Global Asset Manager Adds US Investment Manager

Christopher Owen

20 February 2008

Natixis Global Asset Management has acquired Gateway Investment Advisers, a Cincinnati-based investment manager with $7.9 billion in assets under management for an undisclosed sum. The $4.3 billion Gateway Fund (GATEX) has been reorganised as a member of the Natixis Funds family, with the same name, investment strategy and portfolio management and will be available for purchase through financial intermediaries. Founded in 1977, Gateway Investment Advisers' hedged equity offerings include two open-end mutual funds, four closed-end funds and one offshore fund, as well as individual, foundation, endowment, pension and insurance accounts. Under the Natixis multi-boutique business model, Gateway will continue to operate autonomously. The firm will retain its brand name and its Cincinnati headquarters. The Gateway investment team will remain in place and will continue to implement the firm’s hedged equity strategy. “Gateway’s conservative, risk-conscious approach can complement many investors’ portfolios,” said John Hailer, NGAM president and chief executive for US and Asia. “Given growing market volatility, we believe it’s important not only to provide solutions that help investors build wealth but also to provide solutions that help them preserve it – an objective to which Gateway’s hedged equity strategy is well-suited.” Headquartered in Paris and Boston, NGAM is one of the 15 largest asset managers in the world with €591 billion ($869 billion) of assets under management as of 31 December 2007. It brings together the expertise of multiple specialised investment managers based in Europe, the US and Asia to offer a wide spectrum of equity, fixed income and alternative investment strategies. NGAM is part of Natixis, the investment and project bank of the Banque Populaire and Caisse d’Epargne groups. Its affiliated investment management firms and distribution and service groups include: AEW Capital Management; AlphaSimplex Group; Capital Growth Management; Caspian Capital Management; Hansberger Global Investors; Harris Alternatives; Harris Associates; Loomis, Sayles & Co.; Natixis Global Associates; Reich & Tang Capital Management; Reich & Tang Funds; Snyder Capital Management; Vaughan Nelson Investment Management; and Westpeak Global Advisors. In addition to the US firms, NGAM includes four principal affiliates based in Paris: Natixis Asset Management, Natixis Multimanager, AEW Europe and Ecureuil Gestion.