generation channel.
Main Management firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Main Management
- Legal name
- Main Management, LLC
- Website
- https://mainmgt.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2002
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Main Management is a San Francisco-based independent investment advisory firm founded in 2002 that manages four ETFs (BUYW, SECT, TMAT, INTL) and provides separately managed accounts and sub-advisory services to high-net-worth individuals, financial advisors, foundations, and endowments using a dual-active BuyWrite methodology.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Main Management industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Investment Management
- NAICS
- Portfolio Management and Investment Advice (523940), Open-End Investment Funds (525910)
- SIC
- Investment Advice (6282)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Advisory Portfolio Management (Non-Discretionary) (FSAAABAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Comprehensive Financial Planning (FSAEAAAA), Quantitative/Systematic Equity (Active) (FSAAAIAL)
Keywords
Where Main Management is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Francisco
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Main Management business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Investment Advisory Fees: Registered investment adviser providing investment management services primarily to high-net-worth individuals, family groups, foundations/endowments,收取管理费用.
- Sub-Advisory Services: Serves as sub-adviser to third-party investment advisers and broker-dealers, providing portfolio management expertise for their clients.
- ETF Management (BUYW, SECT, TMAT, INTL): Manages exchange-traded funds including Main BuyWrite ETF (BUYW), generating expense ratio revenue. Distributed through Northern Lights Distributors, LLC.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
Main Management product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Main Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser that sells and manages a lineup of four ETFs (BUYW, SECT, TMAT, INTL) built around a dual-active methodology combining fundamental sector/industry ETF selection with active covered-call options writing. The firm also delivers customized investment management through separately managed accounts, sub-advisory mandates, and a custom model consulting service for advisors and institutional clients.
Product overview
Main Management is an investment advisory firm founded in 2002 offering a platform of ETF products and advisory services. Their ETF lineup includes four distinct products: Main BuyWrite ETF (BUYW) - an actively managed covered call strategy; SECT - a sector rotation ETF; TMAT - a thematic innovation ETF; and INTL - an actively managed international allocation ETF. These ETFs are complemented by separately managed accounts providing access to similar strategies, plus custom model partnership services for institutions. The firm pioneered BuyWrite strategies with a 20-year track record, combining sophisticated income generation with volatility management.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Main Management ETFs: ETF product line including SECT, BUYW, TMAT, and INTL funds
- Main BuyWrite ETF (BUYW)
- INTL ETF
- TMAT ETF
- SECT ETF
Products and services
- Main BuyWrite ETF (BUYW) Actively managed covered call writing strategy ETF that invests in 8-12 sector and industry ETFs selected through fundamental analysis while writing covered calls against the position to generate income and reduce volatility. Intended for advisors and investors seeking hedged equity exposure with an approximately 6% annualized yield target.
- SECT ETF Sector rotation ETF offering exposure to various sector themes through ETFs using Main Management's top-down active sector rotation framework.
- TMAT ETF Thematic innovation ETF offering targeted exposure to thematic growth areas covered by Main Management's Thematic Innovation research process.
- INTL ETF Actively managed international allocation ETF focusing on specific countries, regions, and subsectors. Analyzes fundamental data to assess whether a sector, country, or geographic region is expected to undergo transformative change that may lead to near-term price appreciation.
- Separately Managed Accounts Custom investment management offered through separately managed accounts, providing HNW individuals, family groups, foundations, and endowments access to thematic and BuyWrite strategies. Includes custom portfolio construction aligned with Main Management's dual-active methodology.
- Custom Model Partnership Custom model consulting service for advisors and institutions seeking tailored investment solutions built around Main Management's ETF and strategy lineup.
Quantifiable outcome
- BUYW achieved top decile ranking in Morningstar Derivative Income category with positive performance return in 2022 (a year when both bonds and equities experienced unprecedented negative performance)
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Main Management
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Main Management technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Main Management partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and minor.
- LPL FinancialcoreMain Management ETF Advisors joined LPL Financial's ETF No Transaction Fee (NTF) Sponsorship Program, enabling advisors on the LPL platform to offer Main Management's ETFs (including BUYW, SECT, TMAT, INTL) without transaction fees.
- Northern Lights Distributors, LLCcoreNorthern Lights Distributors, LLC serves as the principal underwriter and distributor for Main Management's ETF products. Main BuyWrite Fund is distributed by Northern Lights Distributors, LLC, a member of FINRA/SIPC.
