The Hague / Luxembourg, March 10 2020

Pelargos Capital and Universal Investment launch dedicated Japan equity fund with governance focus

Netherlands based Pelargos Capital and the in Germany headquartered fund service company Universal-Investment are joining forces to launch a new Japan equity fund with a strong engagement angle. The fund’s strategy is identical to the one Pelargos Capital has used for its Japanese equity management. Pelargos has been managing a Japan equity long/short fund since 2008. On the back of the fund’s long book and its strong performance, the fund initiator is now launching the long only Pelargos Japan Reiwa Fund. The fund is a sub-fund of the UI I SICAV setup and registered in Luxembourg.

Pelargos Capital applies a bottom-up, stock picking approach with both quantitative and qualitative factors. Fundamental, on the ground research plays a large role in the investment process. The aim is to outperform the TOPIX equity index by a substantial margin over an economic cycle. This outperformance originates from the rigorous stock specific research carried out by Pelargos as well as its focus on corporate governance. Pelargos Capital is a subscriber to the Japan Stewardship Code, and actively votes at AGMs of companies held in its portfolios.

Pelargos Capital is convinced that there is going to be a major revolution in Japan in terms of corporate governance. Supported by the Japanese government and regulator, foreign and local investors are starting to become more vocal in their dialogue with listed companies, resulting in corporate events such as share buy backs, increased dividend payments or buy out of subsidiaries – all measures which are in the interest of shareholders. For many years, Japanese equities have been considered a value-trap by foreign investors. That is starting to change. Pelargos Capital expects tremendous (hidden) value on corporate balance sheets in combination with the tools and willingness to unlock that value provide for a unique and powerful set-up to generate attractive returns.

The fund launch is a testament to Universal-Investment’s growing international business with fund initiators in the Netherlands, Scandinavia, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. By means of its Luxembourg hub, the fund service company provides access to the broader European market with UCITs and AIF structures for all asset classes.

ABOUT PELARGOS CAPITAL BV

Pelargos Capital is an AIFMD licensed asset management company regulated by Autoriteit Financiële Markten in the Netherlands. The firm was established in 2008 as subsidiary of Dutch Aegon insurance group, which is still a substantial shareholder in the firm. The remaining shares are held by Pelargos staff. Pelargos Capital is a dedicated Japan equity specialist, and has managed a Japan long/short equity fund since its inception in 2008. Pelargos Japan Reiwa Fund builds on the strong results of the long book of that fund. For more information, please visit www.pelargoscapital.com .

• e-mail
• tweet
• share
• share

Bernd Obergfell

Head of Communications

Phone
+49 69 71043-575

e-mail
bernd.obergfell@universal-investment.com

Add to contacts