Alexforbes has launched its Discretionary Fund Managers (DFM) Manager Watch survey, aimed at addressing industry challenges such as the need for better transparency and benchmarking.
The survey provides independent financial advisers (IFAs) and investors with comprehensive, up-to-date performance data.
Don Andrews (pictured), head of the Alexforbes Investment Survey team, noted the importance of the new survey in filling gaps in performance reporting and benchmarking.
“This initiative underscores our commitment to equipping IFAs and investors with reliable data and deeper insights, ultimately fostering a more transparent and informed investment environment,” said Andrews.
The DFM Manager Watch survey categorises multi-asset class portfolios into four groups:
- Low equity: Portfolios focused on stability and reduced volatility, with lower equity exposure.
- Medium equity: Balanced portfolios catering to moderate risk appetites, offering a balanced approach to risk and reward.
- High equity: Portfolios for higher risk tolerance, aiming for long-term growth despite increased volatility.
- Global-only balanced: Portfolios focused on globally diversified investments.
Additionally, the survey features a global-only equities category.
The October 2024 survey includes four DFMs, representing 41 portfolios, with a total of R45 billion in assets under management.
Alexforbes anticipates that the November 2024 survey will expand, with two more DFMs joining, and will introduce additional categories, including bonds, equity, money market, and property.
The initiative builds on Alexforbes’s Institutional Manager Watch and Retail Manager Watch surveys. The Institutional Manager Watch provides insights into institutional investment managers’ performance and strategies, while the Retail Manager Watch, launched in July last year, offers data segmented into low, medium, and high equity categories, aligned with ASISA guidelines.
Read: Performance tool for IFAs in retail investment sector
Access the DFM Manager Watch survey here.
To be added to the Alexforbes Institutional, Retail or DFM Manager Watch survey distribution lists, email managerwatch@alexforbes.com.
