MutualFundWire.com: Van Kampen Launches Six Sub-Advised Quant Funds
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Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Van Kampen Launches Six Sub-Advised Quant Funds


Van Kampen has launched half a dozen quant funds, thanks to a partnership with O'Shaughnessy Asset Management that it first revealed in January (see MFWire, 1/26/2009). On Tuesday Van Kampen unveiled the Van Kampen-O'Shaughnessy Asset Management funds, subadvised by the Jim O'Shaughnessy OSAM, a quantitative manager that already works with about $4 billion.

"We believe that OSAM's transparent, unemotional and consistent investment approach and quantitative investment management skills will help investors access the equity markets with confidence and conviction," stated Van Kampen CEO Jerry Miller. "It is a natural fit to bring together Van Kampen's robust distribution network with OSAM's solid quantitative approach and its track record as a mutual fund sub-advisor."
Company Press Release

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Van Kampen Funds Inc., a subsidiary of Van Kampen Investments Inc. (“Van Kampen”), announced today the launch of a new series of six open-end equity mutual funds advised by Van Kampen Asset Management and sub-advised by O’Shaughnessy Asset Management (“OSAM”), a Stamford, Connecticut-based quantitative money management firm with approximately $4 billion in assets under management as of March 31, 2009. Lead managed by Jim O’Shaughnessy, a pioneer in quantitative equity analysis, the new series of Van Kampen funds gives individual investors exclusive access to OSAM’s investment strategies in the form of a U.S. registered mutual fund.

The following equity mutual funds (“The Funds”) will be available to U.S. investors via their financial advisors:

  • Van Kampen O’Shaughnessy Enhanced Dividend Fund

  • Van Kampen O’Shaughnessy Large Cap Growth Fund

  • Van Kampen O’Shaughnessy All Cap Core Fund

  • Van Kampen O’Shaughnessy Small/Mid Cap Growth Fund

  • Van Kampen O’Shaughnessy International Fund

  • Van Kampen O’Shaughnessy Global Fund

    The Funds represent a broad set of solutions appropriate for investors seeking investment objectives of capital appreciation or capital appreciation and income.

    The Funds employ OSAM investment strategies that are based on research analyzing more than fifty years of equity performance and valuation to identify the quantitative characteristics shared by companies that outperform their benchmarks. OSAM’s rigorously implemented strategies take the merits of active security selection based on empirical, fundamental research, and add a level of patience and consistency to create a transparent, disciplined approach. While the strategies are continuously refined and enhanced through ongoing research, the underlying philosophy rarely changes.

    “At Van Kampen, we recognize the reality that U.S. investors seeking capital appreciation may require exposure to equities to achieve their long-term investment goals,” said Jerry Miller, CEO of Van Kampen. “Advisors and their clients are telling us that they want investment strategies that are logical, research-driven and that have been tested over time. Given the current environment, delivering a clear, systematic investment process is particularly important. We believe that OSAM’s transparent, unemotional and consistent investment approach and quantitative investment management skills will help investors access the equity markets with confidence and conviction.”

    “O’Shaughnessy Asset Management takes a disciplined approach to investing and we don’t let short-term fluctuations or events impact the longer-term goal of delivering returns over full market cycles. Historically, stocks have been the strongest asset class for investors that want investment appreciation. We understand the characteristics that the best value and growth stocks possess, and invest in the ones that are selling at a discount and show good potential for growth,” said Jim O’Shaughnessy, founder of O’Shaughnessy Asset Management and Lead Portfolio Manager for the Van Kampen O’Shaughnessy funds. “Van Kampen has a strong reputation for quality and long-standing client relationships. We are thrilled to be working with them to provide individual investors exclusive access to our investment strategies in the form of U.S. registered mutual funds, particularly at a time when the valuation of many stocks has the potential to provide some very attractive opportunities for investors with a long-term focus.”

    Miller added, “The launch of the Van Kampen O’Shaughnessy Funds and the exclusive sub-advisory arrangement with OSAM represents our continued commitment to bringing best-in-class asset management expertise and timely, innovative investment solutions to both investors and our distribution partners. It is a natural fit to bring together Van Kampen’s robust distribution network with OSAM’s solid quantitative approach and its track record as a mutual fund sub-advisor.”

    The exclusive sub-advisory arrangement with OSAM and the launch of the new series of equity mutual funds is the latest announcement from Van Kampen. As part of its efforts to enhance its product offerings, Van Kampen launched the Van Kampen Global Tactical Asset Allocation Fund, an actively-managed and opportunistic global portfolio, and the Van Kampen Global Bond Fund in December 2008. In November 2008, 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 is a wholly owned subsidiary of Van Kampen Investments Inc. Van Kampen Investments Inc. is one of the nation’s largest investment management companies, with approximately $78 billion in assets under management or supervision, as of March 31, 2009. With roots in money management dating back to 1927, Van Kampen Investments Inc. has helped nearly four generations of investors achieve their financial goals. For more information, visit Van Kampen Investment Inc.’s website at www.vankampen.com.

    About O’Shaughnessy Asset Management

    O’Shaughnessy Asset Management is a Stamford, Connecticut-based quantitative money management firm. The firm delivers a broad range of equity portfolios to institutional investors and the high net-worth clients of financial advisors in the United States and now serves as a sub-advisor to a series of U.S. registered mutual funds advised by Van Kampen Asset Management. O’Shaughnessy Asset Management also serves as a sub-adviser to a family of mutual funds through the Royal Bank of Canada, which are only available in Canada. The firm’s investment strategies are based on the research of Chairman and CEO James P. O’Shaughnessy, widely regarded as a pioneer in quantitative equity analysis. Mr. O’Shaughnessy and his team have identified the characteristics that have led to successful investing over the last fifty years, and it is these characteristics that form the foundation of the firm’s strategies. As of March 31, 2009, O’Shaughnessy Asset Management managed approximately $4 billion. For more information, visit www.osam.com.


    Printed from: MFWire.com/story.asp?s=21419

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