Foto cedidaPaul Troussard, Victoire Dubrujeaud y Delphine Cadroy. Paul Troussard, Victoire Dubrujeaud y Delphine Cadroy
To support the development of its High Yield credit and Large Cap equities expertise, La Française AM, the securities investment manager of the group La Française, has announced in a press release the arrival of three new talents.
Victoire Dubrujeaud and Delphine Cadroy have joined the High Yield team, led byAkram Gharbi, Head of High Yield Investment, within the credit division, headed by Paul Gurzal, Head of Credit. The asset manager believes that they will both enhance the strong development of La Française AM’s expertise in fixed maturity funds, which represents more than 1 billion euros in assets under management (as at 31/05/2021).
Dubrujeaud, High Yield Fund Manager, will bring “a solid knowledge of the high yield market” acquired over ten years of experience, mainly as a credit analyst. She began her career at Amundi Asset Management as an Investment Grade Credit Analyst, specialising in the consumer, distribution and healthcare sectors, before diversifying into High Yield in the chemicals, metals and gaming sectors. In 2017, she joined SCOR Investment Partners as a High Yield and Leveraged Loans Analyst, then became Fund Manager/High Yield Analyst at ODDO BHF Asset Management in 2019 where she managed nearly 2 billion euros in fixed maturity funds.
Cadroy, High Yield Fund Manager, joins La Française AM after five years of international experience beginning in London with Société Générale as an analyst in syndicated loans, before joining Amazon, then Moody’s as an Analyst in Leveraged Finance, responsible for a portfolio of twenty companies, rated high-yield and operating in the healthcare, business services and consumer sectors.
Besides, Paul Troussard has joined the Large Cap Equities team to strengthen the coverage of the euro zone, under the direction of Nina Lagron, Head of Large Cap Equities, who said that his arrival will allow them to “focus on the team’s new sustainable investment themes.”
Troussard, Large Cap Equities Fund Manager, spent more than four years at Clartan Associés as a European equities fund manager, all sectors. There, he developed an expertise in extra-financial analysis by participating in the implementation of an ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) investment strategy and in the launch of a sustainable European small and mid-cap fund.
Pixabay CC0 Public Domain. China y Estados Unidos impulsan el crecimiento y la recuperación del sector del lujo
After a year in which the only increase in consumption was recorded in the upper part of the luxury consumer pyramid, whose market share doubled compared to the previous year, the global market is gradually recovering and is estimated to return to pre-pandemic levels by 2022, according to the “True-Luxury Global Consumer Insight”, a report by Boston Consulting Group and Altagamma.
Their conclusions show that thepushcomesaboveallfromUSconsumers, whose luxury purchases have restarted more quickly than expected, thanks to the strong government support, and from Chinese consumers, who confirm the trend towards the repatriation of purchases, started during COVID-19.
This recovery is due to a “rebound effect”: the desire for luxury increases in post-pandemic. In this sense, the report shows that spending expectations of high-end consumers in the 12 months are generally positive: the consumers’ feeling is slightly oppositefor personaland experiential luxury, with the first one expected to benefit from domestic consumption, and experiential luxury forecasted to be increasingly supported by abroad spending.
MillennialsandGen.Zaretheother growth drivers and will account for 60% of total consumers by 2025. Among the major trends in consolidation: the increasing virtualization of luxury (new digital tools for engaging the consumer), the polarization of values between Western and Eastern styles, an omnichannel-centered distribution system and a growing attention towards the values of brands, in terms of environmental sustainability and inclusiveness.
“The report shows positive signs for 2021, beyond expectations. China and especially the US are driving growth with more than a third of international consumers planning to increase spending on high-end goods and experiences, including travel. The sector has shown solidity and quickly captured the new socio-cultural trends. Sustainability is certainly one of these, but the strong virtualization of the luxury experience is also striking, as highlighted by the success of sales in livestreaming and by gaming, a sector that reached the value of $178 billion in 2020”, says Matteo Lunelli, President of Altagamma.
If Europeans are cautious about domestic spending and more pessimistic about foreign spending for the next 12 months, US and Chinese consumers stand out for their optimism, placing themselves as potential growth drivers of the personal luxury market in the near future.
“Americans are back” comments Sarah Willersdorf, Managing Director and Partner at Boston Consulting Group. In this sense, she points out that US consumers are bullish on both domestic and abroad luxury consumption expectations, showing Americans are poised to regain their importance in the Global Luxury market. Such renewed optimism is expected to produce a share increase versus pre-covid forecasts of +2-3 p.p., estimated at 19-21% by 2025.
“Consumers from China are also planning to increase their spend but also continuing to repatriate it, with an acceleration here as well versus pre-pandemic estimates in terms of share, amounting to +3-4 p.p., to reach 43-45% in 2025. Brands will need to take a strategic stance towards these two consumers clusters that, besides diverging tastes in terms of style, entail different implications in terms of marketing and distribution footprint investments”, she adds.
The report highlights that virtualization of luxury is an increasingly defined reality that can pose great opportunity of additional revenues stream for the brands. “Particularly gaming: amongst the 39% of consumers who have claimed to be aware of the existence of virtual online games that involve a luxury brand, 55% of them state to have bought in-game items. Amongst them, 86% state to have then purchased the corresponding physical version”, it says.
