16 July 2007
July 13 2007: Winterthur announces the launch of the Winterthur Allianz RCM BRIC Stars Funds. The fund is available through the company’s Tailored Selection range of investment funds for Winterthur bond and individual pension investors.
The fund is designed to allow access to investment opportunities in the BRIC economies – Brazil, Russia, India and China – whilst maintaining a balanced exposure across other markets.
Winterthur Allianz RCM BRIC Stars Fund:
- Focuses on companies with attractive fundamentals and strong growth prospects
- Employs a flexible investment approach with up to a third of the fund invested in non-BRIC countries that will benefit from the BRIC effect
- Has an optimum risk/return profile which avoids relying on market cap weighting which can result in a high allocation to one or two countries
- Utilises Allianz Global Investor’s extensive resources which is managed by RCM, their dedicated global equity firm, which has 75 researchers and analysts, located around the globe with units across Asia and links in Russia. RCM provides first-hand information and advice on local companies and markets
- Uses Grassroots®, Allianz’s unique research tool with 12 full-time staff, 300 researchers and 50,000 industry contacts on the ground
- ‘A’ rated by Standard & Poor’s based on the quality of the investment process
- The fund has an annual management charge of 1.35% plus 35bps Total expense ratio.
Bernard Henshall, Investment Distribution Manager, Winterthur, said “We added this fund to our Tailored Selection platform due to the adviser demand for BRIC funds. Equity markets in BRIC economies have outperformed general emerging markets in four out of the last five years. This fund was particularly attractive due to its proven investment performance and well resourced research process. It is a great complement to the existing range of funds available through Winterthur’s Tailored Selection range of funds.”
Nick Smith, CEO, Allianz Global Investors, said “I am delighted Winterthur has chosen to link with the Allianz RCM BRIC Stars Fund. Currently the Fund has over £100m assets under management and is one of the best selling funds within the Global Emerging Markets sector.”
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For further information:
Paul Riddell Winterthur Life, Press Office +44 (0)1256 798099
Christine Wood FD +44 (0)20 7269 7253
Notes to Editors
About Winterthur Life UK Limited
Winterthur Life UK Limited is part of AXA Group, one of the largest financial institutions in the world.
Winterthur Life UK Limited is a provider of focused investment and retirement solutions and support services predominantly distributed through quality IFAs to their high net worth clients.
The company is recognised as having an innovative approach to financial products and its products feature simple, transparent charging with access to a wide range of carefully selected investment funds and fund managers via its Tailored Selection fund platform. Winterthur is also differentiated in the market through its focus on service excellence.
Winterthur Life UK Limited has a B+ financial strength rating from AKG, which denotes “very good financial strength”. At the end of 2006 Winterthur had assets under management exceeding £10 billion, and grew its new pensions business by 125% to £1.45 billion.
www.winterthur-life.co.uk
