FRANCE – SEI Investments has launched a new range of multi-manager funds aimed at French retail investors - an investment approach usually associated with institutional investors, through its Paris-based CCF-SEI joint venture.

The new funds, called Elysées Multi-Manager, are designed to meet retail investors’ needs in terms of performance, risk aversion and investment horizon, using SEI’s find manager selection process based on quantitative criteria (performance analysis), fundamental criteria (stock picking skills and manager analysis) and qualitative criteria (analysis of investment philosophy and process).

The funds are split according to four investment profiles to be invested mainly in Euro-zone. The 'prudent' profile will be split 75% bonds, 25% equities; 'balanced' will be split 50-50 between bonds and equities; 'dynamic' will go for 75% equities and 25% bonds and 'bold' will be 100% equities. Altogether 40% of the assets will have international exposure.

Says Joe Ujobai, managing director of SEI Europe : “European investors are rapidly accepting the manager-of-managers approach as it provides appropriate returns for risk taken.”