Navigator today announced the addition of 26 new funds across the Navigator Personal Retirement Plan and the Personal Investment Plan.
Navigator today announced the addition of 26 new funds across the Navigator Personal Retirement Plan and the Personal Investment Plan.
"It's pleasing to offer Navigator clients a range of high quality investment options across the asset class spectrum," commented Stuart Fechner, Manager Aviva Research.
Navigator's first freshening of the fund list for 2007 marks the largest ever undertaken.
Navigator remains more committed than ever to delivering a responsive investment platform catering for both emerging boutique entrants while ensuring the latest compelling investment offerings from the larger investment houses continue to be made available for Navigator clients. There are funds from a number of mainstream investment managers and options from lesser household names including Principal, Premium and Mirvac Aqua.
There is a strong common thread of ‘income' linking many of the new funds selected which is a deliberate effort to broaden Navigator's defensive investment choice. "We think the diversity of funds strikes a balance between matching existing investment needs and providing sufficient choice so advisers can respond to their client's changing investment objectives in light of whatever bumps future markets may throw up," commented Stuart.
Consulting with key dealer groups and business development channels is a central factor in Navigator's process in determining which funds are assessed for addition. In this case we identified interest in funds of a more conservative, less accumulation-focussed composition. "That is not to say we are pre-empting carnage in equity markets but given we've had such a strong, sustained bull run perhaps advisers are thinking about reigning in and reallocating some assets out of growth into a more defensive allocation," said Stuart.
Aviva Research's recent review of mortgage funds available on Navigator identified advisers were increasingly faced with a growing range of choice in the broader income space. While mortgage funds continue to play a role within diversified portfolios there is increased competition from a variety of income-oriented funds with sophisticated investment techniques and an evolving complexity and array of underlying assets.
?'These funds are adding appeal to what used to be a fairly dry, one-dimensional asset class. It is now less about fixed interest and more about a layered investment strategy of sovereign, corporate and emerging market debt with a touch of hybrid and high yield exposure. The flexibility gives the manager the ability to add value in a range of market scenarios," said Stuart.
Other notable themes from the Funds added include:
- Further depth in the range of property funds. Fund managers are responding to continued interest in global, diversified and direct property by engineering platform-friendly investment vehicles. It hasn't always been easy to handle direct property, for example, due to liquidity constraints;
- A freshening of investment choice in the diversified Multi-Manager range with the addition of eight Russell Funds;
- Continuing interest in the Asian growth story with China-focused equity exposure; and
- Renewed capacity in a number of previously closed Australian equity small cap funds.The following funds were added to both plans.
The following funds were added to both plans.
Mirvac Aqua High Income Fund
Mariner Wholesale Mortgage Trust
Colonial FS wholesale Enhanced Yield Fund
Macquarie Income Opportunities Fund
Principal Global Strategic Income Fund
Perpetual's Wholesale Diversified Income Fund
APN Diversified Property Fund
Becton Diversified Property Fund
Macquarie Direct Property Fund - Wholesale
BT Wholesale Focus Australian Share Fund
Premium China Fund
Russell Conservative Fund - Class C
Russell Diversified 50 Fund - Class C
Russell Balanced Fund - Class C
Russell Growth Fund - Class C
Russell High Growth Fund - Class C
Russell Australian Share Fund - Class C
Russell International Shares Fund - Class C
Russell International Shares Fund $A Hedged - Class C
Investors Mutual Future Leaders Fund *
Perpetual's Smaller Companies Fund *
* Note: previously closed small companies options now made available for platform investment in light of renewed capacity.
The following funds were added to the Navigator Personal Investment Plan (only):
BT Institutional Enhanced Cash Fund
Orchard Diversified Property Fund No.1
The following funds were added to the Navigator Personal Retirement Plan (existing investment options on Investment Plan):
Centro Direct Property Fund International
Deutsche RREEF Global (ex-Australia) Property Securities Fund
Discovery Core Income Fund
-ends-
Stuart Fechner, Manager Aviva Research, is available for interview on 03 9869 1512 / 0407 839 080.
For further information please contact:
Tim Cobb
General Manager Marketing and Public Relations
Phone: (03) 9829 8509 Mobile: 0418 529 387
Notes to editors:
- Aviva Australia is a group of two specialist financial services companies: Navigator and Norwich Union Life Australia Ltd. Portfolio Partners is the Australian funds management arm of Aviva plc. Through these companies we provide products and services in the areas of wealth creation and wealth protection for more than 300,000 customers throughout Australia.
- Aviva is one of the leading providers of life and pensions to Europe with substantial positions in other markets around the world, making it the world's fifth largest insurance group based on gross worldwide premiums at 31 December 2005.
- Aviva's principal business activities are long-term savings, fund management and general insurance, with worldwide total sales of £41.5 billion and assets under management of £364 billion at 31 December 2006.
- The information in this document reflects NULIS Nominees (Australia) Limited's ("NULIS") ABN 80 008 515 633 AFSL 236465 RSE L0000741 understanding of existing legislation, proposed legislation, rulings etc as at the date of issue. In some cases the information has been provided to us by third parties. While it is believed the information is accurate and reliable, this is not guaranteed in any way. The information given in this document is of a general nature and has not taken into account the investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs of any particular person and it is not a substitute for professional advice. A PDS is available from NULIS or your financial adviser. Applications to invest in investment product(s) through the investor directed portfolio service ("IDPS"), operated by Navigator, must be made by completing the application form attached to the applicable IDPS Guide Offer Document and Investment Allocation Authority. Before making an investment decision on the basis of the information above, a prospective investor needs to consider, with or without the assistance of a professional adviser whether the information is appropriate in the light of their particular investment needs, objectives and financial circumstances. Aviva does not receive any remuneration in relation to the provision of information available from this press release which is of a general nature only.