The MyFolio multi-manager Sicav funds are a group of risk-based portfolios that offer investors a choice of investment strategies across five risk levels. They are now registered in Germany and Luxembourg.
First launched in the UK in October, 2010 as an Oeic, the MyFolio suite has become one of Standard Life Investments’ top selling fund ranges, reaching £10bn ($12.2bn, €11.4bn) in assets under management by November 2016.
Global scope
SLI said in a statement on Monday the suite of funds proved successful in helping advisers and clients respond to the changing market and regulatory environment in the UK and, with the prospect of similar regulatory change in Europe, it was hoped the portfolio range would provide simple and easy access for investors to a global, diversified investment portfolio.
“In the current low growth, low return environment, it is the right time to launch the multi-manager range in Germany, so that investors can benefit from active management and diversification across 16 different asset classes,” said James Millard, investment director, fund solutions, at SLI.
“The whole of market fund selection is also a rare opportunity for investors to access global investment talent in one simple solution,” he added.
Multi manager
MyFolio is managed by a 12-strong fund solutions team based in London. Lead managers for the multi-manager Sicav portfolios are fund manager Joe Wiggins, and investment director James Millard.
The investment process includes strategic and tactical asset allocation, fund research and selection from a global universe of leading investment managers across the asset class spectrum along with regular rebalancing.
Frank Richter, head of sales for Germany at Standard Life Investments, said; “We’ve been active in Germany for over a decade and we are now seeing increased demand from the retail market; advisors, their clients and also retail banks for a cost effective, risk targeted solution that meets a variety of investment objectives.
“The multi-manager Sicav is an innovative solution that allows financial advisers to focus on client relationships and provides access to the best available funds from leading asset managers across the globe while monitoring and managing the chosen risk level on an ongoing basis.”
Bambos Hambi, the head of fund of funds management at Standard Life Investments recently told our sister publication Portfolio Adviser that in the UK the MyFolio range had completely sold out of government bonds, excluding absolute return bond funds and inflation-linked holdings.