Russell gives retail investors a piece of the action

In an offer that is the first of its kind, Russell Investment Group is providing Australian individual investors access to a standalone version of its Select Holdings strategy, which features $100 million of the funds’ limited capacity.

The newly launched Russell Australian Select Holdings Fund is intended to give smaller investors a gateway to the local stock picks of Australian specialist equity managers.

The Select Holdings concept was launched in Australia in April to enhance the performance potential of Russell’s flagship multi-manager Australian equities fund, the Russell Australian Shares Fund (RASF).

Select Holdings is designed to create additional alpha by leveraging the best stock selection ideas of the seven individual fund managers who manage money for RASF.

The new fund provides exposure to the managers’ best ideas by investing in the stocks that are most commonly over-weighted by the RASF managers.

Russell chief investment officer for Asia Pacific Peter Gunning said the Select Holdings strategy was performing well globally, and that the new Australian standalone fund was an exciting opportunity for local investors.

“The RASF deliberately blends a diverse group of active fund managers who are chosen for their strong stock selection ability across a range of investment processes,” he explained.

“The benefit for investors in Russell Australian Select Holdings Fund is the strategy takes the most confident stock calls from each manager, providing a concentrated exposure to our managers’ collective best ideas.”