Big retail fund REST has awarded a $100 million fund of hedge funds mandate.
The appointment was announced in late April and will see the IXIS mandate managed by affiliate Harris Alternatives via the Harris Alternatives Aurora Hedged Equity Offshore Fund.
REST executive director said the fund was looking to complement its portfolio with an absolute return investment product and had been attracted to the lower volatility and diversity associated with fund of hedge funds.
The mandate will see an investment in the Harris Alternatives Aurora Hedged Equity Offshore Fund, which seeks to achieve long-term capital appreciation through the use of a multi-manager, single strategy investment approach, focusing on global long/short managers.
Despite tariff challenges and a weaker US dollar, the investment manager remains optimistic that Asian markets, both big and small, stand to benefit.
The uncertainty surrounding US trade policy is weighing down global growth prospects, KPMG warns.
The US and Europe trade deal represents a significant step forward in resolving trade conflict, but markets have largely priced in the good news already, says the asset manager.
The Australian sharemarket is back to overvalued following the sharp rally since April, but many sectors still offer attractive stocks, according to the research firm.