Other trends that stand out are the boost of social and live commerce (i.e. livestreaming), with the interactions between customersandbrandsbecomingincreasinglydirectand digitally focused; and clienteling 2.0, the importance of the “human” touch. “Compared to last year, a personalized “touch” remains key for consumers when reached across all digital and physical avenues by a brand, confirming the need for brands to create a more 1-1 relationship with the customer across all touchpoints”, concludes the report.
Corporate moves continue in the global asset management industry. The Goldman Sachs Group has announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire the Dutch asset manager NN Investment Partners (NN IP) from NN Group N.V. for approximately 1.6 billion euros (1.87 billion dollars), consisting of a base purchase price of 1,515 million.
This amount doesn’t include a ticking fee and excess capital of 50 million euros to be distributed in the form of a dividend before completion, so the final figure could rise to €1.7 billion. The transaction is expected to close by the end of the first quarter of 2022, subject to regulatory and other approvals and conditions, reveal the statements released by both firms.
As part of the agreement, NN Group and Goldman Sachs Asset Management will enter into a ten-year strategic partnership under which the combined company will continue to provide asset management services to NN Group.
The combination of the complementary investment capabilities of NN IP and Goldman Sachs will create a full suite of asset management products that can be offered to clients through the distribution networks of both parties. At the same time, NN IP has highlighted that its “leading position” in responsible investing will strengthen Goldman Sachs Asset Management’s sustainable investment strategy, product offerings and client solutions.
A stronger European business
NN IP is a leading European asset manager based in The Hague, Netherlands, with approximately $355 billion in assets under supervision and $70 billion in assets under advice. It offers a broad range of equity and fixed income products, with a strong ESG integration across its business. Besides, it is a top-ranked ESG manager in Europe and 75% of its assets under supervision are ESG integrated. With a heritage dating back almost 175 years, NN IP employs more than 900 professionals in 15 countries and combines the use of data and technology with fundamental analysis in its investment processes.
NN IP’s employees will join Goldman Sachs Asset Management following the closing of the transaction and both firms expect that the Netherlands will become a significant location in GSAM’s European business. “We believe that their expertise will strengthen our fund management and distribution platform across retail and institutional channels in Europe and support us in delivering long-term value to clients”, said Goldman Sachs in its press release.
In their view, NN IP is highly complementary to their existing European footprint and will add new capabilities and accelerate growth in products such as European equity and investment grade credit, sustainable and impact equity, and green bonds.
Goldman Sachs has $2.3 trillion in assets under supervision globally, and this transaction will bring assets under supervision in Europe to over $600 billion, aligning with the firm’s strategic objectives to scale its European business and extend its global reach.
As a result of the agreement, Satish Bapat will step down from his role as a member of the Management Board of NN Group. He will continue to lead NN IP in his role as CEO.
A strategic partnership
Meanwhile, the combination with Goldman Sachs gives NN IP a broader platform to accelerate its growth and further improve the offering and service to its clients. It will also allow NN Group to continue its cooperation with NN IP and to benefit from the strengths and complementary product propositions of Goldman Sachs.
As part of the agreement, GSAM will enter into a long-term strategic partnership agreement with NN Group to manage an approximately $190 billion portfolio of assets, reflecting the strength of the business’ global insurance asset management capabilities and alternatives franchise.
The partnership will establish Goldman Sachs as the largest non-affiliated insurance asset manager globally, with over $550 billion in assets under supervision, and the acquisition will provide a foundation for further growth in the firm’s European fiduciary management business, building on the success of its platform in the United States and United Kingdom.
“This acquisition allows us to accelerate our growth strategy and broaden our asset management platform. NN IP offers a leading European client franchise and an extension of our strength in insurance asset management. Across their offerings they have been successful in integrating sustainability which mirrors our own level of ambition to put responsible investing and stewardship at the heart of our business. We look forward to partnering with the team at NN IP as we focus on delivering long-term value to our clients and our shareholders”, commented David Solomon, Chairman and CEO of Goldman Sachs.
Meanwhile, David Knibbe, CEO of NN Group, pointed out that they have a “longstanding and successful” shared history with NN IP. “We value this strong and constructive relationship that we have and we look forward to further building on it in a new form. This transaction brings together two international asset managers, each with many decades of investment experience. We have found a strong and professional partner in Goldman Sachs, providing an environment in which our NN IP colleagues can continue to thrive, while the combined investment expertise and scale will enhance the service offering to their clients, including NN Group”, he added.
The U.S. equity market set a record high during the last week of July with the benchmark S&P 500 index closing higher for the sixth consecutive month, overriding fears of rising inflation and a potential slowdown in economic growth.On July 19, the U.S. Business Cycle Dating Committee announced that the COVID-19 induced two month U.S. recession from March to April of 2020 was the shortest on record, putting the 1980 February to July recession in second place.
Upcoming key events include Fed Chairman Powell’s keynote speech at the Jackson Hole Economic Symposium on this year’s theme “Macroeconomic Policy in an Uneven Economy,” on Aug. 26, which follows the July jobs report that came out on August 6th. Goldman Sachs economists “expect the Fed will first hint that it intends to decrease the size of its $120 billion monthly asset purchases at its September meeting, formally announce tapering in December, and begin tapering in early 2022.” Chairman Bernanke’s 2013 ‘taper tantrum’ statement that the Fed “could in the next few meetings take a step down in its pace of purchases” started a five-day, 40 basis point rise in the 10-year UST yield to 2.6% and 5% drop in stocks.
