Strong performance drives SVM Global Opportunities Fund

SVM Global Opportunities Fund has passed £50 million of assets in less than 18 months as a result of strong investment performance. Since launch (15 May 2006) the Fund has returned 25.1% compared to a return of 17.8% for the FTSE World index and an average of 14.7% for the IMA Global Growth sector. Performance has been boosted by the Funds’ exposure to emerging markets, particularly Russia and China and has also benefited from low exposure to the US.

The Fund has been awarded an AA rating by Standard & Poor’s based on the out performance since launch and strength of the multi strategy fund of funds approach. The rating also recognises the managers’ sixteen year track record with SVM Global Fund, a closed-end fund that has produced an annualised NAV total return of 16.2% since launch in 1991 compared to 9.6% for the FTSE World index. S&P praised the team’s experience, disciplined and detailed industry knowledge. The managers employ a similar investment approach to SVM Global Opportunities.

The Fund, managed by Colin McLean and Donald Robertson, invests in specialist funds, including hedge funds and private equity funds. The managers are completely unconstrained by any benchmark which allows them to invest in interesting areas which may be ignored by other managers, for example Chinese real estate, private equity in the Balkans and Vietnam.

Colin McLean, Co Fund Manager, SVM Global Opportunities Fund and Managing Director, SVM Asset Management, says: “The Fund has a significant proportion of its assets invested in hedge funds, property and private equity and this multi-strategy stance paid off well over the turbulent summer months with the Fund displaying much less volatility than markets as a whole. “

“The Fund is defensively positioned, mixing funds with a relative performance focus with those which derive returns with less or no exposure on equity markets. The diversification that SVM Global Opportunities offers may be of particular interest to investors in the current climate as they understandably remain nervous following recent market volatility.”

Donald Robertson, co fund manager of the SVM Global Opportunities Fund will be speaking at the Unique Boutiques conferences in January and February 2008, where he will talk about his views on markets and on the substantial benefits of working in a boutique structure. For more information please visit uniqueboutiques.co.uk.