US asset manager Cohen & Steers initiates UK push

American asset manager Cohen & Steers has initiated a fresh push into the United Kingdom investment market and plans to launch two new funds as part of the effort.

US asset manager Cohen & Steers initiates UK push

|

The firm, which specialises in real estate, infrastructure and commodities investing, has some $60.5bn in assets under management.

This is predominantly managed on behalf of US investors, but the firm is now engaged in a push to bring some UK and European money under its watch.

Cohen & Steers has three funds available to UK and European investors in SICAV form; a European real estate securities fund, a global real estate securities fund and a global listed infrastructure fund.

According to president and CIO Joseph Harvey, this is set to grow to five funds by the end of Q1 next year.

The firm is working on the roll-out of a ‘preferred securities’ fund, often know as hybrid securities, as well as a commodities fund. Both strategies are already available in the US.

“We are rebooting in terms of how we address the UK market,” Harvey said. “In terms of the UK and Europe, the wealth management market is now critical for us and we are just starting out really. We are building out our fund range offered in this market. We have three available at the moment, and we are bringing that to five in the near term, likely by the end of Q1 next year,” he said.

A third launch is also on the cards for later in 2017 in the form of a multi-strategy portfolio.

“There is growing appetite for real assets investments around the world and we see that playing out over here as well,” said Harvey. “Investors want assets which provide both diversification and some income. We can provide that in a liquid form.”