Last Updated on Wednesday, 18 November, 2020 at 2:09 pm by Andre Camilleri
Jesmond Mizzi Financial Advisors Ltd (JMFA), the investment manager of Merill Funds, recently celebrated the first anniversary since launch of Merill Strategic Balanced Fund USD Accumulator Share Class (MSBF).
The sub-fund, which is denominated in USD, was launched on 14 October 2019 and aims to invest predominantly in US assets, without limiting its exposure to just this geographical region. As characterised by other sub-funds of the Merill range, the objective of this sub-fund is to have a diversified portfolio of investments and also achieve long-term growth. The majority of the sub-fund’s investments are dollar denominated, but the investment manager may participate and benefit from opportunities of investing in other currencies, while taking the necessary measures to mitigate the sub-fund’s risk.
The MSBF is a multi-asset fund which invests in sovereign bonds, investment grade, high yield and equities. The investment approach adopted is a very systematic one which aims to generate better risk-adjusted returns. The portfolio managers aim to achieve this by applying a dynamic allocation approach. Fundamental analysis combined with market sentiment and technical analysis is systematically applied to determine market timing. This is coupled with various optimization techniques in the portfolio construction.
Merill Strategic Balanced Fund USD, which is an accumulator share class, was launched with an initial capital of US dollars 10m. In the past year, it has experienced robust growth in assets under management, both as a result of positive performance as well as due to strong demand from investors. This sub-fund has now exceeded $29.1m or €25m as at 14October. During the period, the sub-fund generated better risk-adjusted returns versus its peers, delivering positive returns in contrast to the average peer group and has also achieved a first quartile ranking on a year-to-date basis.
To mark the first year anniversary of this success, a webinar on BrightTALK was organised by the asset management team at JMFA. Dr Mark Azzopardi, partner and portfolio manager and Marc El-lazidi, CIO and portfolio manager, gave an overview and insight of the MSBF, its strategy, the performance delivered, its investment allocation throughout the past year and also their future views and outlook. Jacques Ellul Soler, general manager at JMFA was moderator. The webinar may be followed on https://www.brighttalk.com/webcast/18508/450511
Jesmond Mizzi, managing director of JMFA said: “We are very pleased to have achieved this success in just one year since launch of the MSBF. Our aim has always been to offer added value to both individual and institutional clients by developing new products, diversifying our product range and extending our product offering also internationally. The MSBF attracts a specialised niche market and has proved to be mostly popular with foreign investors and family offices seeking to invest and accumulate their wealth in a sub-fund which forms part of a reputable brand.”
Merill Sicav plc is incorporated and licensed as an open-ended Collective Investment Scheme, registered in Malta, qualifying as a Maltese UCITS in terms of the UCITS Directive with effect from 16 October 2015. The value of the investment and the income are not guaranteed and may go down as well as up. Investments should be based upon the details contained in the Prospectus and Key Investor Information Documents (KIID’s), which may be obtained in English language and free of charge from Jesmond Mizzi Financial Advisors Limited (JMFA) of 67, Level 3, South Street Valletta, VLT1105, Malta, licenced to conduct investment services business under the Investment Services Act. JMFA and Merill Sicav plc are regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority of Mdina Road, Zone 1, Central Business District, Birkirkara CBD 1010
