PSigma launches Balanced Managed fund of funds

PSigma Investment Management (PIM) is set to launch a Balanced Managed fund of funds.

The NURS fund is to be a unitised version of PIM’s current multi-asset fund of funds service, Wealth Management Solutions (WMS) and is to be managed by Tom Becket.

WMS was launched over five years ago with quantitative support from PSigma’s sister company PSolve, the specialist investment consultancy within the Punter Southall Group.

It utilises a multi-asset strategy, blending forms within asset classes and combining long-term strategic and short-term tactical asset allocations.

The flexible asset allocations have been modified greatly over time as they have shifted positions in anticipation of changing market positions, says PIM.

John Howard-Smith, managing director of PIM, says the company has a long track record in managing multi-asset portfolios. He recognises clients do not simply want to outperform inappropriate benchmarks, but achieve ‘real’ rates of return.

Since its launch in March 2003, WMS Creation has delivered returns of 61.8% to the end of June 2008, he says.

Howard Smith says: “Effectively, WMS has been able to deliver equity style returns with far less volatility and risk. In particular we have been delighted with how well the strategy has performed in recent difficult markets.”

Howard-Smith expects the new Balanced Managed fund of funds will prove timely and popular in the volatile markets.

“Investors will hopefully recognise our ability to deliver ‘real’ rates of return and that the old fashioned traditional split between property, equity and fixed interest offered by the majority of our peers is out-dated.”