S&P Fund Services assigns rating to the Add Value Fund

Standard Poor's Fund Services announced that it has assigned an AA fund management rating to the Add Value Fund.

Launched in February 2007, this Dutch equities fund is managed by Willem Burgers and Hilco Wiersma of Keijser Capital Asset Management (KCAM), a wholly owned subsidiary of Keijser Capital, who make the majority of decisions jointly.  Karel Vogel is responsible for the compliance and risk management of the fund.

The approach is very much stock specific with the managers looking at an effective universe of 40 names and generally aiming to select the best stock within each of the represented industries. The portfolio, therefore, has an element of diversification, although with between 10 and 25 small- and mid-cap stocks and weightings of currently up to 11.6%, this is not a low risk fund.

The managers focus on companies with proven management teams and a niche or market leading position. A clear non-consensus view is sought based on a good understanding of business strategy based on significant company contact.

"Performance since launch has been strong against small- and mid-cap indices as well as our mainstream Dutch equities peer group. The high level of Dutch market experience of the managers, their focus on this product and the success seen so far, results in an S&P fund management AA rating," said Simon Dorricott, lead analyst, S&P Fund Services.

"This S&P AA rating is an important achievement considering the relatively short time the fund has been operating and a sound indication that we are on the right track," according to fund managers Hilco Wiersma and Willem Burgers.