P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; } Jean-Philippe Olivier has left his position as head of the delegated management department at the French pension fund Fonds de Réserve pour les Retraites (FRR), the website IPE reports. He left the public establishment, whose assets total about EUR36.6bn, last month, in order to take up a position as chief investment officer at Coface. Olivier had been working at the FRR since 2006.
P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; } Lawrence Remstedt, a portfolio manager at Axa Rosenberg, which he joined in 2008 after working at American Century Investments since 2003, has been promoted to head of institutional development & relations at Axa Investment Managers for the United States.
P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; } Richard M. Weil, CEO, has announced that as Ron Sachs has resigned and left the firm on 31 May, Janus Capital Group has recruited Doug Rao from Marsico Capital Management to manage the Jany Forty and Aspen Forty funds.Marc Pinto, who has spent 19 years as a part of the large cap growth equities team at Janus, has been appointed from 13 May as portfolio manager for the Janus Twenty Fund (a fund which is currently closed to new investors), also replacing Sachs. Pinto will also remain as co-portfolio manager of the Janus Balanced Fund and a portfolio manager of the Janus Growth & Income Fund.Also from 13 May, Jonathan Coleman has been appointed as a portoflio manager at the Janus Triton Fund. With Maneesh Modi, an equity analyst, Coleman will also be co-manager of the portfolio of the Janus Venture Fund. They replace Chad Meade and Brian Schaub, who will be leaving the business after a period of transition, in order to allow the new managers to take over command of the fund. Coleman joined Janus in 1994 and Modi in 2008. As a part of the reorganization, Jonathan Coleman will be leaving the management of the Janus Fund and the Aspen Janus Portoflio, which he had co-managed, to Barney Wilson, who joined Janus in 2005 and who had been the other co-manager of the two products.
Mirabaud is adding a new capability to its intermediation service with the formation of the Mirabaud M&A Advisory Group. The group will provide advice on corporate acquisitions and disposals, as well as related financing and strategic advice.Mirabaud has appointed, as partners of Mirabaud Securities LLP, four senior M&A practitioners, Maneksh Dattani, Ian Macfarlane, Paul Schultz and Nicolas Thum, previously partners at Europa Partners, to spearhead the new initiative. They each have more than 20 years’ experience in international mergers and acquisitions. Their existing clients range from FTSE 100 companies (and their equivalents) to financial sponsors and family-owned businesses. The team’s expertise covers a range of sectors and their transactions have been across four continents. The team will be based in London and will work closely with Mirabaud’s existing equity capital markets, debt capital markets and alternative capital teams, as well as Asset Management and Private Banking, throughout Mirabaud’s network.Maneksh DattaniDattani specialises in real estate and private equity related transactions, including financings. Prior to joining Mirabaud, Dattani was a partner at Europa Partners. Ian MacfarlaneMacfarlane specialises in financial institutions and industrials as well as the Nordic Region. Prior to joining Mirabaud, Macfarlane was a partner at Europa Partners. Paul SchultzSchultz specialises in the financial institutions sector. Prior to joining Mirabaud, Schultz was a partner at Europa Partners. Nicolas ThumThum specialises in the transportation & logistics sector. Prior to joining Mirabaud, he was a partner at Europa Partners.
P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; } Fundweb reports that Natixis Global Asset Management (NGAM) on 4 April launched the Loomis Sayles US Leaders Fund with seed capital fo USD5m from Aberdeen Asset Management via the Aberdeen Multi-Manager Constellation Portfolio. NGAM has contributed the same amount. It is the second offshore fund imported to the United Kingdom by NGAM, after the Loomis Sayles Strategic Income Fund.The manager at Loomis Sayles is vice president Aziz Hamzaogullari. The portfolio is composed of 30 to 35 positions on US growth large caps.
P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; } “In order to protect the interests of existing shareholders,” First State Investments has announced plans to restrict access by new subscribers to its First State Global Emerging Market Leaders funds. The decision is related to significant inflows to the funds, which is managed by Jonathan Asante, head of global emerging markets, and Glen Finegan, portfolio manager.From 7 September 2013, First State will charge a front-end fee of 4% on the fund of the British range, while the fund in the Irish range will cease to accept new subscriptions. Regular savings investors who maintain their subscriptions to one fund or the other will not be affected by the measures. First State is planning to credit the funds concerned with the front-end fees announced.
