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First State’s Gems ready to sparkle
First State has re-branded part of its global emerging markets team and launched a bond fund. With new funds planned, it has soft closed products to protect performance. By Tomas Hirst.
Specialist in the bond-building arts
JPMAM takes its responsibilities to investors and advisers equally seriously, developing a strong fixed income capability but also devoting resources to its academy. Neal Underwood reports.
Seasoned team flex specialist skills
The well-established team at Rathbones have a record of solid long-term performance and are well prepared for the traps of excess volatility in the post-RDR regime, writes Cherry Reynard.
Change tack but keep the standard
Standard Life Investments adapted to markets without abandoning the parent name by offering products that it expects to have broad appeal after regulatory change. Shaun Cumming reports.
Multi-asset house set to clean up
Premier Asset Management has many years of experience as a multi-asset company, so it is well prepared for renewed interest in its funds as a result of RDR, writes Shaun Cumming.
Player limbers up to stay ‘relevant’
M&G’s focus on fixed income and multi-asset products kept it in the game, but as competition hots up, it aims to ’come off the subs bench’ in other ’relevant’ areas, writes Shaun Cumming.
Hungry years are behind lone wolf
Architas’s clear direction as a multi-manager specialist means it is not just performing well but ’having fun’, according to Hans Georgeson, the managing director. Shaun Cumming reports.
Good timing restores faith in group
The rebranding of a life assurance group’s retail business has proved an astute move thus far, as clients embrace a specialised focus and a former manager returns, writes Shaun Cumming.
Eastern grit nurtures Renaissance
Ram suffered from volatile equity markets, but its rebirth arises from strengthening markets in eastern Europe – as well as diversification into South Africa, writes Shaun Cumming.
Niche pioneer still mines new seams
Last month Baring Asset Management launched the latest of its niche funds – a mining portfolio. Will this be eclipsed in a “me too” rush as some Barings funds have been? By Shaun Cumming.
A team with rare expertise emerges
Ashmore has a 20-year record as an emerging markets specialist in the institutional market and a range of products that it has started to open up to retail investors. By Shaun Cumming.
Will returns back up ‘special’ claim?
Henderson has been applauded for its handling of the restructuring after the takeover of two firms. When its fund range is settled, all eyes will be on performance, writes Shaun Cumming.
Broad-minded path to ethical profit
In the world of funds, ethical does not mean narrow, says Sue Round, the head of investments at Ecclesiastical, whose funds attract attention with top-quartile performance. By Tomas Hirst.
New shoes for trust’s entrepreneurs
ATI, Alliance Trust’s “sexy and exciting” range of Oeics launched in the wake of the financial crisis, is gaining strength despite its modest initial performance, writes Shaun Cumming.
Global giant bestrides ‘sweet spot’
BNY Mellon sees the retail distribution review as another challenge to prove its might, bolstered by its range of asset management groups and high-profile names, writes Shaun Cumming.
Safe-house plan is solid as a rock
BlackRock chiselled away at its range and most of the investment managers’ funds have delivered a solid performance. The next challenge is to adapt to the new rules, writes Shaun Cumming.
Trust house has a lot to shout about
When the rules of the retail distribution review become clearer, Baillie Gifford expects to find new opportunities on retail platforms for its closed-ended funds, writes Shaun Cumming.
Uncharted territory holds no fears
Schroders claims to be the first group to have its clean-fee, ’Z’ fund class up and running in preparation for the implementing of the retail distribution review, writes Shaun Cumming.
Jet-set team on the hunt for income
Somerset Capital Management was launched in 2007 to focus on dividend-paying companies in the emerging world, where high rewards come with risks attached. Shaun Cumming reports.
Prudent giant straddles the globe
Franklin Templeton has a solid provenance and a group ethos that persists to this day, including an active approach to expansion and a commitment to choice and prudence, writes James Smith.
