Storebrand Asset Management is launching itself into the Danish market with five equity funds highlighting sustainable, index and multifactor strategy approaches.
The launch marks a return of sorts, as the Storebrand Group can trace its roots to Denmark in 1767. More recently its business focus has been on Norway and Sweden. Distribution of the funds will be handled by Skagen Funds Denmark. Skagen Funds, headquartered in Stavanger was acquired by the Lysaker headquartered Storebrand Group in 2017. Along with Storebrand Funds, Delphi Funds and SPP Funds, it constitutes the multiboutique model currently pursued by the Group.
Jan Erik Saugestad, CEO of Storebrand Asset Management, said: "We have chosen to launch five carefully selected equity funds from Storebrand Asset Management, which will each fulfill a need that is not covered in the Danish market at present. In the Nordic region, we are known for our work with sustainable investment products. We a have a unique offering that we believe will be attractive to the Danish market."
Storebrand applies strict sustainability objectives to its investments, and this will be a key fact of the funds now being brought to the Danish market.
Saugestad adds: "Our investment strategy is based on the belief that companies that act responsibly and help solve challenges facing society in a sustainable way are the ones who will be the most profitable long term. The need to address global environmental and social challenges has never been greater and our priority is to deliver sustainable investment solutions, which provide clients with optimal risk-adjusted returns without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."
However, there are other 'firsts' that it says it will be bringing to the Danish market. One is around the two global index funds it is launching into the market, which will come with fees that "are among the lowest in the Danish market", while also applying a sustainble overlay that implies exclusion of companies present in the underlying benchmark indices if they are considered "unsustainable". The second is in regards to the multifactor strategy being launched into the Danish market, which will rely on value, momentum, size and low volatility. Storebrand AM has over a decade of experience in applying factor investing.