GAMCO’s Private Market Value (PMV) with a Catalyst™ stock research ideas highlighted as ‘stock picks’ during BARRON’S 2021 Midyear Roundtable, published in the July 19, issue, were: CNH Industrial (CNHI) that recently purchased Raven Industries (RAVN), a leader in precision-agriculture technology, Mexico’s TV network Grupo Televisa (TV) popular with the Spanish-speaking population, Deutsche Telekom (DTE) with a valuable stake in T-Mobile US (TMUS), Vivendi (VIV) a play on music streaming, ViacomCBS (VIACA) a restructuring play, Liberty Braves Group (BATRA) with John Malone at bat, Madison Square Garden Sports (MSGS) with James Dolan up, and Traton (8TRA) a truck maker spun out of Volkswagen with 25% of the Class 8 truck market in Europe, and now in the U.S. via its purchase of Lisle, Illinois based Navistar Inc.
Looking to M&A, Willis Towers Watson (WLTW) and Aon (AON) mutually agreed to walk away from their all-stock, $30 billion merger. Willis Towers Watson agreed to be acquired by Aon in March 2020 and terms of the deal called for Willis Towers shareholders to receive 1.08 shares of Aon for each share. In June, the U.S. DOJ filed suit to block the deal even though the European Commission had already granted conditional regulatory approval after the parties had agreed to sell overlapping business units that generated billions of dollars in revenue. Following efforts to negotiate additional divestitures to mollify the DOJ, an impasse was reached with the regulator and the parties opted to continue as separate companies. Willis Towers Watson received a $1 billion termination fee from Aon as a result, and will use the funds to buy back $1 billion of its stock. The unexpected move resulted in spreads widening on other mergers in sympathy.
Although this was a shock to the M&A market, we believe conditions are strong for continued strength building off of the record $2.8 billion from the first half of the year. Favourable dynamics remain in place, including historically low interest rates, accommodating debt markets, substantial dry powder held by private equity firms and management teams looking to better compete in an overall evolving global marketplace. While more deals do not necessarily translate to outsized returns, it, coupled with these various drivers, certainly provides for an encouraging landscaping and backdrop for investment opportunities within a portfolio like ours.
Rounding out our outlook with the convertibles space, the global convertible market saw some weakness in July, weighed down by a few large Chinese issuers. While some of these issues are now more attractively priced, we continue to view them cautiously. July was also the worst month for new issuance globally in nearly two years with only $3.4 billion of convertibles pricing. We are confident that issuance will pick back up as companies exit quiet periods around earnings and we approach typically busier fall months. The fundamental reasons for increased convertible issuance are still quite intact with low interest rates, increasing equity prices, and favourable tax environments available to most potential issuers.
To summarize, GAMCO continues to expect more deals — mergers, spinoffs, and other forms of financial engineering. Stocks should continue to do well with politicians spending to ensure a good economy for the midterms, and convertibles are an appealing way to stay invested in equities with the benefit of asymmetric risk exposure.
___________________________________________
To access our proprietary value investment methodology, and dedicated merger arbitrage portfolio we offer the following UCITS Funds in each discipline:
GAMCO MERGER ARBITRAGE
GAMCO Merger Arbitrage UCITS Fund, launched in October 2011, is an open-end fund incorporated in Luxembourg and compliant with UCITS regulation. The team, dedicated strategy, and record dates back to 1985. The objective of the GAMCO Merger Arbitrage Fund is to achieve long-term capital growth by investing primarily in announced equity merger and acquisition transactions while maintaining a diversified portfolio. The Fund utilizes a highly specialized investment approach designed principally to profit from the successful completion of proposed mergers, takeovers, tender offers, leveraged buyouts and other types of corporate reorganizations. Analyzes and continuously monitors each pending transaction for potential risk, including: regulatory, terms, financing, and shareholder approval.
Merger investments are a highly liquid, non-market correlated, proven and consistent alternative to traditional fixed income and equity securities. Merger returns are dependent on deal spreads. Deal spreads are a function of time, deal risk premium, and interest rates. Returns are thus correlated to interest rate changes over the medium term and not the broader equity market. The prospect of rising rates would imply higher returns on mergers as spreads widen to compensate arbitrageurs. As bond markets decline (interest rates rise), merger returns should improve as capital allocation decisions adjust to the changes in the costs of capital.
Broad Market volatility can lead to widening of spreads in merger positions, coupled with our well-researched merger portfolios, offer the potential for enhanced IRRs through dynamic position sizing. Daily price volatility fluctuations coupled with less proprietary capital (the Volcker rule) in the U.S. have contributed to improving merger spreads and thus, overall returns. Thus our fund is well positioned as a cash substitute or fixed income alternative.
Our objectives are to compound and preserve wealth over time, while remaining non-correlated to the broad global markets. We created our first dedicated merger fund 32 years ago. Since then, our merger performance has grown client assets at an annualized rate of approximately 10.7% gross and 7.6% net since 1985. Today, we manage assets on behalf of institutional and high net worth clients globally in a variety of fund structures and mandates.
Class I USD – LU0687944552 Class I EUR – LU0687944396 Class A USD – LU0687943745 Class A EUR – LU0687943661 Class R USD – LU1453360825 Class R EUR – LU1453361476
GAMCO ALL CAP VALUE
The GAMCO All Cap Value UCITS Fund launched in May, 2015 utilizes Gabelli’s its proprietary PMV with a Catalyst™ investment methodology, which has been in place since 1977. The Fund seeks absolute returns through event driven value investing. Our methodology centers around fundamental, research-driven, value based investing with a focus on asset values, cash flows and identifiable catalysts to maximize returns independent of market direction. The fund draws on the experience of its global portfolio team and 35+ value research analysts.
