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The Sarasin GCC Equity Opportunities Fund (USD) aims to achieve long term capital growth by investing in the equity markets of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, Qatar, Oman and Bahrain. The fund offers excellent diversification - by country and by company - ensuring that strong performers are not missed and an "overlay" that reduces market exposure and hence downside risk during periods of weakness. As a result, rather than being fully invested at all times, the process allows exposure to be increased when the market is trending upwards and reduced when it is trending downwards. It is therefore well suited to clients who recognize the opportunities of investing in the region yet remain alert to the risks.
"The GCC is a region full of opportunities and it is with this mind that we chose to launch the SARASIN GCC EQUITY OPPORTUNITIES FUND (USD). It has an established award winning investment process, developed not just to cope with but to prosper from the unique characteristics of the region."
says Rohit Walia, Executive Vice Chairman & CEO, Bank Sarasin-Alpen (ME) Limited
"These are extraordinary times but extraordinary times create extraordinary opportunities." says Paul Cooper, Senior Executive Officer, Sarasin-Alpen & Partners Limited. "The GCC equity market is almost 70% off its 2006 peak, losing 57% in 2008 alone, despite an excellent economic performance over the period. While a slowdown in 2009 is inevitable, it appears to be more than fully discounted in equity markets. When the dust finally settles on the global financial crisis, I believe that investors will look at the challenges facing the global economy and increasingly appreciate the strengths of the region."
"We are delighted to launch the new SARASIN GCC EQUITY OPPORTUNITIES FUND addressing investors interested in the GCC region. In line with Bank Sarasin's point of view on a global scale, the fund is the perfect translation of our conclusions for the GCC region. Always aiming to provide the best services to the bank's selected, experienced and demanding clients, the new product is launched at exactly the right moment." adds Burkhard P. Varnholt, Chief Investment Officer of the Sarasin Group, Switzerland
By global standards, the region's equity markets are highly volatile with low correlation; characteristics which often prove difficult for investment professionals to handle. However, such characteristics are incorporated seamlessly into this fund. Indeed, the investment process of the SARASIN GCC EQUITY OPPORTUNITIES FUND (USD) has been designed specifically for the region.
Although the fund is new, elements of its investment process have been used in Sarasin Funds for more than twelve years, contributing positively to its reputation for product innovation in the process. By measuring the historical performance of our approach it has been possible to produce a simulated back-test track record. Over more than seven years, ending December 31, 2008, the back-tested portfolio has returned 28% per annum in US dollars.
Posted by Rima Ali Al Mashni
