Photo: Yuichi Alex Takayama. Nikko Asset Management Appoints Yuichi Alex Takayama as Global Head of Sales
Nikko Asset Management has appointed Yuichi Alex Takayama as Global Head of Sales (International Business), the Tokyo-headquartered asset manager announced today. Concurrently serving as Head of International Business Development and Sales Planning Division, he will collaborate closely with overseas unit heads and senior sales managers in formulating the company’s international sales strategies.
He has more than 20 years of asset management experience, spanning Tokyo, New York and London, mainly as a portfolio manager and senior analyst for Chuo Mitsui Trust & Banking (now Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings, Inc.) and Mizuho Trust & Banking Co., Ltd. His most recent postings were as Chief Executive Officer of the European unit of Tokio Marine and Asset Management Co., Ltd., and Head of International Sales.
“We are delighted to welcome Yuichi to our team. His expertise in major global markets and track record in international sales and leadership will help us build our position as Asia’s premier global asset manager,” Hideo Abe, Director and Executive Vice Chairman of Nikko Asset Management said.
Photo: NathanLanier, Flickr, Creative Commons. Old Mutual Confirms that It Has Received Approaches from Third Parties to Acquire its Stake in OMAM
The London-based financial services firm Old Mutual said on Tuesday that it was approached by several potential buyers interested in its controlling stake in its Boston-based business OM Asset Management.
Following a report from the Financial Times on speculation that the Old Mutual board has endorsed a deal to sell its 66% stake in the US business to Affiliated Managers Group, Old Mutual said it has continued to assess its options but had not finalized any agreement.
“In response to media speculation, Old Mutual can confirm that it is continuing to assess the options available to it with regard to the preferred route to effect the managed separation announced on 11 March 2016. We will update the market as and when appropriate. As a consequence of the decision to proceed with the managed separation of Old Mutual, we expect to receive interest in our assets periodically. With regard to OM Asset Management plc, Old Mutual confirms that it has received approaches from third parties to acquire its stake in OMAM. There can be no certainty that these approaches will lead to any transaction or any certainty as to the terms on which any such transaction might proceed. Further statements will be made if and when appropriate”, said in a news release on Tuesday.
The company, which is listed in London and Johannesburg, said in March that it would split into four main businesses (Old Mutual Wealth, Old Mutual Emerging Markets, Nedbank and OM Asset Management) by the end of 2018.
CC-BY-SA-2.0, FlickrPhoto: Photo Philde. Amundi And Oddo & Cie Reach An Agreement On The Acquisition Of Kleinwort Benson Investors
Amundi, Oddo & Cie and Kleinwort Benson Investors (KBI) today announced that they have signed a definitive agreement whereby Amundi is to acquire an 87.5% stake in KBI from Oddo & Cie, while the management team of KBI will acquire a 12.5% stake.
KBI, a subsidiary of BHF Kleinwort Benson Group which was recently acquired by the Oddo group, is a fast-growing equity management firm, headquartered in Dublin, Ireland with offices in Boston and New York and employing 62 people. Its highly experienced investment team manages 7.6 billion euros of assets as of 31 March 2016, mainly across global equity capabilities. KBI has delivered an excellent performance track record over the years, and enjoyed dynamic growth of its assets under management over the past few years (CAGR 2011-15: +28%).
KBI’s clients are well diversified between institutional, subadvisory and third party distributors. The firm has developed successfully in North America which represents 52% of assets under management by client domicile, while Ireland and UK account together for 26%, Continental Europe 14% and Asia 8%.
In 2015 KBI posted net revenues of 31 million euros and a net income of 9 million euros.
Amundi and KBI are highly complementary in terms of product and geographic focus. KBI’s global equities expertise will strongly augment Amundi’s equity franchise. Likewise, KBI will leverage Amundi’s strong Retail and institutional presence in Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
The transaction benefits from the full support of KBI’s management team, who will hold a material stake in the company. Going forward KBI will retain its distribution, operating and portfolio management autonomy. Sean Hawkshaw will continue as Chief Executive Officer and Noel O’Halloran as Chief Investment Officer. All employees are expected to remain with the firm.
The transaction is fully in line with Amundi’s financial criteria for acquisitions: the deal will be immediately accretive to Amundi’s EPS and will comply with the target of an expected return on investment superior to 10% within three years.
In parallel with this transaction, Amundi and Oddo & Cie will strengthen their cooperation, namely via the cross selling of their investment expertise.
