Investec Asset Management wins further Commodities mandate in Japan

Investec Asset Management has been appointed to sub-advise a Commodities and Resources Fund by Nomura Asset Management, a leading global asset management company in Japan, the company announced today. The agreement recognises Investec Asset Management’s long-term track record and expertise in investing in both South Africa and resource equities.

The Nomura South Africa Resources Stock Fund, which launched in June, is domiciled in Japan and invests in South African resources companies. It attracted around $190m of subscriptions during the launch period.

The fund aims to deliver its long-term investment goals through an actively managed approach, combining fundamental analysis of underlying commodities with a bottom-up stock-picking process. The fund is managed by Daniel Sacks, who is supported by Investec Asset Management’s Commodities and Resources Team comprising specialists covering precious metals, base metals, energy and soft commodities.

This win builds on Investec Asset Management’s appointment by Nomura Asset Management last year as investment advisers to the Nomura Commodity Trust, which comprises the Oil Future Fund and Gold Future Fund.

Investec Asset Management currently manages $70bn globally.

Mr. Kunio Watanabe, Senior Managing Director of Nomura Asset Management, commented, “We are pleased to appoint Investec Asset Management to manage this Fund, building upon the success of the Nomura Commodity Trust which Investec has been running since last year. Our decision to choose Investec Asset Management endorses the successful track record they have built in managing both South African and commodity and resource-related assets over the past nineteen years. We look forward to continuing to work together in Japan.”

John Green, Global Head of Business Development at Investec Asset Management, commented, “We are delighted to be partnering with Nomura once again, and we believe this demonstrates our commitment to building a long and successful partnership.

“The agreement highlights the quality of two of our core investment capabilities. Investing in South Africa and commodity-related investing have been two of the cornerstones of our business since our inception in 1991. The Firm now manages over $4bn[1] in commodities and resource related mandates on behalf of our clients.”