P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; } According to the most recent Pridham report, inflows from retail investors in the United Kingdom were disappointing in first quarter 2013, although some asset management firms did better than well, Money Marketing reports. Statistics from the British Investment Management Association also indicate that retail net inflows in first quarter totalled GBP2.7bn, their lowest level in 5 years. The economic environment and austerity measures probably did not favour investment, and RDR regulations manifestly contributed to a downturn in inflows, the Pridham report estimates, citing low levels of investment into ISA accounts. However, Standard Life Investments has topped the rankings for retail inflows in first quarter with GBP917.3m, followed by BNY Mellon (GBP658m), Cazenove (GBP498.1m) and BlackRock (GBP352.2m).
P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; } Natixis Global Asset Management (NGAM) has launched a US equity fund on the British market, the Loomis Sayles US Leaders Fund, with an initial contribution of USD5bn from Aberdeen, Investment Week reports.The fund, managed by Aziz Hamzaogullari, was launched in early April with a contribution of USD5bn from Natixis.The new fund, the second onshore product offered by NGAM, is a conviction-based strategy based on a concentrated portfolio of 30 to 35 positions, largely growth large caps.
P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; } New rules from the European Securities Markets Association (ESMA) which will come into force in 2014 have claimed their first victim, Financial Times Fund Management reports. Cantab Capital Partners will be closing the CCP Quantitative UCITS fund, a CTA founded in 2012 to replicate its flagship fund based in the Cayman Islands. Like all UCITS vehicles, it cannot invest in commodity futures, FTfm explains. But like most UCITS CTAs, it has avoided the problem with a total return swap based on the fund it replicates, which is itself allowed to trade in commodity futures. The fund may now continue, so long as its methodology and the constituent parts of the index tracked are published. In addition, the index may not be rebalanced more than one time per month. But most players in the sector think they can adjust to the new ESMA rules, FTfm reports.
P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; } Funds People reports that due to the absorption of the Banif Fondepósito, Fondo Depósitos and Banesto Fondepósitos funds, the Santander Fondepósito Clase C fund, formerly known as Santander Depósitos Plus, as of the end of April had assets of EUR1.25bn. The Foncaixa GarantíaRenta Fija 25,has EUR1.001bn. The billionaire club of funds in Spain now has ten members, with the largest the Foncaixa Estabilidad fund with EUR2.3bn, and the second-largest the Santander Banif Inmobiliario with EUR2.13bn. Three years ago, there were 20 funds in the billionaires’ club.
P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; } Achim Küssner, CEO of Germany-based Schroder Investment Management GmbH, has announced that the British firm has now received a sales license for Germany and Austria for the Euro High Yield fund (ISN codes: LU0849399786, A capitalisation share class, LU0849400543, A distribution share class), a sub-fund of its Schroder International Selection Fund (Schroder ISF) Luxembourg Sicav, which was launched on 14 November. Front-end fees are limited to 3%.The fund is already licensed for sale in Luxembourg, the United Kingdom, Spain and France (see Newsmanagers of 30 January).
P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; } Barely 41% of German equity funds have managed to beat their benchmark index, the DAX 30 TR, over a 5-year period, according to a study by e-fundresearch. The study takes into account German equity funds on sale as of 10 May 2013 in at least one of the three European German-speaking countries, Germany, Austria and Switzerland, and which have a track record of at least 5 years. The best 5 German equity funds are the following: ISIN Name of fund LU0247468282 DB Platinum III Platow R1CLU0158903558 ACATIS CHAMPS SEL - ACATIS AKTIEN DEUTSCHLAND ELMLU0068841302 GS&P Fonds Deutschland aktiv GAT0000A07SN5 Aktienfonds Deutschland Spezial R VADE0009752303 Pioneer Investments German Equity A ND In Switzerland, only 17% of funds have managed to beat their benchmark, the Swiss Market Index (SMI), over a 5-year period. The best fund is the DM Swiss Equities Assymetric Fonds, which beat out the UBS MSF Equities Switzerland and the Mirabaud Fund Swiss Equities.
