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Reuters – The fund management arm of Swedish banking group SEB is planning to launch a global credit hedge fund in the autumn to take advantage of mis-pricing opportunities in the credit markets.

Peter Branner, global head of investment management at SEB, said the fund would use leverage and take long and short positions in the investment grade and high yield credit markets where the turbulence of the financial crisis has thrown up undervalued and overvalued assets.

SEB will target institutional and private banking clients for the fund, he told Reuters at the Fund Forum industry conference.

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Tags: assets, autumn, banking-group, credit markets, financial crisis, fund forum, fund management, global-credit, global-head, group seb, hedge fund, investment-management, leverage, management arm, private-banking, reuters, turbulence

West Palm Beach (HedgeCo.net) – Fidelity International is launching the Fidelity Wealth Builder Fund through it’s Indian asset management arm, the new fund is an open ended fund of funds scheme offering asset allocation options with three plans.

The investment objective of the fund is to seek to generate reasonable returns based on the plan selected with minimum and maximum asset allocation between debt and equity. The fund manager will use a two-tier investment approach – asset allocation and fund selection – to invest in Fidelity’s funds. The NFO will be open from January 14 to February 5, 2009. The Fund will open for ongoing purchases and redemptions from March 2, 2009

“Asset allocation decisions can drive as much as 91.5% of investment returns variability, as studies have shown." Ashu Suyash, Managing Director and Country Head – India, Fidelity International, said, "In the current market conditions of heightened volatility, a fund like the Fidelity Wealth Builder Fund provides investors a convenient route to benefit from disciplined asset allocation. We are in an environment where attractive returns are likely in the bond market and there is potential for bear-market rallies in equities on the back of increasingly attractive valuations.”

Ms. Suyash added, “To encourage investors who have turned risk averse, the Fidelity Wealth Builder Fund is a fund with no entry load. Whether investors invest through their advisers or directly, they will not be charged an entry load. Moreover, the Fund also offers investors free switch-in and switch-out facility between the Plans, if, over time, investors’ outlook for debt and equity changes.”

The Fund will offer Growth and Dividend options. A dividend is proposed to be declared, subject to availability of distributable surplus, on a Quarterly basis under Plan A and Plan B. Under Plan C, the dividend may be declared by the Trustee, at its discretion, from time to time subject to the availability of distributable surplus.

The minimum initial investment is Rs.5000.($100K )Investors can invest in the Fidelity Wealth Builder Fund even through the SIP route with a minimum amount of Rs. 500 per installment with the total of all installments not being less than Rs.5000. In addition, the systematic transfer and systematic withdrawal plans are also available.

FIL Fund Management Private Limited is the Indian arm of Fidelity International, one of the world’s leading global investment management companies with operations in 23 countries and more than $197.9 billion in assets under management.

Tags: asset allocation decisions, attractive returns, attractive valuations, bear market, bond-market, fidelity international, free switch, fund selection, investment approach, investment-objective, investment-returns, management arm, palm-beach, quarterly basis, redemptions, time subject, time-investors, wealth builder

West Palm Beach (HedgeCo.net) - Hedge fund manager, Aberdeen Asset Management PLC, has entered into an agreement with Credit Suisse to acquire their £40 billion ($58 billion) long-only asset management arm, making Aberdeen the the UK’s largest listed fund manager.

Credit Suisse sold the fund arm for approximately 240 million shares in Aberdeen, valued at £250 million ($363 million). The closing of the deal is to take place on 30 June 2009,  subject to shareholder and regulatory approval.

Aberdeen’s largest hedge fund shareholder, Martin Hughes, Chief Executive of Toscafund, said, “Toscafund has already confirmed its support for this transformational acquisition, which has been made possible by the excellent operating platform offered by Aberdeen. Toscafund believes that the transaction is of clear benefit to the clients and shareholders of Aberdeen Asset Management and Credit Suisse.”

The acquired business is a long-only traditional asset manager with a leading presence in Europe, Asia and Australasia. It offers a broad product range, diversified predominantly across fixed income, money market and equities, with a variety of investment styles that will be integrated into Aberdeen’s investment processes. Its products are sold primarily to third party clients, with a significant minority of assets sourced through Credit Suisse’s Private Banking division, one of the world’s largest wealth managers.

Aberdeen has agreed an extension of the existing distribution agreement with Credit Suisse, this will give Aberdeen greater access to the banking network of Credit Suisse.

With the new acquisition, Aberdeen has opportunity to achieve greater scale in certain markets where the Group already has a presence, such as the UK, Australia, Germany, Switzerland and Japan. The Acquisition will also strengthen Aberdeen’s offering in certain product areas

“The acquisition confirms Aberdeen’s position as a leading global asset manager and provides us with greater access to the distribution network of Credit Suisse and its Private Banking division, one of the world’s largest wealth managers." Martin Gilbert, Chief Executive of Aberdeen, said, “This transaction fits perfectly within our strategy, a key part of which has been to make earnings enhancing acquisitions which give the business critical mass in our core competencies, complementing our organic growth."

“Given our proven track record of integrating businesses, we are well placed to ensure a smooth transition of the Credit Suisse assets to Aberdeen. We look forward to welcoming our new colleagues and clients, and also to welcoming Credit Suisse as a significant shareholder in Aberdeen. We believe that this transaction will be for the long-term benefit of all our shareholders.”

Alex Akesson

Tags: aberdeen asset management, asset-manager, banking network, credit-suisse, distribution agreement, europe asia, germany switzerland, global asset, investment-styles, management arm, management-plc, martin-hughes, palm-beach, party clients, private-banking, product areas, regulatory approval, wealth managers