GAMCO is an active, bottom-up, value investor, and seeks to achieve real capital appreciation (relative to inflation) over the long term regardless of market cycles. Our value-oriented stock selection process is based on the fundamental investment principles first articulated in 1934 by Graham and Dodd, the founders of modern security analysis, and further augmented by Mario Gabelli in 1977 with his introduction of the concepts of Private Market Value (PMV) with a Catalyst™ into equity analysis. PMV with a Catalyst™ is our unique research methodology that focuses on individual stock selection by identifying firms selling below intrinsic value with a reasonable probability of realizing their PMV’s which we define as the price a strategic or financial acquirer would be willing to pay for the entire enterprise. The fundamental valuation factors utilized to evaluate securities prior to inclusion/exclusion into the portfolio, our research driven approach views fundamental analysis as a three pronged approach: free cash flow (earnings before, interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA, minus the capital expenditures necessary to grow/maintain the business); earnings per share trends; and private market value (PMV), which encompasses on and off balance sheet assets and liabilities. Our team arrives at a PMV valuation by a rigorous assessment of fundamentals from publicly available information and judgement gained from meeting management, covering all size companies globally and our comprehensive, accumulated knowledge of a variety of sectors. We then identify businesses for the portfolio possessing the proper margin of safety and research variables from our deep research universe.
Class I USD – LU1216601648 Class I EUR – LU1216601564 Class A USD – LU1216600913 Class A EUR – LU1216600673 Class R USD – LU1453359900 Class R EUR – LU1453360155
GAMCO CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES
GAMCO Convertible Securities’ objective is to seek to provide current income as well as long term capital appreciation through a total return strategy by investing in a diversified portfolio of global convertible securities.
The Fund leverages the firm’s history of investing in dedicated convertible security portfolios since 1979.
The fund invests in convertible securities, as well as other instruments that have economic characteristics similar to such securities, across global markets (but the fund will not invest in contingent convertible notes). The fund may invest in securities of any market capitalization or credit quality, including up to 100% in below investment grade or unrated securities, and may from time to time invest a significant amount of its assets in securities of smaller companies. Convertible securities may include any suitable convertible instruments such as convertible bonds, convertible notes or convertible preference shares.
By actively managing the fund and investing in convertible securities, the investment manager seeks the opportunity to participate in the capital appreciation of underlying stocks, while at the same time relying on the fixed income aspect of the convertible securities to provide current income and reduced price volatility, which can limit the risk of loss in a down equity market.
Class I USD LU2264533006
Class I EUR LU2264532966
Class A USD LU2264532701
Class A EUR LU2264532610
Class R USD LU2264533345
Class R EUR LU2264533261
Class F USD LU2264533691
Class F EUR LU2264533428
Disclaimer: The information and any opinions have been obtained from or are based on sources believed to be reliable but accuracy cannot be guaranteed. No responsibility can be accepted for any consequential loss arising from the use of this information. The information is expressed at its date and is issued only to and directed only at those individuals who are permitted to receive such information in accordance with the applicable statutes. In some countries the distribution of this publication may be restricted. It is your responsibility to find out what those restrictions are and observe them.
Some of the statements in this presentation may contain or be based on forward looking statements, forecasts, estimates, projections, targets, or prognosis (“forward looking statements”), which reflect the manager’s current view of future events, economic developments and financial performance. Such forward looking statements are typically indicated by the use of words which express an estimate, expectation, belief, target or forecast. Such forward looking statements are based on an assessment of historical economic data, on the experience and current plans of the investment manager and/or certain advisors of the manager, and on the indicated sources. These forward looking statements contain no representation or warranty of whatever kind that such future events will occur or that they will occur as described herein, or that such results will be achieved by the fund or the investments of the fund, as the occurrence of these events and the results of the fund are subject to various risks and uncertainties. The actual portfolio, and thus results, of the fund may differ substantially from those assumed in the forward looking statements. The manager and its affiliates will not undertake to update or review the forward looking statements contained in this presentation, whether as result of new information or any future event or otherwise.
Pixabay CC0 Public Domain. Los inversores de los mercados emergentes esperan el momento adecuado para hacer uso del efectivo
Emerging market (EM) investors are holding high levels of cash in their portfolios, waiting for markets to stabilize before investing in higher-yielding assets, according to HSBC. Its latest quarterly EM Sentiment Survey found that 45% of investors polled have in excess of 5% of their portfolios in cash and 59% don’t expect to deploy it over the next three months.
“Emerging market investors are waiting for the right time to invest because the markets have been gyrating wildly over the past two months. Only last month, the US Federal Reserve turned more hawkish and the focus was on rate rises and tapering and this month the pendulum has swung completely the other way as investors worry about the continued impact of COVID on growth”, said Murat Ulgen, Global Head of EM Research at the firm.
The survey -the fifth of its kind in a series first launched in June 2020- was conducted between 8 June 2021 and 23 July 2021 among 124 investors from 119 institutions representing 506 billion dollars of EM assets under management.
