Fund Times: 18 – 22 February

New Star UK Property sells 60 Gracechurch Street, London; Morningstar release further fund reviews; Skandia to launch fourth best ideas fund; Old Mutual strengthen fixed income team; and Schroders launch defensive version of Income Maximiser

Tom Whitelaw 22 February, 2008 | 11:40AM
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New Star UK Property Sells 60 Gracechurch Street, London
The New Star UK Property fund have sold their 60 Gracechurch Street office in central London. The group put a positive spin on the sale, citing that shows “that liquidity and transaction levels have improved in 2008”. However New Star has had to accept a write down of around 12.4% on the investment originally purchased 14 months ago. Although it maybe a positive sign that a buyer was found, many investors will not be comforted by the £18m loss. New Star took the decision to sell in light of the scale of recent redemptions, and the resulting effect on the funds cash

balance. New Star also notes that they sought to reduce single asset exposure in the portfolio. Part of the proceeds from the sale of 60 Gracechurch Street – formally the fund’s largest holding – will be invested in listed property shares which the group note are currently trading at significant discounts. As a result of the sale, the fund’s liquidity position has risen to in excess of 25% of the fund’s total assets under management.

Morningstar Release Further Fund Reviews
This week has seen the release of three new fund reviews. Our analysts are currently reviewing the Morningstar UK Equity categories, but have thrown a little bit of spice into the mix this week in the form of Martin Currie Asia Pacific. Analyst Muna Abu-Habsa thinks the fund has merit. Back in the UK, we have also published new qualitative research on the Norwich UK Equity fund and the Newton Growth fund.

Skandia to Launch Fourth Best Ideas Fund
Skandia Investment Group (SIG), the newly formed asset management function which incorporates Skandia Investment Management Ltd (SIML), is intending to launch a European Best Ideas fund which will build on its existing suite of innovative Best Ideas funds. The three existing Best Ideas funds have seen assets grow to over £750 million in the last 18 months. The planned European Best Ideas fund is likely to be a long-only Dublin-based fund with Sterling, Euro and US Dollar share classes. The fund will invest in pan-European equities (with exposure to the UK) and, like previous Best Ideas funds, will blend the talents of ten world-class fund managers. These manages will pick their ten ‘best stock ideas’ and combine them in a single fund. As such the fund approximately 100 holdings, following the same process set down by the existing Global Best Ideas, UK Best Ideas, and UK Strategic Best Ideas funds.

Schroders Launch Defensive Version of Income Maximiser
Schroders has this week announced the launch of the Schroder Income Defensive Fund, which will open to investors on 7th March. The fund, which will be run by current Income Maximiser manger Richard Lloyd, will look to employ the same techniques used by Income Maximiser. However the new fund will also buy ‘put options’ to create an extra defensive cushion against falling share prices.

Old Mutual Strengthen Fixed Income Team
Old Mutual Asset Management has strengthened its fixed income team with the addition of two new hires. Chris Palmer has been appointed join manager of the Old Mutual Dynamic Bond fund alongside OMAM's Head of Fixed Income Andrew Tunks. Meanwhile Rachid Semoune has taken the position of deputy manager on Stephen Snowden’s Corporate Bond fund.

The information contained within is for educational and informational purposes ONLY. It is not intended nor should it be considered an invitation or inducement to buy or sell a security or securities noted within nor should it be viewed as a communication intended to persuade or incite you to buy or sell security or securities noted within. Any commentary provided is the opinion of the author and should not be considered a personalised recommendation. The information contained within should not be a person's sole basis for making an investment decision. Please contact your financial professional before making an investment decision.

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Tom Whitelaw  

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