This is the first Ucits format multi-manager fund offering daily liquidity to investors that GSAM has launched.
The new fund seeks to provide investors with diversification to traditional asset classes through a range of complementary liquid alternative strategies which will include exposure to equity long-short, event-driven and credit, relative value and tactical-trading strategies.
The fund is a sub-fund of the Ucits-qualifying, Luxembourg-domiciled, Goldman Sachs Funds Sicav.
It forms part of a range of liquid alternative Ucits funds launched by GSAM in Europe over the past 18 months. The range ncludes the GS Global Strategic Macro Bond Portfolio, launched October 2014, and the GS Global Absolute Return Portfolio, which was launched August this year.
“Individual investors are increasingly seeking access to alternative investments to help diversify returns and reduce risk in their portfolios. The fund includes some of the industry’s leading alternative managers who have been identified for their strength and expertise,” said Nick Phillips, head of international third party distribution for GSAM.
The launch is also part of a growing trend among major asset managers to focus on the alternatives space to provide retail investors with greater diversification and the ability to tap into institutional-style investment products.
Broad management
The new multi-manager fund will be managed by GSAM’s Alternative Investments & Manager Selection (AIMS) Group which has a staff of over 325 professionals across 9 offices around the world.
AIMS manages over $180bn (£120.5bn, €166bn) of client assets for some of the world’s leading sovereign wealth funds, pension plans, governments, financial institutions, endowments, foundations and family offices.
“We believe today’s markets require diversifying sources of return that can help provide a smoother investment experience over various market cycles, helping to bring investors closer to their long term goals,” said Robert Mullane, one of the fund’s portfolio managers.
“We believe our alternatives expertise, combined with GSAM’s history in managing Ucits-compliant funds, will provide a differentiated solution for our investors,” he said.
Goldman Sachs Asset Management is the asset management arm of The Goldman Sachs Group, which oversees $1.19trn as of September 30, 2015.