UBS Asset Management launched its inaugural Significant Investor Visa (SIV) Fund into the Australian marketplace in September 2015. The UBS Australian Small Companies SIV Fund (the Fund) was designed with the objective of satisfying the SIV emerging companies complying investment criteria, and offers investors access to an actively managed, core style, portfolio of small cap securities.
Zenith Investment Partners5 recently reviewed the Fund and has given it a ‘RECOMMENDED’ rating, noting the ‘resources afforded to the small companies team is a competitive advantage for the Fund,” and importantly that ‘the Fund is one of the very few funds to be declared compliant under the Australian government’s Significant Investor Visa guidelines.”
The Fund is managed by a team of four UBS Small Companies specialists, who together hold over 65 years of industry experience, and who have had experienced success with their existing UBS Microcap Fund and UBS Australian Small Companies Fund. In Zenith’s announcement they commented that ‘this collegiate approach is endorsed by Zenith as we believe that it most effectively leverages off the experience and skill set of the team, as well as the rigorous UBS company research process.”
The UBS Microcap Fund achieved over the last twelve months a 20.24%1,2 return (after fees), outperforming its benchmark3 by 17.81%, despite volatile global financial markets. The UBS Australian Small Companies Fund achieved a total return (after management costs) of 12.37%2 verses its benchmark3 of 0.63% in the last three years4.
“We are delighted to be given a RECOMMENDED rating by Zenith,” said Stephen WOOD, Co-Portfolio Manager for the UBS Australian Small Companies SIV Fund. “The UBS small caps team has been offering small cap funds to the Australian market with strong returns for over a decade. We hope that our successful strategy and track record continues to bring the investors of the UBS Australian Companies SIV Fund a stellar performance in the future.”