Aegon launches Strategic Assets fund

Aegon Asset Management is to unveil a multi-asset fund on 1 March aimed specifically at retail investors, targeting a 10% annual return in all market conditions.

The Aegon Strategic Assets fund will be jointly managed by William Dinning, the head of investment strategy, and Sean Flanagan from Aegon's multi-asset group.

The fund will be a portfolio of largely long-only investments in real assets, comprising mainly equities and fixed income.

Sitting within the IMA Cautious Managed Sector, the fund will invest based on themes and strategies developed by the multi-asset group, which manages a range of products including the Global Opportunities fund.

Steve Kenny, head of sales retail, says: "The launch of Strategic Assets marks the next stage in the development of our multi-asset capabilities. It means for the first time retail investors will benefit from the expertise of our multi-asset group, which was previously the preserve of the institutional and professional investor."

The fund carries a 5.5% initial charge, discounted by 2.5% until 1 March 2012 for lump sum investments, the minimum for which is £500. The fund has an annual charge of 1.5% and commission is 3%.