CC-BY-SA-2.0, FlickrPhoto: Chris Saulit. Euroclear And Lyxor Asset Management Collaborate To Bring Greater Transparency To Fixed Income Liquidity
Euroclear and Lyxor Asset Management are cooperating in the launch of “e-Data Liquidity,” an innovative tool enabling fixed income market participants a method of accessing the true intrinsic liquidity of an asset, therefore providing the full liquidity profile.
Against the backdrop of increasing regulatory requirements, accurately monitoring the liquidity of an asset plays a key role in helping investors adequately price assets and allocate their funds. Measuring liquidity can prove particularly challenging for fixed income securities, which mainly operate over-the-counter and offer less transparency by nature than other markets.
Stephan Pouyat, Global Head of Funds and Capital Markets at Euroclear said: “The current market climate is prompting investment managers, treasurers, risk managers, insurers, collateral takers, central counterparties and other buy-side institutions to better manage their asset portfolios and strengthen their balance sheets, including liquidity buffers. e-Data is a modular tool and the liquidity module provides key indicators founded on our neutral settlement data and presented in its simplest form, relying on the infrastructure stamp of Euroclear. This first module, designed in close collaboration with Lyxor, focuses on supporting the management of fixed income and more specifically high quality liquid assets.”
Jean Sayegh, Co-Head of Sovereign Bonds Investments, Lyxor Asset Management added: “Lyxor has always helped its clients understand and adjust to a rapidly changing environment. By teaming up with Euroclear we are participating in the current regulatory drive for market transparency and providing fixed income investors with an innovative tool helping them better manage their portfolios. This partnership confirms our expertise as an innovative and growing fixed income asset manager. By leveraging on the depth of Euroclear data, Lyxor creates value for its clients”.
CC-BY-SA-2.0, FlickrMeraville Retail Park. TH Real Estate’s European Cities Fund Completes First Acquisition
TH Real Estate has acquired Meraville Retail Park in Bologna, Italy, on behalf of its European Cities Fund for a net initial yield of circa 5.96%. This is the first acquisition for the Fund, which was launched on 1 March 2016 as a pan-European open-ended real estate investment vehicle with €200m of equity.
Totalling 35,975 sq m (387,232 sq ft), Meraville Retail Park has been open since 2003 and boasts very strong sales performance, making it one of the top-two performing retail parks in Italy. Featuring a diverse mix of top retail tenants including COOP, Mediaworld, Leroy Merlin and top fashion retailers such as OVS, Pittarello, Alcott and Piazza Italia, the retail park has an occupancy rate of 99.7%.
Liz Sworn, Fund Manager, Europe, TH Real Estate, comments: “Measured against other European cities, Bologna continues to outperform in areas such as employment, growth and GDP per capita. In addition, retail sales growth in the city is predicted to average 1.4% per annum in the next five years, outperforming the Italian average. We strongly believe in the investment fundamentals of Bologna and feel that Meraville Retail Park will prove to be a strong asset for the Fund.”
Located in Bologna, the capital of Emilia Romagna and Italy’s second wealthiest city, Meraville Retail Park benefits from a 30-minute drive time catchment of nearly 800,000 people. In a rating of 1,200 European regions by TH Real Estate’s research team on factors such as employment growth, employment structure, unemployment, population growth and GDP per capita, Bologna rated in the top 12%.
Mario Pellò, Head of Investment, Italy, TH Real Estate, adds: “With its high occupancy rate, strong sales performance and location in Italy’s second wealthiest city, Meraville Retail Park perfectly meets our investment requirements for the European Cities Fund. We believe that the retail warehouse market will be a sector where we will continue to see yield advantage and that Meraville specifically presents strong asset management opportunities.”
The retail park adds to TH Real Estate’s strong presence across Italy, where its current portfolio of 11 assets totals c.€1.3bn AUM.
CC-BY-SA-2.0, FlickrPhoto: JimmyReu, Flickr, Creative Commons. Gesconsult's Most Emblematic Strategies Make the Jump to the International Stage
Gesconsult has announced the launch of two of its star funds: Gesconsult Renta Fija Flexible and Gesconsult Renta Variable, in the Luxembourg market. This venture is a significant step towards the internationalization of the independent Spanish Asset Management firm specializing in flexible active management in both Spain and Europe.
In this way, Gesconsult aims to continue its growth outside of its home territory. With the approval of the Luxemburg regulators, as of now, these investment strategies are already available for sale not only to national clients but also to international clients.
Juan Lladó, president of Gesconsult, emphasizes that,“we are very proud to announce the leap into Luxembourg and in this way, take our business beyond our borders. Starting now, our strategies are available not only to any investor who does business in Spain, but also to international clients, who had shown interest in investing in our strategies of flexible active management in Spain and Europe. Luxembourg is the most efficient point of entry for many international investors so that they can gain access to local specialized asset management firms”.