P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; } Investeam and Accola will launch a second contractual bond FCP fund of midcaps with a 2019 horizon, Newsmanagers has learned. The fund, entitled Micado France 2019, will be managed by Palatine Asset Management, and will invest in bonds issued by French midcap companies which are publicly traded but not rated. Investments will go into the treasuries of selected midcap companies, to finance regional growth projects. The net TRI for investors is expected to range from 4.2% to 4.7%. The product has the same investment strategy as the first fund, Micado France 2018, with a slight variation: it may invest up to 10% in non-listed businesses, in order to seek out additional returns. Given that the fund targets 20 issuers, two issuers may therefore be included. Investeam and Accola are seeking to raise a maximum of EUR100m, while the interests of French institutional investors already total EUR86m. The first product, managed by Portzamparc Gestion, brought in more than EUR60m. Micado France 2019 will be launched in early July, and will be on sale until late September or early October.
P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; } Index Universe reports that WisdomTree has applied for a license for an ETF fund aiming for annual returns of 6% on the basis of equally-weighted investments in the SPDR S&P 500 ETF fund (NYSE Arca ticker: SPY), iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO), which all have total returns of 1.95% to 2.10%. These funds constitute the S&P 500 Managed Distribution index.Between quarterly weighting adjustments, the new product may move away from equal weighting, and take positions directly on equities included in the portfolios of ETFs, or increase its stake on individual ETFs. The management team will also be authorised to invest in derivative instruments.So far, WisdomTree has not released a ticker or TER for the fund.
P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; } With the PowerShares Fundamental Emerging Markets Local Debt Portfolio (acronym: PFEM), Invesco PowerShares Capital Management on 9 May launched an ETF based on emerging market sovereign debt denominated in local currencies, with fees of 0.50%. The product, with monthly distribution, replicates the Citi RAFI Bonds Sovereign Emerging Markets Extended Local Currency Index, which is composed of issued from 18 emerging market governments rated at least CC by S&P, and Ca by Moody’s.As of 30 April, the index was composed of bonds issued by Brazil, Chile, China (offshore), Colombia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, the Philippines, Poland, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Thailand and Turkey.
P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; } Ohio National Financial Services and Jefferson National have become the first two insurers to use the new Fidelity VIP Target Volatility Portfolio launched by Fidelity Investments, which is intended to be integrated exclusively into variable annuities and variable life insurance products. The objective is to limit volatility to 10% over a rolling one-year period.The portfolio will be invested primarily in US equities, international equities from developed countries, US investment-grade bonds, and cash, via mutual funds from Fidelity as well as ETFs and index futures, but the management team, led by Wuehai En, with the assistance of Bob Vick (co-manager), may also invest in other asset classes, such as high yield debt and emerging market equities and bonds.The VIP Target Volatility Portfolio is benchmarked against a composite index as a guide for its asset allocation, with 42% being the Dow Jones US Stock Market Index, 18% MSCI EAFE, 35% Barclays US Aggregate Bond Index, and 5% Barclays US 3 Months Treasury Bellwether Index.
P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; } The realty firm Duke Realty, listed on the New York stock exchange, has bought the logistical complex at 311-315 Half Acre Road in Cranbury, New Jersey, from the German firm Deka Immobilien GmbH. The 88,000 square-metre property had been part of the portfolio of the dedicated fund Deka-S-PropertyFund No.1.The sale price has not been disclosed, but Deka Immobilien states that it took advantage of strong demand for large size logistical properties to sell the property with a capital gain.
P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; } The Börsen-Zeitung reports that before a Stuttgart court, 25 hedge funds, including Viking Global Equities, Glenhill Capital and Greenlight Capital, are seeking damages and interest from Porsche Automobile Holding SE of EUR1.36bn. They claim that they were not adequately infomed by Porsche during its takeover battle at Volkswagen (a takeover which ultimately failed).The Stuttgart prosecutor’s office has also filed suit against the former chief financial officer and former chairman of the managing board at Porsche, Holger Härter and Wendelin Wiedeking, for market manipulation.
P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; } As of 31 March, the 3,913 Spezialfonds, or German institutional funds, had assets of EUR1.01131trn, compared with EUR981.66bn as of the end of December, the BVI association of management firms reports. For their part, the 7,466 open-ended funds had assets under management of EUR687.52bn three months previously.Spezialfonds posted net inflows of EUR22.97bn, compared with EUR13.98bn for open-ended funds, and EUR1.98bn for mandates excluding funds.
