UK life and pensions provider Friends Provident has announced that it is launching a cautious managed fund for its corporate pension platform. This new fund will enable members to diversify their investment across shares and fixed interest securities in a broadly equal split.
The company claims that, compared to a typical balanced managed fund, the new Friends Provident Cautious Managed Fund has a lower exposure to equities and higher allocation of fixed interest while also allowing for investment in property and cash.
The fund satisfies customer demand for more diversified portfolios and is a recognition that many scheme members – regardless of age – are seeking a lower risk investment for their default fund, commented Marc Haynes, manager of the fund strategy & selection group at Friends Provident. The recent volatility in world equity markets makes the launch of this fund, which has the ability to provide good returns for less risk, even more appropriate.