ING is adding Van Kampen's new Global Tactical Asset Allocation Fund to its variable annuity investment options. Van Kampen executives said they are working to form similar relationships with other firms.

Van Kampen formally launched the fund, which invests in both traditional and non-traditional asset classes across the globe, on Wednesday.

Van Kampen Funds is the fund's distributor, Van Kampen Investor Services is the transfer agent and State Street Bank and Trust Company is the custodian.

---

Company Press Release

CHICAGO - (Business Wire) Van Kampen Funds Inc., a subsidiary of Van Kampen Investments Inc. (“Van Kampen”), today announced the launch of the Van Kampen Global Tactical Asset Allocation (GTAA) Fund (the “Fund”).

The Van Kampen GTAA Fund has been designed to invest in traditional and non-traditional asset classes across the world and to respond, in a nimble fashion, to rapidly changing market conditions. The Fund seeks to achieve significant diversification across a range of countries and industries by typically investing in 1,500 to 2,000 equity securities and fixed-income securities of U.S. and non-U.S. issuers, as well as cash, commodities and currencies. The management of the Fund is led by Van Kampen's Global Tactical Asset Allocation Team, a highly experienced group of investment professionals with a long track record of managing similar accounts for institutional clients.

"The last twelve months have been an extraordinarily challenging time for investors seeking to realize the benefits of global diversification," said Francine Bovich, Portfolio Manager, Van Kampen Global Tactical Asset Allocation Team. "The Van Kampen Global Tactical Asset Allocation Fund will give financial advisors a single-ticket solution for their clients to leverage our vast global investment network as it roots out which countries and which sectors present the strongest opportunities at any given moment."

The new Van Kampen GTAA Fund uses a top-down, global macro investment approach that provides the freedom and flexibility to best exploit market inefficiencies as soon as they are identified. The Fund operates within a risk-controlled portfolio framework and combines quantitative models with fundamental analysis driven by a team with over 175 years of combined investment experience.

"In a complex global environment, you cannot rely solely on quantitative models to help drive investment decisions,” said Bovich. “While models help us quantify large amounts of data, the Van Kampen Global Tactical Asset Allocation Team remains forward-looking by taking a fundamental view of the world and utilizing our global reach and local insights."

The launch of the Van Kampen GTAA Fund for individual investors follows closely on the decision of the financial services firm ING to include the GTAA fund as a part of its variable annuity investment options. Van Kampen is working with other firms on similar relationships.

"The Global Tactical Asset Allocation fund is a strong addition to our line-up, bringing time-tested institutional strategies and years of international investment experience to Van Kampen’s clients," said Jerry Miller, President and CEO of Van Kampen. “Investors of all types are actively looking to markets around the world to diversify their holdings, and Van Kampen is broadening its set of investment solutions to meet the evolving needs of both individual investors and our distribution partners."

The launch of the GTAA Fund is the latest announcement from Van Kampen. Last week, Van Kampen announced an exclusive agreement with O’Shaughnessy Asset Management (“OSAM”) as well as the filing of a registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for a new series of six open-end equity mutual funds that will be advised by Van Kampen and sub-advised by OSAM. In November of last year, Van Kampen launched the Retirement Strategy Funds, a new set of target-date funds with an innovative, next-generation design.

About Van Kampen

Van Kampen Asset Management, the Fund’s investment adviser, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Van Kampen Investments Inc. (“Van Kampen”). Van Kampen is one of the nation’s largest investment management companies, with approximately $84 billion in assets under management or supervision, as of November 30, 2008. With roots in money management dating back to 1927, Van Kampen has helped nearly four generations of investors achieve their financial goals. For more information, visit Van Kampen’s website at www.vankampen.com.

 

Stay ahead of the news ... Sign up for our email alerts now
CLICK HERE