Platinum scores strong global share rating

The Assirt research house has issued a “strong” rating to the international equity management capabilities of Platinum Asset Management in its latest half yearly review of the fund manager.

According to Assirt, the rating reflects a high level of understanding amongst Platinum analysts of the companies in which the group invests.

The Assirt report also said the research house was comfortable with Platinum’s preparedness to employ short selling as part of its portfolio construction.

But Assirt research analyst Jody Fitzgerald says investors needed to understand that the short selling of stocks would mean that Platinum’s returns would vary considerably from the index.

“Investors should be aware that the process has an absolute return focus which will result in the portfolio structure and returns varying significantly from the MSCI index,” she says.

Assirt also praised Platinum for dealing with its rapidly burgeoning funds under management, a situation prompted by the group’s strong investment performance.

As of March this year, Platinum had $5.5 billion under management, more than double the funds under management it had two years ago.

Assirt also reassessed Platinum’s European and Japan funds as part of the review, awarding each of them a five star rating.