Interest in emerging markets and global strategy mandates from European and UK investors is on the rise, according to Canadian investment management firm AGF Investments.
In the fiscal year to date, AGF has raised USD1bn in these strategies including investment from UK-based Local Authority Pension Funds West Midlands and Lancashire County Pension Fund.
These two government pension schemes manage in excess of USD24bn in assets on behalf of municipal workers.
In December 2013, AGFI announced the launch of AGF Global Core Equity Fund and AGF Emerging Markets All Cap Equity Fund on the firm's UCITS platform, which allows these funds to be marketed within the countries of the European Union as well as Asia.
"We've seen strong interest in these mandates both through UCITS and on a segregated basis. In just a few months, we have seen significant flows from UK and European clients into both platforms,” says Ciaran Henry, director, business development, UK region, AGF International Advisors Limited.
The AGF UCITS platform has been approved for sale in the UK, Sweden and the Netherlands, with additional approvals pending.
"The launch of a UCITS platform and the recent opening of a representative office in London allow us to better serve our growing UK client base while demonstrating our commitment to this market," says Blake C Goldring, chairman and chief executive officer, AGF Management Limited.
AGF's European presence dates back to the establishment of its Dublin office in 1991.
