Top managers get their rewards

AMP Capital has taken out the Morningstar fund manager of the year award for the second year in a row.

Thursday, March 4th 2010, 12:25AM

The double accolade is a testament to the quality and commitment of the firm's investment personnel and their skills and resources, Morningstar says.

"AMP Capital's fixed interest team continues to stand well above its rivals, producing peer-beating results, while the shop's international shares strategy was also a finalist in its category with top-notch performance."

Morningstar co-head of fund research Chris Douglas says AMP Capital's fixed interest team, which is headed by Grant Hassell, had "another vintage year in 2009, demonstrating their masterly command of their asset class".

"AMP Capital was once again one of the top-performing domestic fixed income managers despite conditions not entirely favourable to the conservative approach."

The research house also commended its global fixed interest capabilities.

The other two finalists in fixed interest were Tyndall and Tower.

Brook Asset Management won the domestic shares award, making its second win of this category in three years.

"Brook's investment team has few rivals for talent and ingenuity, with an investment process that has more than stood the test of time."

Portfolio Manager Slade Robertson moved deftly out of a defensive cash heavy position into cyclical names in early 2009, reaping rewards for investors.

"Shrewd calls like these demonstrate Brook's willingness to back its convictions."

ING is a back-to-back winner of the international equities category. Its underlying investment managers are Franklin Global Advisors, LSV, and MFS. MFS protected returns as markets tumbled in 2008, while in 2009 Franklin and LSV drove performance.

AXA took out the KiwiSaver manager for the year award, beating Mercer and Asteron.

While all the other awards are based on qualitative research and analysis of risk-adjusted performance, the KiwiSaver award considers other areas such as fee levels, quality of regular updates, educational materials, website tools and content, transparency of disclosure, and performance.

« Six finance coys miss the cut for guarantee scheme

Sovereign takes regulation bull by the horns »

Special Offers