Richard Quin
Bentham Asset Management, a leading specialist global fixed interest and credit investment manager, is opening up its market leading Bentham Global Opportunities Fund to retail investors and financial advisers.
The Fund, which was previously available only to wholesale investors, now has a new Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) which offers a minimum investment of $10,000, making it an attractive entry point not only for financial advisers but also for Self Managed Super Fund (SMSF) investors and retirees seeking a reliable income stream.
The Fund, launched over six years ago, today manages over $500 million in Funds under Management and has posted an impressive track record with positive 1yr, 2yr, 3yr & 5yr returns in volatile markets impacted by rising rates and widening credit spreads.
The actively managed Fund offers investors access to a diversified, multi-sector global portfolio of credit securities that would otherwise be difficult for investors to secure. This includes, but is not limited to global high yield bonds, global syndicated loans, investment grade securities, global capital securities, asset backed securities and derivatives.
Richard Quin, Bentham’s Principal and Chief Investment Officer, says: “The Fund has found a receptive audience in the institutional markets since it was launched. Today, due to increased demand for this strategy, we are very pleased to provide a wider range of investors the opportunity to access the Fund.”
“We expect investment returns from credit in 2023 to remain bumpy but the potential returns over the medium term remain attractive, with credit spreads trading above historical averages. With rates normalising and credit spreads at current levels, returns from fixed income and credit look attractive relative to many other asset classes, including listed equity markets,” Quin adds.
Quin says that Bentham’s goal is to deliver higher income to investors than can generally be achieved in traditional fixed interest markets or term deposits with lower volatility than equity markets.
“Our investment philosophy is based on a strong credit culture and a systematic investment process, with a focus on the preservation of principal and protection against downside risk.”
“We have rigorous investment approach where our experienced investment team seeks to add value through economic cycles by identifying the most attractive relative value investment ideas on a risk adjusted basis combined with an opportunistic overlay. This is achieved by combining top-down macro and bottom-up fundamental analysis,” notes Quin.