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Global Investor/ISF award winners 2012
04 July 2012
A full report on the winning and highly commended firms in the Global Investor/ISF Investment Excellence Awards
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awards
Asia Pacific fixed income manager: Stratton Street
Stratton Street’s Renminbi Bond Fund more than doubled its AuM between March 2011 and March 2012, reaching $128m. The fund returned more than 14% during that period and return since launch for the sterling class has been 58%. For UK investors allocating to the Singapore dollar class, returns have been 125% in sterling terms. Stratton Street’s investment philosophy does not involve following indexes, instead using sound credit analysis to invest only in the most creditworthy countries.
Highly commended: Aberdeen Asset Management’s Asian local currency short-duration bond fund has raised $900m globally in 12 months, bringing Asian fixed AuM to $6.5bn.
MENA equities manager: Jadwa Investment
Jadwa’s achievements over the past year include being awarded the investment management quality of MQ2 by Moody’s Investors Service, the second highest ranking used to rank asset managers. The firm has grown its business steadily in spite of challenging times in financial markets. Jadwa’s flagship mutual funds have consistently outperformed their benchmarks, where the Jadwa Saudi Equity Fund has had the most success with year-to-date return of 24.25% as of March, outperforming the S&P Saudi Shariah Index which had a 23.14% return.
Highly commended: Emirates NBD Asset Management’s Emirates MENA Top Companies Fund outperformed its benchmark by 4.78% in 2011 and returned 9.17% year to date as of April 13.
MENA sukuk manager: Emirates NBD Asset Management
Emirates has picked up this award for its global sukuk fund, a daily-traded Shari’a compliant open-ended fund which invests in a diversified portfolio of sukuk. The fund aims to achieve high income as well as capital growth. The Emirates Global Sukuk Fund outperformed its benchmark by 2.18% in 2011 to return 5.03%, and has returned 2.96% YTD 2012(NAV date 13.04.2012), an outperformance of 2.09%. The fund paid a dividend of 4.4% paid in 2011 (paid semi-annually on the income share class).
Highly commended: The Emirates Global Sukuk Fund run by National Bank of Abu Dhabi, Asset Management Group, had a strong performance over the past year with 2.89% year to date return as of the end of March.
Offshore centre of the year: Jersey Finance
Jersey’s finance industry held steady in 2011 against a backdrop of global economic uncertainty. Total value of funds under administration rose by 2.5%, the number of regulated funds grew 5.1%, while unregulated funds increased 25%. Achievements in 2012 include the launch of a private placement regime to widen the choice for fund promoters seeking a swift approval process for certain specialist funds. Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank and State Street attained banking licences in Jersey, and 18 financial firms set up operations on the island, many of them hedge funds.
Highly commended: Business Bermuda has improved operating conditions for hedge funds, worked closely with jurisdictions in MENA and Asia to develop new Islamic finance products that be traded across borders.
Legal firm: Linklaters
For the second year running, Linklaters has been voted top law firm by the Global Investor/ISF judging panel. The firm has advised on significant deals in more than 100 countries including complex transactions with Glencore, Royal Bank of Scotland and E.ON. Linklaters advised on eight of Trade Finance magazine’s Emea Deals of the Year 2011, more than any other firm. It has also focused on developing relationships in key emerging markets which has enabled it to advise on some large cross-border deals.
Highly commended: K&L Gates has increased revenue for its investment management practice by 8% in 2012.