Winterthur Fidelity and Schroder Global Property Funds launched

Global Property funds have demonstrated their strength as an asset class relative to other asset classes. The two new funds will be available through Winterthur Life's Tailored Selection on both individual and group pension policies and life products.

Winterthur Life UK announces the launch of the Winterthur Fidelity Global Property fund and the Winterthur Schroder Global Property Securities fund to complement the life and pension fund selection within its Tailored Selection range.

Winterthur Fidelity Global Property Fund:

Invests in liquid property securities rather than illiquid physical property assets

Contains a relatively concentrated portfolio of 50-70 holdings, whilst still allowing the underlying companies to invest in a wide range of properties

Investor returns are made through a combination of dividend yield and capital growth

The Fund has an annual management charge of 1.30% and fund expenses of 0.25%.

Winterthur Schroder Global Property Securities Fund:

Offers the opportunity to allocate property on a global basis, capitalising on the expansion of the global property securities market

Invests in a diverse range of property opportunities including houses, hotels, offices, leisure and retail complexes

Is part of a 'best ideas portfolio' investing in the shares of Real Estate Investment Trusts and listed property companies

Managed with a total return focus, the Fund's composition is not dictated by a benchmark, therefore the fund manager is able to invest in the most attractive stocks

The Fund has an annual management charge of 1.20% and fund expenses of 0.30%.

Bernard Henshall, investment distribution manager, Winterthur Life comments, "Global property securities funds are a relatively new option for life and pension investors, but one which has seen an increasing demand from advisers. The Winterthur Fidelity Global Property fund and the Winterthur Schroder Global Property Securities fund have been added to meet this demand. These funds provide advisers with an opportunity to invest in a well constructed, diversified and actively managed portfolio of global property securities. They enable advisers to construct balanced life and pension portfolios for their clients using our Tailored Selection range of funds."

Steven Buller, Fidelity Global Property Fund Manager, said, "We are pleased that Winterthur has decided to add our Global Property fund to its Tailored Selection range of investment funds and we look forward to working closely together in the future."

Andrew Cox, Product Manager for the Schroder Global Property Securities Fund, commented, "We are delighted to work with Winterthur and believe their strength in the pensions and investments arena fits closely with our own overriding objective – to deliver the best possible investment returns to investors."