New offerings within International Equity Sector - Absolute Return Funds from K2 and Five Oceans
In the current post-Global Financial Crisis environment, downside risk, erratic client behavior and market volatility is far more prevalent. With this in mind, Count has re-examined the Global Long/Short sector, which encompass dynamic managers that are truly focused on 'absolute' returns and downside risk mitigation.
Global long/short managers may utilise a broad range of strategies including: short selling, gearing, hedging tools and cash, in order to manage their exposure to upward and downward markets, depending on the investment manager's market outlook. At various stages through the market cycle, the performance of these funds may therefore have a low correlation with traditional equity benchmarks.
Following Count’s review of long/short strategies and fund managers, we have decided to add K2 Select International Absolute Return Fund and Five Oceans World Fund to our Approved Product List. These provide strong and unique offerings that allow greater diversification within this space. Both of these managers are able to utilise a wide range of tools to manage their cash levels and the fund’s exposure to both rising and falling markets. This allows clients to continue their "buy and hold" approach, while the underlying fund professionally manages the client's exposure to cash and equity markets. These funds are currently available through the Wealth-e-Account (BT Wrap), Star Portfolio and IOOF Portfolio Services Platforms.
For further information, please ring Sam Laser or Karen Jonas on (03) 9532 9433.