P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; } According to statistics from the German BVI association of asset management firms, open-ended securities funds in first quarter attracted net inflows of EUR12.161bn.This time, the top of the class is no longer Allianz, with its EUR1.9289bn, but rather the Deutsche Bank galaxy, with EUR2.8743bn. Union takes third place, with net subscriptions of EUR1.7219bn. Deka has limited its net redemptions fo EUR414.7m for the first three months of the year.On the ETF front, the winner is db x-trackers, with net inflows of EUR890.3m, followed by iShares and BlackRock with EUR187.8m, and products from ETFlab (not consolidated with Deka) with EUR165.8m. However, ComStage (Commerzbank) suffered net outflows in first quarter of EUR116.8m.
P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; }State Street Global Advisors (SSgA) has signed a new partnership with the SEI Master TrustSEI is now using SSgA’s index fund components to help power its investment offering within the SEI Master Trust. The SEI Master Trust is a fully bundled multi-employer occupational pension scheme, which can be used to meet auto-enrolment requirements and to buy-out DC benefits. SEI will be utilising a number of SSgA DC funds to help participating employees design appropriate and competitively priced default funds.
P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; } BNY Mellon Asset Servicing was up to now the provider of UK’s River and Mercantile Asset Management LLP (R&M) with global custody, trust, depositary banking, transfer agency and forex market operator services. The US group has now been retained on 13 May by R&M as provider a back and middle office services on assets totalling USD3.1bn. This includes nine OEIC type open-ended funds and all closed-end funds from R&M.BNY Mellon will also provide data management services concerning all assets at R&M for which technologies from Eagle Investment Systems, an affiliate of BNY Mellon, are used. The data are consolidated, checked and enriched by BNY Mellon before being delivered to R&M.
Baring Asset Management on May 13 announced the appointment of Marco Tang to the newly-created senior role of head of sales, client service and business development for mutual fund distribution, across Hong Kong, China and Singapore. He will be based in Hong Kong and report to Gerry Ng, chief executive officer, Asia ex Japan.Marco Tang joins Barings from JP Morgan Asset Management where he was executive director and head of intermediary business. Prior to this, he held various sales roles at Allianz Global Investors, HSBC Asset Management and Jardine Fleming Unit Trusts.
P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; } The Pennsylvania State Employees’ Retirement System (PASERs) has retained the Scottish firm Martin Currie Investment Management Ltd to manage USD250m, corresponding to a new global emerging markets (GEM) strategy for the pension fund. The mandate is managed by Kim Catechis, head of GEM, and the investment directors are Andrew Ness and Jeff Casson, whose team has assets of GBP487m, or USD739m.
P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; } Tolga Uzner, former international head of equities and corporate bonds at the chief investment office at JP Morgan, sadly known because of the “Whale of London,” left the bank last month, Financial News reports. He is preparing to launch a credit hedge fund, according to a source familiar with the matter. He has founded Brocade Capital Management, where he is CIO.
Idinvest Partners, leader européen du financement des entreprises non cotées, annonce le closing intermédiaire à 205 millions d’euros de son nouveau véhicule d’investissement exclusivement dédié à la dette senior. Le fonds, appelé « Idinvest Dette Senior » vise à dépasser millions d’euros pour un closing final prévu d’ici fin juin. Les premiers souscripteurs sont principalement des grandes compagnies d’assurances.
Pas de doute pour Philippe Chalmin, le directeur de CyclOpe, rapport de référence sur les matières premières dont la nouvelle édition est publiée aujourd’hui en partenariat avec le quotidien, les marchés mondiaux connaissent actuellement un «choc» comme on en voit «tous les 20 à 25 ans». «Nous avons vécu dans l’illusion que la crise était passée», assène Philippe Chalmin cité par le quotidien.
La Banque Populaire de Chine (PBOC) ne peut pas baisser ses taux d’intérêt pour relancer l’activité du fait de l’abondance de la liquidité dans le système financier, explique au China Securities Journal Zhu Baoliang, responsable du département du Centre d’information et de prévision économique de l’Etat chinois. Seule la politique fiscale peut ainsi, selon lui, être utilisée comme levier d’ajustement.
Après la gestion alternative, le fonds d’incubation a lancé un appel à candidatures pour son futur compartiment actions. La structure devra coupler stratégie innovante et ambition internationale. L’objectif est de collecter entre 150 et 300 millions d’euros auprès d’institutionnels.