The fund, comprising of actively managed portfolio of global emerging market shares, will be managed by London-based active equity investment firm J O Hambro Capital Management (JOHCM) which was acquired by BTIM in October last year.
“The fund’s aim is to access the growth profile in emerging markets but it’s particularly interesting this time when there is such a lack of growth in the developed world so worldwide, investors are continuing to look for growth and emerging markets is one area where the opportunity is still present,” JOHCM fund manager Paul Wimborne told InvestorDaily.
“Emerging market economies are having a larger impact on the global economy and stock markets than in the past. Over the next 30 years, both China and India are expected to become some of the largest economies in the world.”
The BT Global Emerging Markets Opportunities Fund aimed to provide a return – before fees, costs and taxes – that exceeded the MSCI Emerging Markets Standard Index (Net Dividends) in Australian dollars over the long term.
Mr Wimborne said the fund will appeal to investors seeking growth opportunities and those willing to take on a little risk for diversification into other themes around the world.
“In the United Kingdom, investors have definitely warmed up to emerging markets over the last few years, as opposed to the 90s where it was considered quite a risky, niche area.
“As emerging markets have shown that they have a very strong growth profile over the last few years and also tend to have better balance sheets at the government, corporate and consumer level than the developed world, Australians will start to recognise the opportunity.”
BTIM has over $46 billion in funds under management.
