A total of 11 funds have been added, and are available for the first time in the UK retail investment market. They are designed to offer advisers and their clients using AXA Wealth’s wrap platform a more diversified investment selection, whether they’re looking for exposure to US markets or a multi-asset approach in emerging markets.
David Thompson, managing director of business development and proposition, AXA Wealth, commented:
“These new funds from AllianceBernstein offer our advisers something a little bit different, suitable for the whole investment journey.
This is especially important in pensions, where we’re seeing more demand for investment choice in both the accumulation and de-accumulation phase.
“The pension freedoms have really kick-started investment innovation. In the past, retirement has been seen as the end of the investment journey, as people cash in their investments to buy an annuity. That’s no longer the case. Investment strategies need to suit the longer-term growth in the accumulation phase and map across to a diversified retirement portfolio – given people could spend 30 years or more in retirement. A mix of assets that can help achieve growth has never been more important.”
As an example, the AB Concentrated US Equity Portfolio focuses on a small group of American mid-and large-cap companies with predictable earnings growth. Fund Manager Jim Tierney has 25 years industry experience and over 13 years managing the strategy focusing on the American market.
Jim Tierney, fund manager, AllianceBernstein, said:
“Following the six plus year US equity rally, price-earnings ratios have normalised, making it even more important to analyse and select companies that can deliver sustainable revenue and earnings growth over the years ahead. The key for us is to leave no stone unturned in truly understanding the businesses and markets we invest in. Over the last four decades we have faithfully carried out our rigorous selection process, focusing on around 20 companies that, we believe, can deliver sustainable earnings growth of at least 10% annually over the next five years and be far in excess of broader market earnings rates.”
|