Portfolio Partners’ High Growth Shares Trust reached over $100 million in funds under management late last week. This milestone was achieved after four years of gross returns of greater than 20 per cent pa.
Portfolio Partners’ High Growth Shares Trust reached over $100 million in funds under management late last week. This milestone was achieved after four years of gross returns of greater than 20 per cent pa.
As at 31 December 2001, the High Growth Shares Trust has delivered the following returns:
| Period | Trust return (%)* | Benchmark return (%)# |
| Quarter | 20.4 | 13.1 |
| 1 year | 23.7 | 10.4 |
| 2 years pa | 26.1 | 7.8 |
| 3 years pa | 28.7 | 10.5 |
| 4 years pa | 24.4 | 10.8 |
| Since inception pa | 20.7 | 9.3 |
Source: Portfolio Partners
*Gross return
#S&P/ASX 200 Accumulation Index
The milestone of $100 million is the latest in a string of achievements for this innovative fund, which has produced outstanding returns since its inception. It has been a ’standout’ period for the trust, which received Personal Investor magazine’s inaugural Judge’s Choice award for ‘Most Innovative Product of the Year’ in 2001.
“I am delighted with the way in which Ian Lang and his team have been able to produce strong returns for our clients. This short-term milestone is a reflection of the enthusiasm and passion they commit to this product,” said Craig Bingham, Managing Director of Portfolio Partners.
Not content to rest on current and past performance, Senior Investment Manager and portfolio manager of the High Growth Shares Trust, Ian Lang, greeted the milestone with an eye to the future.
“While I am of course happy to see the fund size growing, I'm happier again that the returns we have been able to deliver to all investors over different periods are still meeting expectations. This is not an exercise in seeing how big you can get. It is an exercise in looking after the hard earned savings of a large number of people, in the best possible manner, with the highest possible returns at the lowest level of risk commensurate with those returns.
“We are committed to giving every extra dollar entrusted to us in the future the same care and consideration as every dollar entrusted to us in the past, and will work diligently to ensure similar – if not better – returns are generated for everyone.”
Launched to wholesale investors in July 1997, the Portfolio Partners High Growth Shares Trust was opened to retail investors in November 1999.
The trust gives those investors with a higher tolerance to risk an opportunity to enhance returns achieved by more traditional Australian equities products.
With a net return of 23.4% pa, the High Growth Shares Trust was ranked the top performing fund in the Mercer retail survey over two years to 31 December 2001 and outperformed the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 Accumulation Index by an impressive 15.6%.
For further information:
Simon Morgan
Group General Manager – Public Affairs
Norwich Union Australia
Tel 03 9829 8892
Mob: 0407 966 632
Trust wins award in 2001
In recognition of its innovative investment techniques and outstanding performance, the High Growth Shares Trust was named Judges’ Choice Most Innovative Product of the Year in Personal Investor magazine’s Managed Fund of the Year Awards in July 2001.
Announcing the award, Personal Investor stated that the trust won in this new category because it had delivered on what it promised. "This is a special award for products that sit outside the square.” The trust’s ability to go both long and short stocks meant it was particularly suited to the needs of the evolving Australian marketplace.
Managing Director of Portfolio Partners, Craig Bingham, said: “We are delighted the trust has been recognised by the industry with this high profile award. In an environment where investment vehicles are pigeon holed and where to dare to be different can mean missing out on a rating because there aren’t enough people doing the same, it’s evident the market is crying out for something new. This award acknowledges that Portfolio Partners has dared to be different and, in doing so, succeeded in providing investors with consistently high returns.”
Portfolio Manager Biography
Senior Investment Manager – Ian Lang
As the portfolio manager of the High Growth Shares Trust, Senior Investment Manager Ian Lang is responsible for identifying opportunities to enhance returns using margin lending, short selling and active trading. Back-up is provided by deputy manager Richard Dixon. However, Ian and Richard make extensive use of the research conducted by members of the entire Australian equities team and draw heavily on the team’s experience.
From 1970 and 1986, Ian was employed as an investment manager with both Colonial Mutual and National Mutual, where he was responsible for management of the No. 1 Fund and subsidiary company share assets. For a number of years during this period, he was a partner in a leading Australian stockbroking partnership. In more recent years, Ian was associated with the establishment and revitalisation of several sharebroking offices. From 1991-97, Ian was employed by McIntosh/Merrill Lynch as a senior account manager responsible for some of the larger institutional accounts in Melbourne.
He joined Portfolio Partners as Senior Investment Manager in 1997.