The poll shows that around half of investors are neutral on the prospects for EM countries over the next three months, although 40% are now bullish, up from 34% in the first quarter of the year. Risk appetite (measured on a scale from 0 to 10 where 10 means the greatest willingness to take risk) also rose modestly to 6.17 from 6.04
EM investors are, however, becoming less optimistic on the growth outlook for EM countries over the next 12 months and have, therefore, also downgraded their inflation expectations. The proportion who are optimistic on growth dropped to 60% in the most recent survey, down from 89% at the end of last year, and those expecting inflation to rise dropped to 59% from 77% at the end of the first quarter.
Rates, the biggest concern
Nevertheless, a clear majority of investors (56%) still expect to see higher policy rates across EM countries with many central banks, including those of Brazil, Russia, Hungary and Mexico, already having hiked rates in 2021. “The feeling among investors is that while the growth outlook is dimmer and inflation is less of a concern than at the beginning of the year, EM countries will continue to hike rates because they are trying to pre-empt Fed tightening and avoid a repeat of the taper tantrum we saw in 2013-2014,” commented Ulgen.
The prospect of tightening by the US Federal Reserve was cited by more respondents as a concern than any other issue, ahead of inflation and COVID-19. This is encouraging investors to focus on economies with rapid rate increases. In this sense, Ulgen pointed out that when you fear that global rates are going to rise, “you’re going to be looking for a higher risk premium to invest in the emerging markets as insulation against tapering”.
With expectations for further rate rises in EM countries, 40% of survey respondents expect EM FX to appreciate against the US dollar, up from 22% in April. Those expectations tend to be most bullish in countries that are frontloading rate hikes, notably Russia and Brazil. Similarly, the poll results suggest investors are seeking a higher risk premium in fixed income as well, citing Russia (22% of the total), Nigeria (13% of the total) and South Africa (12% of the total) as the top three markets with a more favourable outlook in local currency debt.
While Asia remains the most favoured investment destination, the net sentiment has declined as investors are focusing on countries that are benefitting from the rise in commodity prices, including Latin America, Middle East and Africa.
Lastly, engagement with environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing continues to rise, with 45% of respondents now running an ESG portfolio either directly indirectly, up from 30% in June 2020. Climate change, inequality, and minority shareholder protection remain the top three ESG concerns respectively.
Foto cedidaNathalie Wallace, nueva directora global de inversión sostenible de Natixis Investment Managers. Nathalie Wallace, nueva directora global de inversión sostenible de Natixis Investment Managers
Natixis Investment Managershas appointed Nathalie Wallace as Global Head of Sustainable Investing, effective 1st September. She will report to Joseph Pinto, Head of Distribution for Europe, Latin America, Middle East and Asia Pacific, and will be based in Boston.
In a press release, the asset manager has revealed that, in her role, Wallace will be responsible for driving the firm’s ESG commitments across its distribution network, its affiliate managers and through its participation in industry-wide initiatives. She will also focus on supporting clients on their ESG journey from early stage integration to allocation to impact investing. “ESG is at the heart of the strategic ambitions of Natixis IM, which targets to have 600 billion euros of its AUM, equivalent to around 50% of the total, invested in the sustainable or impact investing category by 2024.
Wallace joins from Mirova US, where she was Head of ESG Strategy & Development. She earned her bachelor’s degree at the Institut Supérieur de Gestion Business School in Paris, France and is a Certified International Investment Analyst (CIIA). She served as French Foreign Trade Advisor from 2014 to 2020 and is a member of the CFA Institute’s ESG Technical Committee.
“Having most recently worked at Mirova, our dedicated sustainable investment affiliate, Nathalie, with her deep knowledge and long industry experience, is ideally placed to lead our strategy to support clients in their journey to align their ESG beliefs with their investment goals, and to help us further our contribution to the transition to a more sustainable global economy”, commented Tim Ryan, CEO of Natixis IM.
Foto cedidaRobert Sharps, asumirá como CEO de T.Rowe Price en 2022. Rob Sharps
T. Rowe Price has recently announced key leadership transitions. Its CEO and chair of the Board of Directors, Bill Stromberg, will retire on December 31, 2021, after 35 years at the firm. In a press release, the asset manager has revealed that Rob Sharps, its current president, head of investments, CIO and a member of the firm’s Management Committee, will succeed him as of January 1.
Sharps will then become president and CEO, take over as chair of the Management Committee and join the Board of Directors. He joined T. Rowe Price in 1997 as an equity analyst and his role and influence have broadened in recent years as he has taken a more active role in corporate strategy, product development and key client relationships. Before becoming head of investments and group CIO, Sharps was co-head of Global Equity, the longtime portfolio manager of the US Large-Cap Growth Equity Strategy, and portfolio manager of the former US Growth & Income Equity Strategy.
“I am honored to be the next CEO of T. Rowe Price and am grateful for the confidence that both Bill and the Board have placed in me. T. Rowe Price is well positioned to execute on significant opportunities ahead, and I am excited to lead our business forward and continue helping our clients achieve their financial goals”, he said.
Alan D. Wilson, lead independent director, highlighted that Stromberg has been a remarkable leader and highly effective CEO: “He has deftly navigated the firm through a period of significant change and disruption in the industry. Under his leadership, significant investments in our investment, distribution, product, operations, technology, and corporate function teams have helped the company deliver strong results for clients and take advantage of strong markets to grow assets under management, revenues, earnings, and dividends”, he added.
Lastly, Stromberg commented that, over the course of hist 20-year partnership with Rob, he has consistently demonstrated his abilities as “a talented investor, a principled decision-maker, and an accessible and impactful leader of people and processes”.
