Apr 7 2008
Allianz Global Investors, the asset management arm of Allianz SE, announced today that it has launched the Allianz RCM Global Water Fund which invests in equity securities of water-related companies worldwide.
“Less than 0.007% of all the water in the world is potable, or safe for consumption,(1) yet the demand for fresh water is steadily increasing,” said Bozena Jankowska, portfolio manager of the Allianz RCM Global Water Fund. “Solving this global water challenge demands a long-term effort from institutions around the world which we believe will require significant investment from the private sector.”
The Fund will seek long-term capital appreciation by investing in a portfolio of companies that are substantially engaged in water-related activities that relate to the quality or availability of or demand for potable and non-potable water. The following are included among these activities:
- Water production, storage, transport and distribution;
- Water supply-enhancing or water demand-reducing technologies and materials;
- Water planning, control and research;
- Water conditioning, such as filtering, desalination, disinfection and purification;
- Sewage and liquid waste treatment; and
- Water delivery-related equipment and technology, consulting or engineering services relating to any of the above-mentioned activities.
RCM Capital Management LLC, also a subsidiary of Allianz SE, serves as manager of the Fund. The portfolio management team includes portfolio manager Bozena Jankowska, head of RCM’s Sustainability Research Team based in London. Ms. Jankowska received a BS in Environmental Science from the University of Sussex and a Master’s in Environmental Technology, specializing in business and the environment, from Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine. She is joined on the Fund by portfolio manager Andreas Fruschki, who also acts as a European Healthcare Research Associate for RCM’s European Equity Research department.
“The results of a recent survey we conducted show that U.S. investors view the environment as a major long-term investment opportunity, with 71% rating the environmental technology sector a ‘buy’(2),” said Ms. Jankowska. “Our research shows that investors understand that significant environmental issues &ndash including those facing the water sector &ndash represent potential lucrative opportunities for businesses endeavoring to bring real solutions to a global market.”
Note
- World Health Organization
- This information strictly represents the results of the GfK Roper Public Affairs & Media December 2007 public opinion survey and does not represent the views of any investment advisor or mutual fund distributor. The polling results do not represent an investment recommendation or a solicitation.