Barclays Wealth is to launch Global Markets, a new series of risk profiled portfolios, aiming to expand its intermediary market offerings.

Global Markets will consist of five portfolios, which will invest via exchange-traded funds across multiple asset classes globally. They are designed to suit different investor profiles, ranging from the risk averse to those willing to experience more volatility in the pursuit of higher returns.

Global Markets will invest across a range of assets including equities, bonds, cash, commercial property, commodities and alternative trading strategies; the asset allocation will be developed by the Barclays Wealth investment team then supplemented with a monthly assessed “tactical asset allocation” which will alter asset holdings according to market conditions. 

Minimum investment will be £3,000 (around $4,670) and the funds will carry a 4 per cent initial charge which will be available as initial commission and a 1 per cent annual charge including 0.5 per cent trail.

“We believe there is a huge opportunity for us to grow our business within the intermediary sector.… We have seen demand from our existing intermediary relationships for this type of product and we anticipate this to grow as intermediaries are faced with increasing challenges, in particular the impact of RDR and the requirement on firms to comply,” said Tony Lanser, director at the firm.

Barclays Wealth had total client assets of £153.5 billion at 30 June 2010.