MutualFundWire.com: Natixis Taps an Affiliate for a Value Fund
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Friday, July 6, 2012

Natixis Taps an Affiliate for a Value Fund


Say hello to a new fund from Natixis Global Asset Management. Natixis affilliate Vaughan Nelson Investment Management will launch the Vaughan Nelson Select Fund (VNSAX), according to a press release.

David Giunta, president and CEO of Natixis' U.S. Distribution, stated that the fund "rounds out" Natixis' offerings with a flexible approach to equities and reinforces a "mission of providing innovative solutions to clients."

The fund is managed by the value equity team and will invest in undervalued companies to bolster long-term equity investors and be a complement to index fund positions.

Chris Wallis, president and CEO of Vaughan Nelson, explained that he believes there is "demand for an actively managed fund with high active share, as measured by the percentage of a portfolio not held by its relevant benchmark index."

Scott Weber serves as lead PM for the fund, with Chris Wallis and Dennis Alff co-managing. All three have previous experience with working with other Vaughan Nelson funds.

The fund will hold between 20 to 40 stocks and has the ability to hold preferred and convertible securities.

COMPANY PRESS RELEASE

Natixis Global Asset Management Launches Vaughan Nelson Select Fund
Concentrated equity fund to seek value opportunities across market capitalizations

Boston, June 29, 2012 Natixis Global Asset Management (NGAM) announced today the launch of a concentrated equity fund, the Vaughan Nelson Select Fund (VNSAX), from Vaughan Nelson Investment Management (Vaughan Nelson). Managed by Vaughan Nelson's experienced value equity team, the new Fund is designed as a potential return enhancer for long-term equity investors and could be a complement to index fund positions. An industry-leading provider of asset allocation and risk management solutions, NGAM is focused on providing products designed to help today's investors as they work with their financial advisors in constructing more durable portfolios.

The Vaughan Nelson Select Fund invests in undervalued companies across the market capitalization spectrum. Lead portfolio manager for the Fund is Scott J. Weber, CFA, along with co-managers Chris D. Wallis, CFA, and Dennis Alff, CFA. Weber and Wallis co-manage the Vaughan Nelson Small Cap Value Fund (NEFJX), while Alff is lead manager for the Vaughan Nelson Value Opportunity Fund (VNVAX)

"In an investing landscape increasingly dominated by index funds and ETFs, we believe there is demand for an actively managed fund with high active share, as measured by the percentage of a portfolio not held by its relevant benchmark index," said Chris Wallis, president and CEO of Vaughan Nelson. "A concentrated approach allows us to focus on investment ideas in which we have the greatest conviction, fully expressing the views of Vaughan Nelson's experienced investment team in a single product."

The investment process for the Vaughan Nelson Select Fund is an extension of the process used for the firm's two other funds; however, the fund takes a more concentrated approach, holding between 20 and 40 stocks. In addition, the fund has the ability to hold preferred and convertible securities and can short equity securities tactically to express an investment view.1 Investment ideas are generated by the firm's equity research analyst team using a rigorous bottom-up fundamental research process informed by macro economic and sophisticated risk analysis.

"The Vaughan Nelson Select Fund is another example of NGAM's commitment to offering a wide range of portfolio solutions focused on helping investors as they build durable investment portfolios," said David Giunta, president and CEO, Natixis Global Asset Management -- U.S. Distribution. "It rounds out our current offerings with a flexible approach to equities, thus reinforcing our overall mission of providing innovative solutions to clients."

About Vaughan Nelson Investment Management, L.P.

Vaughan Nelson Investment Management was founded in 1970 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas. The firm has approximately $8.2 billion in assets under management (as of March 31, 2012). An affiliate of Natixis Global Asset Management, L.P., Vaughan Nelson manages equity, fixed-income and balanced portfolios for institutions and high-net-worth clients.

About Natixis Global Asset Management, S.A.

Natixis Global Asset Management, S.A. is one of the 15 largest asset managers in the world based on assets under management. Its affiliated asset management companies provide investment products that seek to enhance and protect the wealth and retirement assets of both institutional and individual investor clients. Its proprietary distribution network helps package and deliver its affiliates' products around the world. Natixis Global Asset Management, S.A. brings together the expertise of multiple specialized investment managers based in Europe, the United States and Asia to offer a wide spectrum of equity, fixed-income and alternative investment strategies.

Headquartered in Paris and Boston, Natixis Global Asset Management, S.A.'s assets under management totaled $748 billion (562 billion franks) as of March 31, 2012. Natixis Global Asset Management, S.A. is part of Natixis. Listed on the Paris Stock Exchange, Natixis is a subsidiary of BPCE, the second-largest banking group in France. Natixis Global Asset Management, S.A.'s affiliated investment management firms and distribution and service groups include: Absolute Asia Asset Management; AEW Capital Management; AEW Europe; AlphaSimplex Group; Aurora Investment Management; Capital Growth Management; Darius Capital Partners; Gateway Investment Advisers; H2O Asset Management; Hansberger Global Investors; Harris Associates; IDFC Asset Management Company; Loomis, Sayles & Company; Natixis Asset Management; Natixis Multimanager; Ossiam; Reich & Tang Asset Management; Snyder Capital Management; and Vaughan Nelson Investment Management.

NGAM Distribution, L.P. is located at 399 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116.



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