The asset management firm has established a master-feeder structure (that is to say, principal-subordinate) in which the core funds will be Spanish and the subordinate ones will be Luxembourgish. The subordinate funds will have a specific classto invest in core funds. This structure makes it possible to maintain the historic excellence of the funds’ profitability and to benefit the participants from the very first moment they join this fund, which already has asset under management.
Gensconsult has decided to launch these vehicles in response to the international investor’s appetite and has plans to continue launching more of its investment strategies on an international level.
“We are convinced that an important part of our growth will come from international business, now that investors are starting to look towards Spain and Europe and there are hardly any active fund management firms that are as specialized as ours. We have a lot to contribute to the investor by boosting our presence in the International asset management industry,” concludes Juan Lladó.
Gesconsult flexible active management strategies beat their rates
The most emblematic Spanish equities fund of the fund management firm is the Gesconsult Renta Variable which has beaten the Ibex 35 in the last few years. Managed by the managing director of Gesconsult, Alfonso de Gregorio, it invests at least 75% of the funds’ asset in Spanish stock exchanges, independently of its capitalization and it can invest up to 10% in foreign companies of OECD. They avoid exposure in emerging markets and see opportunities in the medium and small caps sector.The investment has a long-term vision. It has the highest Morningstar 5-star rating and a qualitative bronze rating.
On the other hand, Gesconsult Renta Fija Flexible fund, managed by the deputymanaging director of Gesconsult, David Ardura, is a mixed fixed-income fund which reflects the company’s philosophy of flexible active management, which controls risks in volatile market scenarios. One can invest a maximum of 30% in equities, mainly in the Euro Area, which can be adapted to better market conditions. Its portfolio focuses on Spanish assets and European ones when the environment requires it. Its exposure to equity depends on the economic prospects of the market of the team, and can be completely divested whenever the market circumstances demand it. Management is focused on the medium term.
CC-BY-SA-2.0, FlickrPhoto: Pictures of Money. Don't Fight Today's Markets With Tomorrow's Money
Given the strength of the dollar — though it has weakened some of late — multinational companies have seen their earnings per share pressured. If you compare the EPS growth rate of US-focused companies with that of their multinationally focused counterparts, there is a very wide gap, points out MFS.
According to the firm, US-focused firms are dramatically outperforming their foreign-focused peers. Revenues, profits and margins are still growing, which is something skeptics would not expect in the seventh year of an economic expansion.
“And perhaps even more important than expanding profit margins are expanding free cash flow margins”, explains in its latest analysis.
“The free cash flow generation of large cap companies, if you strip out energy, materials and industrials, is running near all-time highs. For that reason our outlook for US equities remains strong compared to Japan, where Abenomics does not appear to be working well, and Europe, where labor costs remain persistently high and return on equity is subpar”, write the experts of the firm.
The United States has consistently generated post-dividend free cash flow margins that have exceeded every other region of the world. The composition of the US market — with its emphasis on technology companies and companies that use technology to increase efficiency, its rapid asset turnover and low capital intensity ratio and its use of capital outside the US’s borders as large cap companies globalize — lends itself to robust cash flows that should reward equity investors in 2016, said MFS´ experts.
MFS highlights that in an environment where it exists the possibility of somewhat looser global financial conditions for the foreseeable future, the asset manager is generally more constructive toward higher-risk assets. Equities and high yield debt should be a focus for investors looking to re-risk portfolios, and strong fundamental, bottom-up analysis is critical to that re-risking process.
“Free cash flow generation, which is not a Fed-driven phenomenon, remains the key, and we see that most clearly in US markets”, concludes MFS.
CC-BY-SA-2.0, FlickrNish Popat, co-lead Portfolio Manager, Emerging Markets Corporate Debt team, Neuberger Berman.. "In EM Corporate Debt, We Continue to See Opportunities across Various Sectors Especially in LatAm"
Nish Popat, co-lead Portfolio Manager, Emerging Markets Corporate Debt team, at Neuberger Berman, explains in this interview with Funds Society why is a good moment to invest in emerging debt and why he is looking at opportunities in corporate debt in Latin America, as well as in Government debt in countries like like Azerbaijan, Ecuador, Hungary, Ivory Coast and Indonesia. In currencies, they currently have a long bias with overweight positions in the Indian rupee, Turkish lira and some Latin-American currencies, such as the Mexican, Chilean and Colombian peso.
Emerging markets have been almost reviled by investors in recent years. Is this situation changing, especially in the debt market?
Many investors have, over the past couple of years, been under-allocating their exposure to EM funds as several concerns about China/Brazil/ global slowdown/ commodities and oil & gas and the FED raising rates have all contributed to concerns about Emerging Markets, especially currencies. Over the past two months, as many of these factors have stabilised, we have begun to see strong inflows into Emerging Market Debt, mostly in hard currency but also positive flows in local currency.
What kind of investor is beginning to reinvest in emerging markets?
In the past few years most of the outflows from the asset class seemed to be coming from retail investors. This year, however, we are seeing inflows into EMD from both institutional and retail investors.
Are we currently seeing a good entry point at present?
Pressures on EMD fundamentals are starting to ease amidst a stabilisation in commodity prices and supportive monetary policies globally, while the sharp EM FX depreciation has resulted in current account adjustments in several EM countries. Sufficient FX reserves and low external debt levels continue to support Sovereign structural fundamentals, while elevated spread levels are now more than adequate to compensate for cyclical risks. Finally we see supportive technical at present as well, as investor demand is returning from generally underweight positions, while supply of new issues is relatively light. We believe that overall these factors justify an allocation to the asset class and we have increased risk across our blended EMD portfolios this year as we believe that those positive developments counterbalance the fundamental challenges that some EM countries are still facing.
How will EMD be affected by any Fed rate hikes? What do you expect from Janet Yellen?
The market was certainly impacted when the initial fears of a Fed hike emerged in 2013. Since then, we have seen how cautious the Fed has been in managing the markets fears to the speed and extent of that rise, that when it occurred the market virtually discounted the whole event and so it had virtually no impact on the EM asset class. We continue to believe that the Fed will be very cautious in their approach and at present see the impact on the EMD asset class as having been already priced in.
Is this a reason to favour short durations? What are the advantages of shorter duration in the portfolio?
The main advantage of a short duration approach is the more conservative risk profile with lower volatility and drawdowns, coupled with protection in case interest rates surge at some point. While we believe that this approach can be attractive for investors who are looking for a more conservative, absolute return approach to EMD, we acknowledge that such a strategy typically doesn’t fully capture the upside that the longer duration strategy offers in a rallying market.
Are you now taking increased credit risk or it is not necessary?
We have, over the past few weeks increased our overall risk appetite in the EM universe as we continue to believe that many investors remain under-weight and the stability of the various concerns suggests that the premiums offered by EM issuers were too high in light of the falling risk. We continue to be positive and expect the momentum to continue as the message from developed market central banks remains supportive to risk assets.
Is it possible to find quality investments (IG) in public and corporate debt in EM with good profitability?
Many IG companies in the EM world have continued to make profits, however these are lower than they were in the past as the slowdown in their economies or sectors has an overall impact on their bottom line. We have seen many companies actively manage the situation and expect that while profitability will be lower than 2015, many companies are dealing with the changing global environment better than many investors had anticipated.
What countries (government bonds) and sectors and enterprises (private debt) do you favour?
In EM corporate debt, we continue to see opportunities across various sectors especially in LatAm where many issuers suffered dramatically in 2015 as valuations reached levels which we believe were excessive even though many corporates are going through a difficult period at present. Going forward, we continue to believe that demand for yield will be key in investors’ minds as the Fed and the ECB continue to provide dovish comments and we believe that the momentum for EM corporates remains strong.
In sovereign (government) debt we like Azerbaijan and Ecuador which we think sold off excessively on the oil price move, and we like countries that have been and continue to be on an improving credit quality path which we currently see in Hungary, Ivory Coast and Indonesia.
Is now a good time to take on currency risk or not?
We have become more constructive on EM FX exposure based on improving export growth and current accounts, while valuations and technicals are supportive as well. We currently have a long bias with overweight positions in the Indian rupee, Turkish lira and some Latin-American currencies, such as the Mexican, Chilean and Colombian peso.
Volatility has been strong in recent months, also due to the Chinese theme and commodities. Will this persist? Does that present a need for caution or a chance to seize the opportunity?
The “fear” factor at the end of 2015/ beginning of 2016 has certainly been one of the key reasons why many investors were nervous about investing in the EM asset class over the past year, combined with the increase in volatility as many countries were being downgraded and the China slowdown was certainly a major factor. Over the last 3 months, we have seen how this fear has, for now, diminished dramatically and returns in the asset class have been very strong. Certainly in the short term we see the positive momentum continuing, however the EM world is made up of many countries and companies and accordingly, while there may be issues in one region, the diversity of the asset class enables another part of the world to benefit and accordingly we have seen how resilient the asset class has been over the past years in light of the various issues that have arisen. It is important that investors look at EM on a longer term horizon and while in the short term there may be some headline risks, if we look at the asset class over the past 10 years, we have seen it return a very solid positive annualised return.
