Fund Times: 31 March – 4 April

New Star to launch India fund; Skandia to launch alternative Multi-Manager offering; SGAM to bring Middle East and Africa fund to the UK; First State adds to Global Resources team; Octopus launch long short Small-cap fund; and Threadneedle moves to establish brand in the US

Tom Whitelaw 4 April, 2008 | 5:36PM
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New Star to Launch India Fund
New Star Asset Management has this week announced plans to launch an Indian equity fund in partnership with TATA Asset Management. TATA are a subsidiary of the TATA group, one of India’s biggest conglomerates, and currently manage over US$6bn from their Mumbai offices. New Star's launch follows several others and comes on the heels of a multi-year rally in the market. However, we're pleased to see they have at least tired to ensure they give the fund a shot at success by hiring local-market experts. New Star and TATA aim to launch the fund in the second quarter of 2008.

Skandia to Launch Alternative Multi-Manager offering

span> Skandia is to launch a multi-manager fund allowing investors access to ten alternative asset classes. The fund will be exposed to hedge funds, timber, precious metals, water, infrastructure, hard and agricultural commodities. Similar to their other multi-manager offerings Skandia has selected ten fund managers who will each run an alternative asset class within the fund, and the fund will be available direct and via a variety of tax wrappers, subject to FSA approval.

SGAM to Bring Middle East and Africa Fund to the UK
SGAM are the latest fund group to offer the UK investor a way to invest in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), as they prepare to bring a version of their Luxembourg-domiciled Ocean MENA fund to the UK. Subject to FSA approval the UK offering will be called SGAM MENA Opportunities and be managed by Mark Krombas, who currently runs the Lux offering. The fund currently has a 30-60 stock portfolio and is invested in Dubai, Qatar, Egypt, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Tunisia.

First State Adds to Global Resources Team
First State has added two new hires to its Global Resources team. Darko Kuzmanovic has signed on as a senior portfolio manager, whilst John Ellis joins as a portfolio manager. The two will report to David Whitten, head of global resources for First State.

Octopus Launch Long Short Small-cap Fund
Octopus investments has launched a long short small-cap fund to be run by David Crawford. Crawford currently co-managers Octopus Opportunities .The fund will be know as Octopus Dynamic and will be co-managed by Richard Power who is lead manager of the Opps fund. Crawford has been with Octopus since 2006 after previously co-managing a £500 million small-cap portfolio for Hermes. He also managed a £150 million small-cap portfolio at M&G.

Threadneedle Moves to Establish Brand in the US
Threadneedle parent Ameriprise Financial is looking to grow the Threadneedle brand in the US. Four of the firm's funds sold to US investors, currently branded Riversource, will be rebadged to carry the Threadneedle name. Threadneedle already manages the assets.

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Tom Whitelaw  

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