Premier launch favours Asia

Premier’s new Environmental Power & Water fund is likely to launch with an overweight to Asia. The new fund, which is a conversion of the existing 20m UK Smaller Companies portfolio, launches on 1 November.

It will invest in companies searching for solutions to declining energy and water resource, and firms looking to improve the use of those resources.

Managers Kevin Scutt and Claire Burgess will draw on their experience running Premier’s Energy & Water trust and Renewable Energy fund.

Scutt says the fund will benefit from current economic and political drivers.

“The world has limited resource of fossil fuels and energy demands are increasing. The time has come where many countries realise they have to do something now about energy supply,” he said.

“This industry accounts for 1.3% of global GDP, and this is set to grow to 2% over the next 10 years.”

The fund will invest across water, clean power, energy efficiency, and environmental control. The managers expect the fund to hold around 50 stocks, from a universe of 500, across the market-cap spectrum.

The Ucits III fund has an initial charge of 4.25% and an AMC of 1.5%. Minimum investment is £1,000. The fund is expected to sit in the IMA Specialist sector.