Additional leadership transitions
The firm has also announced other changes in senior positions. Specifically, Céline Dufétel, chief operating officer (COO), chief financial officer (CFO), and treasurer, will be stepping down, but she will serve in an advisory role until August 31, 2021, “to ensure a seamless transition”. Jen Dardis, currently head of Finance, will take over her roles and join the Management Committee.
Besides, Eric Veiel, currently co-head of Global Equity, head of U.S. Equity, and chair of the U.S. Equity Steering Committee (ESC), will become head of Global Equity, as of January 1, 2022. At that time, Josh Nelson, currently associate head of U.S. Equity, will become head of U.S. Equity and chair of the U.S. ESC and will join the Management Committee.
Pixabay CC0 Public DomainBonos convertibles . Bonos convertibles
The U.S. equity market set new records during the second quarter with the benchmark S&P 500 index marking its 34th record close of the year on the last day of June. U.S. stocks gained for a fifth straight quarter, the longest run since 2007, and this year’s first-half performance was second only to 1998. According to BofA, ‘stocks were the only major asset class with positive returns in 1H.’
The Fed’s aggressive monetary policy has forced short-term nominal U.S. interest rates down close to zero percent. The Fed is buying $80 billion of U.S. Treasuries and $40 billion mortgage bonds a month, swelling its balance sheet. The mid-month June FOMC statement surprised the markets by pulling tapering expectations for the first rise in short rates forward, citing strength in the U.S economy from vaccinations progress, strong fiscal and monetary stimulus, and the ongoing recovery in sectors hardest hit by the pandemic. With a focus on upcoming U.S. employment and economic releases, the Fed may have to shorten its taper lift-off date again as reverse repo market pressures continue to rise.
Evercore ISI’s economist Ed Hyman writes: The Pandemic Recession has been counted as a recession by the NBER, albeit totally unique with the biggest plunge ever, the shortest recession ever, and the sharpest rebound ever. Nonetheless, the most likely path forward is a typical expansion which have lasted 5 to 10 years.
Mergers and acquisitions activity remained vibrant in the second quarter with $1.6 trillion in announced deals – a new record – bringing global deal volume in the first half to $2.8 trillion, also a record. Market conditions remain conducive for continued M&A including historically low interest rates, accommodative debt markets and a desire to better compete globally. We realized gains on deals that closed including Corelogic, Extended Stay, Signature Aviation, and Cooper Tire. Newly announced deals in June include Lydal’s acquisition by Clearlake Capital for $1.3 billion, Cloudera’s acquisition by KKR and CD&R for $5 billion and CAI International’s acquisition by Mitsubishi Capital for $1 billion. We remain constructive on the M&A market and our ability to earn absolute returns.
Streaming wars and Tech, Media and Telecom deals will be heating up in Sun Valley, Idaho during a five-day conference which started July 6th. Media moguls from major companies including Netflix, Walt Disney, Discovery, Amazon, WarnerMedia, Comcast, ViacomCBS, Lions Gate, News Corp, and Fox were in attendance, bringing potential deals and the future of media to the spotlight.
In the convertible securities space, performance improved in June as underlying equities moved higher. Issuance continued at a more normal pace than the record numbers occurring earlier in this year. Convertibles remain a very attractive way for companies to raise capital quickly at agreeable terms, and we anticipate that 2021 will be another year of strong issuance. The global market for convertibles is approaching $600 Billion USD, with the US accounting for nearly 3/4 of the total outstanding.
Globally, convertibles have become very equity sensitive this year, with 54% in what we would consider equity equivalent issues, only 34% in total return issues and 12% in fixed income equivalent. By comparison, we remain focused on total returns for our shareholders, with 22% of the fund in equity equivalent issues, 72% in total return, and 6% in fixed income equivalent. As a result our portfolio has a 2.2% yield, 25% premium, 61 delta and average price of 120. The global convertible universe yields 1.4% with a 24% premium, 64 delta, and 129 average price. By picking up yield but maintaining a similar conversion premium and delta closer to par, we believe this more balanced mix of holdings will help us participate in further equity upside while still offering the asymmetrical return profile that makes convertibles attractive investments.
For the month of June, our top contributors to fund performance included QTS Realty and Splunk. QTS Realty is a data center provider that is being acquired by Blackstone Group. The stock was up sharply on the news and the convertible preferred moved higher as well due to its equity sensitivity. Splunk provides software for data analytics and security. The stock moved higher on news of a strategic investment from Silver Lake. Top detractors from performance this month included Southwest Airlines and JetBlue. Both of these airlines had moved higher in anticipation of travel accelerating, but the stocks and convertibles moved lower despite positive headlines in the month of June
To access our proprietary value investment methodology, and dedicated merger arbitrage portfolio we offer the following UCITS Funds in each discipline:
GAMCO MERGER ARBITRAGE
GAMCO Merger Arbitrage UCITS Fund, launched in October 2011, is an open-end fund incorporated in Luxembourg and compliant with UCITS regulation. The team, dedicated strategy, and record dates back to 1985. The objective of the GAMCO Merger Arbitrage Fund is to achieve long-term capital growth by investing primarily in announced equity merger and acquisition transactions while maintaining a diversified portfolio. The Fund utilizes a highly specialized investment approach designed principally to profit from the successful completion of proposed mergers, takeovers, tender offers, leveraged buyouts and other types of corporate reorganizations. Analyzes and continuously monitors each pending transaction for potential risk, including: regulatory, terms, financing, and shareholder approval.
