Columbia Threadneedle Investments announced that Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC has completed its acquisition of Emerging Global Advisors, LLC (EGA), a New York-based registered investment adviser and a leading provider of strategic beta emerging market portfolios. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.
The acquisition adds over $900 million in assets across a suite of nine emerging markets equity exchange- traded funds (ETFs) and significantly expands the firm’s capabilities in the development, management and deployment of innovative strategic beta products. The product line includes strategic and thematic index-based investment strategies, highlighted by the $671 million EGShares Emerging Markets Consumer ETF (ECON).
“We believe that our combined strategic beta offerings enhance and complement our actively managed investment capabilities and bring our expertise to a broader set of investors,” said Ted Truscott, chief executive officer of Columbia Threadneedle Investments. “We are pleased to welcome our new EGA colleagues to Columbia Threadneedle and to offer our clients and partners a strong platform of strategic beta portfolios.”
Marc Zeitoun, formerly EGA chief product and marketing officer, now leads Columbia Threadneedle’s strategic beta platform as head of strategic beta, reporting to Mr. Truscott. Edward Kerschner now serves as chief portfolio strategist for strategic beta, reporting to Colin Moore, global chief investment officer, and Mr. Zeitoun.
EGA’s website (www.emergingglobaladvisors.com) has been rebranded to Columbia Threadneedle Investments. Product information and market commentary related to the EGShares suite of ETFs can be found by visiting www.columbiathreadneedleetf.com and accessing the emerging market ETF section.