It's no secret that Natixis is among a (long) list of firms that are eyeing Pioneer Investments, and yesterday, Natixis' U.S. and Asia chief provided added confirmation of Natixis' interest. [See MFWire's living timeline of the Pioneer auction for more details and history.]

At the Natixis press briefing at Per Se in Manhattan yesterday, The MFWire.com asked Hailer whether Natixis is buying Pioneer and he responded: "We're always looking to strengthen ourselves. We'll evaluate any idea."

"We have had discussions with them," said Hailer, president and CEO of Natixis Global Asset Management for U.S. and Asia. "Just like with other companies, we look at whether there is a fit. Does it make sense for Pioneer? Does it make sense for us? Does it make sense for shareholders and investors? That's how we evaluate all companies we look at."

He described talks with Pioneer as "preliminary."

Hailer was in New York for Natixis' press briefing dubbed Outlook 2011: Uncovering Investment Opportunities in Today's Markets.

Speakers included Kathleen Gaffney, co-portfolio manager of the Loomis Sayles Bond Fund; Kal Ghayur, CEO and CIO at Westpeak Global Advisors and co-PM of the Westpeak ActiveBeta Equity Fund; Dennis Alff, co-PM of the Vaughan Nelson Value Opportunity Fund and Francisco Alzuru, PM of the Hansberger Emerging Latin America Fund. 

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