CC-BY-SA-2.0, FlickrPhoto: Dennis Jarvis. Are Dividends from Emerging Markets Worth The Risk?
The latest Henderson Global Dividend Index (HGDI) report – a long-term study into global dividend trends based in US dollars– shows how dividends from Emerging Markets (EM) have declined in headline terms* during the last two years, in stark contrast to their significant growth between 2009 and 2013. The trend supports the view that taking a global approach to equity income, with the flexibility to access growth opportunities and seek out attractive yields, is important to help reduce an investor’s reliance on any one region or sector.
*Headline dividends reflect the total sum of payouts received within the HGDI in US dollar terms. Underlying dividends are adjusted for special dividends, changes in currencies, timing effects and index changes.
Dividends from the EM more than doubled in headline terms between 2009 and 2013 (+114.4%), which compares favourably to the 45.1% rise in dividends globally. Since the start of 2014, however, payouts from companies listed in the EM have fallen at a headline level by 17.9%, while global dividends have risen by 8.8%.
A heavy weighting of commodity companies, which have suffered from weak demand leading to many implementing dividend cuts, along with falling emerging market currencies are mainly responsible for the EM dividend decline since 2014. China is the largest EM dividend payer, making up more than a quarter of the HGDI EM total (27%), as shown in the chart below.
Dividends from Chinese companies have almost tripled since 2009 at a headline level, far outperforming the EM and global average. But growth stalled in mid-2014 and since then Chinese dividends have fallen in headline terms for the first time since the HGDI was introduced in 2009. A limited number of commodity companies, however, and a managed currency mean Chinese dividends have declined less than those from other EM countries.
Over the long term, exchange rate effects broadly even out but the impact in 2015 was exceptional and reflected the US dollar’s strength. Last year headline dividends from EM declined by 8.3% but underlying growth was strong at 12.7% (year-on-year). Exchange rate effects accounted for 18% of the difference, with the impact greatest in Russia and Brazil, while the remaining 3% was down to special dividends and index changes.
Henderson Global Equity Income strategy
The geographical allocation of the Henderson Global Equity Income strategy is a function of where the managers find attractive stocks with good fundamentals and appealing valuations rather than being based on an overarching macro view.
Currently, we are finding the most attractive stock opportunities for both capital and income growth in developed markets. The outlook for earnings and dividends remains uncertain in many EM markets whereas most developed markets offer the potential for dividend growth.
While the strategy has a low direct weighting to EM, exposure is also achieved through certain developed market companies with significant emerging market business streams.
Ben Lofthouse became a fund manager at Henderson in 2008 and since then has managed a range of Equity Income mandates.
CC-BY-SA-2.0, FlickrPhoto: Kath Cates. Columbia Threadneedle Investments Appoints Kath Cates as Non-Executive Director
Columbia Threadneedle Investments announces the appointment of Kath Cates to the Board of Threadneedle Asset Management Holdings Sarl (effective 10 May) and the Board of Threadneedle Investment Services Limited (effective 29 March), as a Non- Executive Director.
Ms Cates is also a Non-Executive Director of RSA Insurance Group Plc, where she Chairs the Board Risk Committee and is a member of the Group Audit Committee and the Remuneration Committee. In addition, she is a Non-Executive Director of Brewin Dolphin, where she chairs the Board Risk Committee and is a member of the Group Audit Committee.
Ms Cates’ most recent executive role was Global Chief Operating Officer for Standard Chartered Bank, a position based in Singapore which she held until 2013. In this role she led the Risk, IT, Operations, Legal and Compliance, Human Resources, Strategy, Corporate Affairs, Brand and Marketing functions across 60 countries. Prior to joining Standard Chartered Bank, Ms Cates spent over 20 years at UBS, most recently in the Zurich-based role of Global Head of Compliance. For the previous 10 years she was based in Hong Kong, as APAC General Counsel and then as Regional Operating Officer.
Ms Cates earned a First Class Honours degree in Jurisprudence from Oxford University and qualified as a Solicitor in England & Wales before specialising in financial services.
Tim Gillbanks, Interim Regional Head, EMEA at Columbia Threadneedle Investments said: “I’m pleased to welcome Kath to Columbia Threadneedle. She brings valuable financial services experience particularly in the areas of risk management, governance and regulation and operational excellence. We look forward to working with Kath and to the benefit of her contribution to our business.”
