SMSF demand drives down minimum entry levels: Lazard

Demand for access to emerging markets and global listed infrastructure, from self-directed investors, has seen Lazard Asset Management Pacific Co cut its minimum investment requirements for two funds.

The investment manager announced the move to lower the minimum investment threshold to $20,000 for its Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Fund and Lazard Global Listed Infrastructure Fund.

Lazard Asia-Pacific chief executive, Robert Prugue, said the move came in response to demand from self-directed investors and self-managed superannuation funds (SMSFs) for access to the funds.

"The lowering of minimum investments has got a positive response from the retail market in Australia," he said.

"We have seen heightened interest from investors as awareness of both the performance of our funds and understanding of our active investment approach has increased."

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"Our approach to investing is based on bottom-up research focused on identifying under-valued companies and investing in them with a long-term time horizon.

"It's an approach that is resonating with investors and it's something the firm has been doing successfully for a long time now."

Prugue said the two funds had strong long-term track records and were managed by highly regarded investment teams.

"Emerging markets equities as a whole are currently trading at low relative valuations that we find compelling as long-term investors," he said

"However, investing selectively in emerging markets equities is key. We only invest in companies that we believe exhibit strong, sustainable financial productivity at attractive valuations.

"The Global Listed Infrastructure fund aims to facilitate investment in long duration assets, which produce real returns over a long term time horizon. In an uncertain world, this fund offers real diversification benefits for an Australian investor's portfolio."

The decision to cut the minimum investment requirements has brought the two funds into line with seven other Lazard funds, the Lazard Australian Equity Fund, Lazard Select Australian Equity Fund, Lazard Australian Diversified Income Fund, Lazard Emerging Markets Total Return Debt Fund, Lazard Global Equity Franchise Fund, Lazard Global Small Cap Fund, and the Lazard Global Equity Advantage Plus Fund.