Benedikt, Nicolas and Amit are senior research analysts; each with more than 10 years of experience in asset management. They join Stéphane Jeannin and Brad Colton as Analysts on the team, significantly enhancing the depth and experience of Threadneedle’s US equities capability.

With the addition of the new Analysts the US Equities team now has full coverage across all sectors. Benedikt and Nicolas join from Columbia Management, which along with Threadneedle, comprise the global asset management business of Ameriprise Financial. Nicolas Janvier will maintain his analytical duties and responsibilities with Columbia Management’s New York-based value team. Amit Kumar joins from Artham Capital Partners.

In addition, Richard Adams, who was previously an analytics manager in the Reporting and Information Services team at Threadneedle, joins the US Equities team as Client Portfolio Manager. The appointments follow that of US Fund Manager Nadia Grant earlier this year, joining existing fund managers Neil Robson and Ashish Kochar, and bringing Threadneedle’s US Equities team to a total of ten.

Mark Burgess, Chief Investment Officer at Threadneedle said: “I am very pleased about the swift progress we have made in enhancing our London-based US Equities team, while at the same time increasing our collaboration with Columbia Management’s US Equities team. This brings our clients the benefit of a fully resourced team that leverages the significant capabilities, intellectual capital and strength of both organisations. I am confident that with their significant expertise in this asset class, our US Equities team will continue to deliver for our clients globally.”

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¹ as at end of March 2014

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Neil Robson, Threadneedle Global Equity Fund Manager said:

“Trends show that the Australian investor is currently sticking with investments onshore, and predominantly in cash. Threadneedle is of the view that investors re-balancing portfolios must take a considered look at the risk of ignoring offshore investment opportunity. We certainly believe Australians should be looking at global investment opportunities in this light.”
 
Threadneedle’s Robson  remains positive for the outlook on global equity markets.

• Firstly,  from a technical perspective markets appear to be oversold. Various signals from AAII bull bear investor sentiment readings to surveys of institutional cash levels suggest that we are nearing the end of this sell off. 
• Secondly, the relative value of equities to bonds is extreme – witness the growing popularity of income funds.
• Thirdly, on the macro front while US economic data is no longer surprising positively we have a steady economic recovery in place with the need to tighten fiscally delayed till post-election.

“In China 8.1% may be slower but policy is being eased and we believe that the authorities remain in control of the situation. It is also worth noting that companies continue to thrive in this environment. Early indications of the Q1 reporting season suggest that all is well in the corporate world and we can see more cashflows being returned to shareholders in the form of increased dividends and share buy backs.
 
And in Europe?
 
“New capital will need to be raised in Spain, but the Long Term Refinancing Operation (LTRO) has reduced the funding risk and the threat of systemic issues. We have moved on from last autumn – the world is far from perfect, but the infections are being isolated. Look at the year to date returns in European markets, Spain is down -16% but Germany is up 15% and Italy is the only other market except for Spain which is in negative territory.”

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