Standard Investment Bank multi-asset fund posts returns at 19pc

Standard Investment Bank (SIB) multi-asset strategy fund MansaX has posted a similar return to investors in 2020 at 18.8 per cent from 19 per cent in 2019.

MansaX’s returns before fees meanwhile stood at 23.8 per cent matching up a 24 per cent gross capital appreciation to investors registered in the previous year.

The comparable returns have been attributed the resilience of the fund whose investment primary composes of investments in online foreign exchange markets, commodities and precious metals.

“2020 was a year characterised by high levels of uncertainty in the local and global markets. Even so, MansaX was able to prove its resilience by delivering an impressive return to our clients while protecting their capital from the downside risks attributed to the prevailing uncertainties,” stated SIB Executive Director for Global Markets Nahason Mungai.

The fund further grew its assets under management to Ksh.3.1 billion as it benefited from investor’s improved trust in SIB’s strategy.

The high yields put the fund above traditional asset classes including government bonds, real estate and stocks.

The return of a one-year Treasury bill (T-bill) in 2020 for instance stood at 8.3 per cent ahead of average real estate returns of 5.9 per cent and a -8.6 per cent negative return from stocks listed at the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE).

The fund was incepted in January of 2019 and is regulated by the Capital Markets Authority (CMA).

Last year, the fund’s portfolio profited from investors flight to safer investment classes such as gold-a precious commodity following the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic.