Fund Times: October 18-22
Schroders appoints Fixed Income CIO, Jupiter to launch global emerging markets fund, RBC Wealth to buy BlueBay Asset Management.
It was reported this week that Schroders has appointed Phillippe Lespinard as CIO of Fixed Income, reporting to Head of Fixed Income Karl Dasher. In 2008 former CIO Bob Michele left for J.P. Morgan along with some colleagues. In mid 2010 Nick Gartside, Schroders’ Head of Global Bonds, also left for J.P. Morgan. Bob Michele had significant influence on the top-down strategies employed across Schroders’ bond fund range. After he left, Karl Dasher gave individual portfolio managers more freedom to implement their own views. Morningstar covers several of Schroders’ bond funds and our analysts will look to meet with Phillippe Lespinard to discuss his plans for Schroders’ fund range.
Jupiter to Launch Global Emerging Markets Fund
Jupiter plans to launch a global emerging markets fund in November 2010 for Kathryn Langridge. The fund will invest in companies listed in emerging markets, but will also hold companies in developed markets which have exposure to the emerging world – a strategy that is not unsual in the emerging market peer group. Langridge has significant relevant experience. She joined Jupiter in September having spent three years at Lloyd George Management, but also spent 17 years at Invesco Perpetual in a range of roles, including Head of Asian Investments, and Head of International Equity Products.
RBC Wealth to Buy BlueBay Asset Management
Royal Bank of Canada Wealth Management is set to acquire BlueBay Asset Management, according to reports this week. OBSR, a Morningstar company, has an A Rating on the BlueBay Investment Grade Bond fund and a AAA Rating on the BlueBay High Yield Bond fund. Our analysts haven’t identified any initial cause for concern with the transaction, but we continue to monitor the situation and have requested additional information from BlueBay.