Merger investments are a highly liquid, non-market correlated, proven and consistent alternative to traditional fixed income and equity securities. Merger returns are dependent on deal spreads. Deal spreads are a function of time, deal risk premium, and interest rates. Returns are thus correlated to interest rate changes over the medium term and not the broader equity market. The prospect of rising rates would imply higher returns on mergers as spreads widen to compensate arbitrageurs. As bond markets decline (interest rates rise), merger returns should improve as capital allocation decisions adjust to the changes in the costs of capital.
Broad Market volatility can lead to widening of spreads in merger positions, coupled with our well-researched merger portfolios, offer the potential for enhanced IRRs through dynamic position sizing. Daily price volatility fluctuations coupled with less proprietary capital (the Volcker rule) in the U.S. have contributed to improving merger spreads and thus, overall returns. Thus our fund is well positioned as a cash substitute or fixed income alternative.
Our objectives are to compound and preserve wealth over time, while remaining non-correlated to the broad global markets. We created our first dedicated merger fund 32 years ago. Since then, our merger performance has grown client assets at an annualized rate of approximately 10.7% gross and 7.6% net since 1985. Today, we manage assets on behalf of institutional and high net worth clients globally in a variety of fund structures and mandates.
Class I USD – LU0687944552 Class I EUR – LU0687944396 Class A USD – LU0687943745 Class A EUR – LU0687943661 Class R USD – LU1453360825 Class R EUR – LU1453361476
GAMCO ALL CAP VALUE
The GAMCO All Cap Value UCITS Fund launched in May, 2015 utilizes Gabelli’s its proprietary PMV with a Catalyst™ investment methodology, which has been in place since 1977. The Fund seeks absolute returns through event driven value investing. Our methodology centers around fundamental, research-driven, value based investing with a focus on asset values, cash flows and identifiable catalysts to maximize returns independent of market direction. The fund draws on the experience of its global portfolio team and 35+ value research analysts.
GAMCO is an active, bottom-up, value investor, and seeks to achieve real capital appreciation (relative to inflation) over the long term regardless of market cycles. Our value-oriented stock selection process is based on the fundamental investment principles first articulated in 1934 by Graham and Dodd, the founders of modern security analysis, and further augmented by Mario Gabelli in 1977 with his introduction of the concepts of Private Market Value (PMV) with a Catalyst™ into equity analysis. PMV with a Catalyst™ is our unique research methodology that focuses on individual stock selection by identifying firms selling below intrinsic value with a reasonable probability of realizing their PMV’s which we define as the price a strategic or financial acquirer would be willing to pay for the entire enterprise. The fundamental valuation factors utilized to evaluate securities prior to inclusion/exclusion into the portfolio, our research driven approach views fundamental analysis as a three pronged approach: free cash flow (earnings before, interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA, minus the capital expenditures necessary to grow/maintain the business); earnings per share trends; and private market value (PMV), which encompasses on and off balance sheet assets and liabilities. Our team arrives at a PMV valuation by a rigorous assessment of fundamentals from publicly available information and judgement gained from meeting management, covering all size companies globally and our comprehensive, accumulated knowledge of a variety of sectors. We then identify businesses for the portfolio possessing the proper margin of safety and research variables from our deep research universe.
Class I USD – LU1216601648 Class I EUR – LU1216601564 Class A USD – LU1216600913 Class A EUR – LU1216600673 Class R USD – LU1453359900 Class R EUR – LU1453360155
GAMCO CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES
GAMCO Convertible Securities’ objective is to seek to provide current income as well as long term capital appreciation through a total return strategy by investing in a diversified portfolio of global convertible securities.
The Fund leverages the firm’s history of investing in dedicated convertible security portfolios since 1979.
The fund invests in convertible securities, as well as other instruments that have economic characteristics similar to such securities, across global markets (but the fund will not invest in contingent convertible notes). The fund may invest in securities of any market capitalization or credit quality, including up to 100% in below investment grade or unrated securities, and may from time to time invest a significant amount of its assets in securities of smaller companies. Convertible securities may include any suitable convertible instruments such as convertible bonds, convertible notes or convertible preference shares.
By actively managing the fund and investing in convertible securities, the investment manager seeks the opportunity to participate in the capital appreciation of underlying stocks, while at the same time relying on the fixed income aspect of the convertible securities to provide current income and reduced price volatility, which can limit the risk of loss in a down equity market.
Class I USD LU2264533006
Class I EUR LU2264532966
Class A USD LU2264532701
Class A EUR LU2264532610
Class R USD LU2264533345
Class R EUR LU2264533261
Class F USD LU2264533691
Class F EUR LU2264533428
Disclaimer: The information and any opinions have been obtained from or are based on sources believed to be reliable but accuracy cannot be guaranteed. No responsibility can be accepted for any consequential loss arising from the use of this information. The information is expressed at its date and is issued only to and directed only at those individuals who are permitted to receive such information in accordance with the applicable statutes. In some countries the distribution of this publication may be restricted. It is your responsibility to find out what those restrictions are and observe them.
