The latest news in investment offerings, financial products and other services relevant to wealth advisors and their clients.

Columbia Threadneedle Investments
US-headquartered Columbia Threadneedle Investments has launched the CT (Lux) Global Real Estate Securities Fund, a Luxembourg-domiciled UCITS sub-fund which aims to outperform the FTSE EPRA Nareit Developed NR Index. The strategy is designed to exploit valuation inefficiencies across global listed property markets through a high conviction, relative value strategy, the firm said in a statement. 

The fund employs a conviction-led extended alpha strategy, combining about 130 per cent long and 30 per cent short exposure to listed real estate equities and real estate investment trusts.

Launching the new fund reflects Columbia Threadneedle’s confidence in the outlook for real estate investment trusts, with conservatively leveraged balance sheets, strong cashflows from sectors with negligible supply and signs of rental growth across prime real estate in all sectors

“Following on from the success of our UK-domiciled extended alpha Global Real Estate Securities launched in 2013 we are pleased to be able to respond to investor demand for a US dollar-based version of the strategy, augmented with integrated ESG analysis, ensuring its classification as an Article 8 fund under the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR),” Marcus Phayre-Mudge, head of property investment at Columbia Threadneedle Investments, said. “This classification reflects our commitment to promoting environmental and social characteristics within our investment process. We look forward to bringing this new fund to market”

Morgan Stanley Investment Management
New York-headquartered Morgan Stanley Investment Management (MSIM) has launched its Morgan Stanley Private Markets ELTIF, managed by the Portfolio Solutions Group (PSG). The fund targets high-conviction investments in the middle market across Europe, the US and Asia.

Designed for investors seeking long-term capital appreciation, the fund offers exposure to private equity, private credit, real assets, and select public investments globally. It incorporates a thematic investment approach, seeking opportunities aligned with transformative global trends such as digitisation, sustainability, deglobalisation, and new living.

“We continue to see strong demand from investors for access to the enhanced risk-adjusted returns that private markets can offer,” Federico Vettore, head of European private markets for wealth at MSIM, said.

“The launch of the Morgan Stanley Private Markets ELTIF reflects our commitment to providing investors with access to high-quality private market opportunities,” Steve Turner, head of investment selection for the Portfolio Solutions Group, added. “The ELTIF structure allows us to offer greater flexibility making private markets more accessible to a broader range of investors.”

A new report from Barclays Private Bank and Wealth Management also shows that a majority of those already actively participating in private markets view them as an important part in shaping their overall investment strategy. See commentary here.