Harbour Asset Management wins World Finance Award

 Wellington, New Zealand: Over the past two years, global investors have become increasingly attracted to New Zealand’s financial markets, encouraged by a robust economy, growth prospects from the Canterbury rebuild and Free Trade Agreement with China, and relatively high yields on New Zealand bonds and equities.

This heightened interest has seen World Finance magazine add New Zealand to the list of existing countries eligible for their 2013 Investment Management Awards.  In this inaugural year, Harbour Asset Management was selected as ‘Best Investment Management Company, New Zealand – 2013’.

Harbour Asset Management’s Managing Director, Andrew Bascand, says, “New Zealand is one of only a few developed countries to have weathered the global financial crisis with a strong credit rating intact. As a result, global investors are showing unprecedented interest in this country. That interest is driven by strong economic fundamentals, a GDP growth forecast close to 3%, a vibrant capital market with new equity listings, and a growing local savings industry.”

Christian Hawkesby, Harbour’s Head of Fixed Income, noted that “Global investors are aware that New Zealand’s equity market continues to provide a cash yield to global investors in excess of 5%, while local investment grade bonds yield over 4%. These yields look particularly good in the context of local inflation which is hovering around 1%. The fact is that New Zealand companies have for more than a decade provided excellent returns for investors and more recent events have meant that this country is now seen as quietly outperforming most other economies around the world.”

World Finance magazine is part of the London-based World News Media group, who publish financial, business and lifestyle magazines and websites. The World Finance Awards were established in 2007, with the Best Investment Management Company category added in 2011.

Those firms shortlisted for investment management awards are assessed by a panel of independent experts.  The award criteria include investment philosophy, investment research, reporting, transparency, disclosure, and fund performance.  

Andrew Bascand said, “Having New Zealand added to the list of countries covered by the prestigious World Finance Investment Management Company award demonstrates that New Zealand remains on the radar of the global investment community.  We are delighted that World Finance has recognized Harbour’s investment research capabilities and its focus on putting clients first.”

ENDS

About Harbour

Harbour is a New Zealand-based asset manager with extensive professional investment experience managing funds for large government institutions, corporate superannuation funds, multi-nationals, charities and mezzanine platform providers (such as KiwiSaver funds).

Established in January 2010 with capital and infrastructure provided by First NZ Capital, the Harbour team previously worked together for up to 10 years as the NZ Equity team at a large global investment manager. With the launch of Harbour, the Harbour Australasian Equity Fund was formed and funded in April 2010. In January 2012, the team launched the Harbour Australasian Equity Income Fund.

In January 2011, Harbour established a New Zealand Fixed Interest team and took over the management of the Harbour NZ Corporate Bond Fund. In May 2011, Harbour launched the Harbour NZ Core Fixed Interest Fund. In April 2012, the team launched the Harbour NZ Short Duration Fund.

The Harbour team comprises Andrew Bascand, Kevin Bennett, Darryl Briggs, Mark Brown, Anne-Marie Carian, Susanna Fuerst, Christian Hawkesby, Jody Kaye, Simon Pannett, Oyvinn Rimer, and Craig Stent. The Directors of Harbour are Graeme Wong (independent chairman), Wayne Stechman (independent director and head of audit committee), Bill Trotter, Andrew Bascand and Richard Bodman.

12:00AM Wednesday, 10 July, 2013