Some of the statements in this presentation may contain or be based on forward looking statements, forecasts, estimates, projections, targets, or prognosis (“forward looking statements”), which reflect the manager’s current view of future events, economic developments and financial performance. Such forward looking statements are typically indicated by the use of words which express an estimate, expectation, belief, target or forecast. Such forward looking statements are based on an assessment of historical economic data, on the experience and current plans of the investment manager and/or certain advisors of the manager, and on the indicated sources. These forward looking statements contain no representation or warranty of whatever kind that such future events will occur or that they will occur as described herein, or that such results will be achieved by the fund or the investments of the fund, as the occurrence of these events and the results of the fund are subject to various risks and uncertainties. The actual portfolio, and thus results, of the fund may differ substantially from those assumed in the forward looking statements. The manager and its affiliates will not undertake to update or review the forward looking statements contained in this presentation, whether as result of new information or any future event or otherwise.
Pixabay CC0 Public Domain. Allfunds refuerza su presencia en Norteamérica gracias a un acuerdo con Interactive Brokers
Allfunds, the world’s leading B2B wealthtech and fund distribution platform, has strengthened its reach within the US market by entering into an agreement with Interactive Brokers LLC, a leading global securities broker and custodian with over 348 billion dollars in clients assets, as of June 2021.
The firm has explained in a press release that the agreement will help Interactive Brokers offer mutual funds to RIAs, broker-dealers and self-directed investors. This is facilitated through Interactive Brokers’ Mutual Fund Marketplace which gives clients access to more than 40,000 funds worldwide, including 37,000 no-load funds from over 400 fund families.
The Mutual Fund Search Tool can be used to search for funds by country of residence, commission charged, fund type or fund family. It can be accessed by clients from over 200 countries and territories and includes many prominent fund families, including funds from Amundi, BlackRock, Franklin Templeton, Invesco, Lombard Odier, MFS Meridian, PIMCO and Schroder. In addition, over 7,700 funds are available with no transaction fees. Also, included within the platform is the ability to view suitable share-classes for RIAs and institutional investors.
Allfunds is in the process of building a pool of eligible funds to facilitate access of Offshore UCITS funds in Canada under the relevant local exemptions regime. “This will open the opportunity to fund managers to sell their products in an efficient and cost-effective manner to certain client types”, has pointed out the firm.
In its view, this agreement strengthens its “already sizeable reach” in the USA offshore market. In 2020 Allfunds opened its representative office in Miami to focus on the offshore market mainly composed of private banks, as well as, broker dealers, wirehouses and self-clearing firms. Allfunds is a global leader in open end fund offerings with clients in 60 countries and over 1.5 trillion dollars in assets under distribution.
“We are thrilled to continue to work with Interactive Brokers, a true leader in the electronic broker space. We have seen great success over the last several months working together and we look forward to seeing additional flows from Canadian and US investors into the platform. At Allfunds we are committed to transparent, efficient and cost-effective access to funds and this agreement with Interactive Brokers helps reinforce these values in the North American market”, has stated Laura Gonzalez, Global Head of Wealth Management at Allfunds.
Foto cedidaJoseph A. Sullivan como nuevo CEO de Allspring Global Investments (anterior Wells Fargo AM).. Wells Fargo AM pasa a llamarse Allspring Global Investments bajo el liderazgo de Joseph A. Sullivan como nuevo CEO
Private equity firms GTCR LLC and Reverence Capital Partners, L.P. have announced that upon closing of their acquisition of Wells Fargo Asset Management,announced last February, the newly independent company will be rebranded as Allspring Global Investments. As part of the transition, Joseph A. Sullivan will become Chief Executive Officer, in addition to his previously announced role as Executive Chairman.
Sullivan will succeedNico Marais, WFAM’s current CEO, who will retire upon closing of the transaction and continue to serve Allspring as a senior advisor. With this new name, the asset manager seeks to reflect its “rich history” in investment leadership and its commitment to renewal, growth, and meaningful client outcomes as a newly independent firm.
“I am honored and energized to have the opportunity to lead Allspring, as we enter a new era for the firm. In spending time with Nico and the organization over the past few months, I have been incredibly impressed by the depth of investment expertise and quality of our people and leadership. Our new name truly embodies a renewed corporate culture and commitment to continue to invest thoughtfully and partner with our clients to navigate the future”, said Sullivan.
Collin Roche, Managing Director of GTCR, highlighted that these announcements mark “key milestones” in the transformation of WFAM intoa focused, independent, global asset management firm serving private wealth and institutional clients around the world. “We are excited about the possibilities of our new name and that Joe Sullivan will become Allspring’s CEO. He is recognized as one of the asset management industry’s most respected leaders, and he will be exceptionally valuable as we execute on our growth strategy. We would like to thank Nico Marais for his strong leadership of WFAM, and we are pleased that he will continue to serve as a senior advisor”, he added.
Meanwhile, Marais commented that his is “a tremendously exciting time” for the company, and as they make this transition, he believes it is the right time for him “personally and professionally” to step down from active leadership and assume a new advisory role: “I have cherished my time as CEO of WFAM and am very appreciative of the passion and professionalism of our people. We have accomplished a great deal, including the transition to independent ownership. I look forward to working with Joe and the team, and I am confident about what the future holds for the organization”.
Lastly, Milton Berlinski, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Reverence Capital, noted: “Today’s leadership and name announcements give us even stronger conviction that the partnership between WFAM, GTCR and Reverence puts us in a powerful position to execute on our strategic vision for Allspring. We are pleased to have a leader of Joe’s stature to take us forward as a newly independent company, and we are very grateful to Nico for his strong continued partnership during this time.”
