What's New In Investments, Funds? - Blackrock, VIA AM, Others

Robbie Lawther

2 February 2018

BlackRock
Global asset management firm BlackRock has launched the BSF High Yield Fixed Maturity Bond Fund.

The fund is a fixed-term and high -yield bond strategy with an expected five-year maturity. It is registered for sale in Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Denmark, Spain, France, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Finland, Sweden, UK and distributed in Latin America.

It aims to deliver regular income while providing improved downside protection and mitigated volatility versus the broad US high yield market. It will invest in US dollar denominated high yield corporate bonds, with maturities predominately around five years and has the flexibility to invest across sectors and geographies.

The BSF High Yield Fixed Maturity Bond Fund opened for subscriptions on 8 January and will remain open for around three months. The fund will subsequently be closed to new investors but offers daily liquidity to existing ones, subject to swing pricing.

The fund will be managed by Mitchell Garfin, senior US high yield portfolio manager.

VIA AM, Societe Generale
VIA AM, an asset management company, has launched two "smart" income equity funds, in partnership with Société Générale.

The two funds, Solys VIA Smart Income Europe and Solys VIA Smart Income World, aim to generate net returns of 4-5 per cent per year, more than 20-25 per cent above their benchmarks.

The Solys VIA Smart Income Europe sub-fund is invested in around 100 European companies, spread over the region’s main sectors and markets. Solys VIA Smart Income World is exposed to almost 160 companies worldwide, including emerging markets.

Mirabaud Asset Management
Mirabaud Asset Management has launched a new Global Diversified Credit Fund. It is domiciled in Luxembourg, and was launched on 31 January.

The fund focuses on providing risk-adjusted returns across all market environments from a diversified portfolio of global credit opportunities.

It invests in the full range of credit opportunities across the rating spectrum, including investment grade, high yield, emerging market debt, asset backed securities, secured loans and convertibles. The fund will also look into environmental, social and governance factors as part of the portfolio construction process.

The new Global Diversified Credit Fund is managed by Andrew Lake, head of fixed income, and Fatima Luis, senior fixed income portfolio manager.

Aberdeen Standard Investments
Aberdeen Standard Investments, the global investment manager, has launched the UK Equity Impact – Employment Opportunities Fund, in collaboration with Big Issue Invest, the social investment arm of The Big Issue.

The fund will be managed by Lesley Duncan, investment director at Aberdeen Standard Investments.

The aim of the fund is to generate a financial return over the long term by investing in companies which promote and implement good employment opportunities and practices. Generally companies will have more than 50 per cent of their employees in the UK.

The impact criteria will typically include companies paying above average wage rates, being located in deprived areas, offering training opportunities and/or employing young people with the majority of those being in the UK.