Cavendish Asset Management has announced the launch of five new equity funds, in a move that signals its confidence in the stock markets.

The funds will be sub-funds of the Cavendish Investments Funds OEIC. Four are geographically focused, consisting of a European Fund (which will be managed by Caroline Vincent), an Asia-Pacific Fund (by Liz Evans), a North American Fund (by Tim Roberts) and a Japan Fund (by Ron Bullivant). The last of the five funds is sector based, focusing on Technology (managed by Alison Hyde).
 
The fund launches coincide with a time of renewed optimism about the value to be enjoyed from stocks and shares, following significant inflows of retail monies back into the market.

Recent research has shown that private investors committed £1.6 billion to shares over the past six months, almost entirely reversing the money taken out of the stock market in the previous six-month period.
 
Julian Lewis, chief executive of Cavendish Asset Management, says, ‘We would not go so far as to call the bottom while confidence remains fragile, but on current valuations we believe equities are offering an attractive point of entry for the medium- to long-term investor. The market may yet cause us a few headaches, but looking ahead we feel there are more opportunities and better value than 12 months ago. We are keen to take advantage of today’s low prices.
 
‘Over the coming months, we expect equities to become far more favourable to investors. Generating a return elsewhere in the market is looking increasingly difficult, while longer term there are understandable fears of inflation, for which equities will provide the best hedge. By creating these new funds, we can give new and existing investors better choice, a greater chance to diversify their holdings and access to uncomplicated funds they can trust.’
 
The North American and Asia-Pacific funds will invest mainly in large and mid-cap stocks, where Cavendish believes there is a strong balance between value and growth in the current market.

The European fund will unusually cover both Europe’s established and emerging economies within a single fund, allowing breadth and flexibility as economic conditions dictate. The Japan Fund will invest across the market capitalisation range, including a number of attractively valued mid- and small-cap names.

The Technology fund will invest mainly in large and mid-cap companies, but will have some exposure to small-caps, introducing a higher growth element into the portfolio.
 
All of the funds are now open to investment, except for the Asia-Pacific fund, which will be launched this summer. Existing investors will be able to transfer money into any of the new funds, with each having a minimum investment level of £2,500.