Henderson Global Investors, through their official representatives in Malta, Jesmond Mizzi Financial Advisors, on Tuesday introduced the Henderson Global Equity Income Fund to the local financial services community.

The fund’s main objective is to achieve an income in excess of that of the MSCI World Index with the potential for long-term capital growth. The fund mainly invests in shares of companies in any country. It may also invest in bonds of any quality from any issuer, money market instruments and bank deposits. The fund is available in Euro, US Dollar and Sterling and pays on a quarterly basis. The fund’s current dividend yield is 3.6% p.a. (as at September 30, 2013).

The fund focuses on three fundamental factors; income growth, capital growth and risk reduction.  Assets under management under this fund total to £642m (as at September 30, 2013). The fund’s main industry exposures include financials, consumer discretionary, industrials and health care. Meanwhile, the main regional exposure of the fund is North America, UK and to lesser extent the rest of Europe. The fund at present only has minimal exposure to the emerging markets (1.2% of Net Asset Value as at September 30, 2013).

Participation in the fund starts from a minimum investment of £1,000 or the equivalent in Euro or US Dollars. The fund is spread into 50-80 different equities and therefore offering a good level of diversification.

Henderson Funds consistently outperform in different market environments backed by an experienced team of credit analysts who provide the necessary research and insight into investment solutions.

The presentation was addressed by Jesmond Mizzi, Managing Director of Jesmond Mizzi Financial Advisors who spoke about the relationship between the two companies and why it was important to introduce this fund in Malta. He stated that despite the fact that local investors normally invest in bonds, he believes that local investors should also consider investing in international equity funds managed by reputable fund managers so as to diversify their portfolio.

Fabio Solitro, Head of European Investment Services at Henderson Global Investors spoke about Henderson while Andrew Jones the co-fund manager of the fund made the case for investing in equity income funds.