Investec targets low vol with global equity fund launch

Investec Asset Management has launched a new global equity strategy that aims to mitigate absolute volatility.

The offshore Investec GSF Global Endurance fund will be managed by Christine Baalham and Nigel Hankin using the firm’s 4Factor Investment process.

The managers will initially establish a universe of global stocks with above median yields while excluding those stocks in the top quartile in terms of volatility.

The fund will then apply the 4Factor process to analyse and select stocks from within this universe.

Baalham said: 'The attraction of investing in equities is the prospect of long-term investment returns, however the downside is the volatility associated with achieving these returns.

'The question therefore becomes whether it is possible to deliver excess market returns, but with lower absolute volatility?

‘We believe the answer to this is yes, by focusing on an investment universe that takes into account both a company’s dividend yield and volatility.’