BlackRock BSF Global Absolute Return Bond Fund

BlackRock has launched the BSF Global Absolute Return Bond Fund, within its Luxembourg SICAV range, in response to growing investor demand to add value in an environment of low interest rates and increased volatility across many areas of fixed income investments. This follows the successful launch of their UK unit trust, BlackRock Absolute Return Bond Fund, in September 2011.

The BSF Global Absolute Return Bond Fund will be managed by Ian Winship, Head of BlackRock's Sterling Fundamental Fixed Income team with over 20 years' experience managing fixed income assets.  The fund sources returns from a wide range of BlackRock strategies, encompassing the very best ideas, experience, insight and research of BlackRock's 430 fixed income experts globally.

Aiming to provide investors with a proactive strategy in a volatile environment, the fund offers a unique and flexible investment approach that combines fundamental insights and quantitative rigour.  Through leveraging the firm's risk management expertise and the investment technology offered by BlackRock Solutions, Mr Winship will utilise BlackRock's global expertise to source "best ideas" across all fixed income market sectors - including global rates, emerging markets, investment grade credit, and high yield credit, among others.  The fund will maintain the flexibility to access all capabilities across the entire BlackRock platform, including using derivative enabled strategies where appropriate.

The fund is not managed in reference to a fixed income index, but targets positive performance above Euribor in both rising and falling yield environments.

Alex Hoctor-Duncan, Head of BlackRock's EMEA Retail Business, commented, "Investors are demanding more from fixed income managers at a time when finding value in global fixed income markets is becoming more difficult. The BSF Global Absolute Return Bond Fund has been built for these times, and aims to move investors away from traditional ways of fixed income investing in order to help them achieve their investment objectives in the longer term."

Ian Winship, Portfolio Manager, commented, "The BSF Global Absolute Return Bond Fund is an ideal fund for investors looking for value and diversification in any market environment.  The fund aims to provide highly diversified sources of return and lower correlation by leveraging the best ideas of BlackRock's fixed income teams, across the entire spectrum of fixed income markets. The breadth of strategies available and the strength of the firm's risk analytics and systems puts us in a unique position to deliver potential for absolute returns to our clients in less predictable economic and market conditions."