The Schroder GAIA US Equity Fund, which will invest primarily in US mid and large-cap companies, is scheduled to be launched next month. It is the third externally managed fund to be launched by the firm.
Eric Bertrand, sirector of Schroder GAIA said: “We are currently seeing strong demand for products in the US long/short space, with this strategy currently ranked first for projected net inflows in 2013. Despite this clear client demand, products of this type are in short supply, with only 10% of those currently available focusing on the US. Schroder GAIA Sirios US Equity provides an opportunity to extend availability of this exciting and compelling strategy to a wider audience.”
The GAIA platform has accumulated assets under management of $1.53bn since its inception in November 2009, and was designed to give investors easier access to Ucits structured hedge funds. There are currently five funds operating from the platform, two of which are managed internally.
The fund will invest primarily in growth-oriented companies, and offers opportunistic exposure to assets in Asia and Europe, and to fixed income. The management team is headed by John Brennan, co-founder and managing director of Sirios.
He said: “Having successfully managed this strategy for a number of years for a largely US client base, we are excited by the prospect of extending this offering to a wider audience in the Ucits space. We are currently seeing significant opportunities in US equity long/short strategies and look forward to contributing to the diversification of Schroder GAIA’s offering.”