- Pacific ChoralecoreStrategic endowment management partnership with Pacific Chorale, a GRAMMY Award-winning nonprofit arts organization. Main Management provides investment management, strategic marketing guidance, and regular portfolio reviews to support the organization's long-term financial stability and mission.
- TAM Multi-Market Portfolio (Toews, AAMA)supportingQuarterly joint commentary partnership with Toews and AAMA strategists in the TAM Multi-Market portfolio series, providing multi-perspective market commentary for advisors and investors.
- Curtis FortminorCollaboration with bronze sculptor Curtis Fort to create a commemorative 'Bear, Bull, Pig' bronze bust celebrating Main Management's 20th anniversary, symbolizing market cycles and investment philosophy.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Main Management competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Cambiar Investors: Boutique active equity manager serving institutional and advisor channels with fundamental, style-pure strategies. Comparable boutique RIA structure serving foundations, endowments, and HNW clients.
- WisdomTree Investments: Manages QDTE and other derivative income ETFs that overlap with BUYW in the covered call/options-income category. Established ETF issuer offering active and rules-based option-overlaid equity strategies.
- JPMorgan Asset Management: Manages the JEPI and JEPQ ETFs, which are among the largest covered call / equity income ETFs and directly compete with BUYW in the Morningstar Derivative Income category. Comparable active covered call overlay strategy on equity portfolios serving advisor channels.
- Simplify Asset Management: Manages a suite of option-overlay and derivative income ETFs that compete directly with BUYW in the Morningstar Derivative Income category. Active ETF issuer using options-based strategies for income and hedged equity exposure.
- Global X ETFs: Issues the QYLD, XYLD, XYLD, and other covered call ETFs that compete in the same Derivative Income category as BUYW. Comparable covered call methodology on equity index ETFs with broad advisor distribution.
- Amplify ETFs: Offers income and covered call ETFs (e.g., YYYY, QDVO) competing with BUYW. Thematic and option-overlay ETF issuer serving financial advisors with income-oriented strategies.
- Neos Investments: Operates a covered call ETF suite (e.g., BTCI, SPYI) directly competing with BUYW in derivative income strategies. Comparable active options-overlay ETF platform targeting advisor and retail yield-seeking investors.
- RiverFront Investment Group: Active ETF issuer with covered call and dynamic income strategies (e.g., RFIX, RFDA) directly comparable to Main Management's hedged equity and options-overlay ETFs. Serves advisor channel with similar yield-oriented strategies.
- Gresham Investment Management: Boutique asset manager specializing in tactical asset allocation and defensive equity strategies. Comparable boutique RIA serving institutional and HNW clients with active equity and hedged equity mandates.
Broad incumbents
- Parametric Portfolio Associates: Custom portfolio management firm offering customized equity and hedged equity strategies to advisors and institutions. Overlaps with Main Management's SMA and custom model partnership offerings, though at much larger scale.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Main Management social profiles
Digital presenceMain Management financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Main Management leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Main Management subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Main Management funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Main Management M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Main Management
What does Main Management do?
Main Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser that sells and manages a lineup of four ETFs (BUYW, SECT, TMAT, INTL) built around a dual-active methodology combining fundamental sector/industry ETF selection with active covered-call options writing. The firm also delivers customized investment management through separately managed accounts, sub-advisory mandates, and a custom model consulting service for advisors and institutional clients.
Is Main Management a public or private company?
Main Management is a private company. It is classified as management employee owned and is currently operating.
When was Main Management founded?
Main Management was founded in 2002. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Main Management based?
Main Management is headquartered in San Francisco, United States, in the North America region.
How does Main Management make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Investment Advisory Fees are the primary driver. The others are sub-Advisory Services and ETF Management (BUYW, SECT, TMAT, INTL).
Who are Main Management's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Cambiar Investors, WisdomTree Investments, JPMorgan Asset Management, Simplify Asset Management, Global X ETFs, Amplify ETFs, Neos Investments, RiverFront Investment Group and Gresham Investment Management. Parametric Portfolio Associates is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Main Management have an API?
No public API is recorded for Main Management.
What industry is Main Management in?
Main Management's product category is Investment Management. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSAAABAD, Advisory Portfolio Management (Non-Discretionary), with a secondary code of FSAEAAAA, Comprehensive Financial Planning. Its NAICS code is 523940 and its SIC code is 6282.