The new alternative investment unit of the National Australia Bank, Antares, has launched its first product, a trust developed with London boutique manager Lodestar.

The Antares Lodestar Absolute Return Trust-Australian Shares aims to deliver superior returns in both rising and falling equity markets over the medium to long term, and outperform the Trust Benchmark throughout an investment cycle with lower volatility than the equity market.

The trust will predominantly target equities listed on the Australian Stock Exchange, although there will also be some cash investments.

The fund will be listed on the MLC Materkey Custom platform used by financial advisors linked to the NAB and its subsidiaries.