Zurich ‘re-blends’ manager line-up
Zurich Financial Services Australia(ZFSA) has replaced a number of investment managers in the Zurich Blended Series following an extensive review of incumbent managers byvan Eyk Research.
Following the review the group has moved to replaceMaple-Brown Abbott,Colonial First State,ABN Amro, NCI Capital,State Street, andBT, as well as one of Zurich’s own funds.
The new line-up will seeAllianz Dresdner Asset Management, Alpha Investment Management, Capital International,Deutsche Asset Management,GMO AustraliaandMacquarie Investment Managementjoin the list.
Managers that were left unchanged includeSchroder Investment Management Australia, Wellington Management and Zurich Investment Management.
After taking over fromTowers Perrinas a consultant on the investments, van Eyk recommended a selection of investment managers for the funds that are rated A or AA — the highest van Eyk ratings available.
ZFSA investments director Matthew Drennan says the blended range is part of Zurich’s strategy to establish investment partnerships rather than to become a specialist manager.
He also says the products allow advisers to provide their clients with a combination of wholesale investment managers not normally available to retail investors.
The new blends are available on Zurich’s i.super_invest master fund, and will also be accessible through Zurich’s superannuation plan, allocated pension and wholesale superannuation range from early 2004.
The funds offered within the Zurich Blended Series are the managed stable, balanced, managed growth, priority growth, Australian shares and international shares funds.
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