HARTFORD, Conn., Oct. 2, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Virtus
Investment Partners (NASDAQ: VRTS), which operates a
multi-boutique asset management business, and affiliated manager
Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management (KAR) today introduced
the Virtus KAR International Small-Mid Cap Fund (A Shares: VKIAX; C
Shares: VKICX; I Shares: VKIIX; R6 Shares: VKIRX), a new fund that
offers investors exposure to equity investments in small- and
mid-cap companies located outside the U.S.
Portfolio managers Craig
Thrasher, CFA, and Hyung Kim
use KAR's disciplined, quality-focused investment process to
identify companies with business models that possess enduring
competitive advantages and control over their markets. The managers
expect to invest in companies with attractive valuations that they
believe have low business risk, as identified by certain financial
characteristics, including consistent and profitable growth, high
returns on capital, and a low organic need for external
financing.
"At KAR, we look for unique business models that generate strong
free cash flow and returns on capital, and with management teams
that are good stewards of capital," said Doug Foreman, chief investment officer. "Our
approach allows us to maintain a competitive edge with rigorous,
fundamental research, filtering out low-quality companies in favor
of ones that we believe have potential to create and grow their
businesses."
Benchmarked to the MSCI All Country World ex US SMID Cap Index,
the fund is designed to be a high-conviction, concentrated
portfolio of approximately 30-60 holdings.
"This strategy is a natural extension for KAR, which is
respected for its deep fundamental research and ability to identify
high-quality companies that dominate their markets," said
Frank Waltman, executive vice
president, product management for Virtus. "The Virtus KAR
International Small-Mid Cap Fund can be a valuable addition to an
investor's portfolio to help them diversify to different countries,
particularly during volatile periods."
Waltman noted that the fund expands the product offerings
managed by KAR. "As with all affiliates, we look to leverage strong
performing strategies in a variety of product structures." KAR
manages domestic and international equity strategies in core, value
and growth styles across all market capitalizations, with an
emphasis on small- and mid-cap companies, and offers its strategies
in open- and closed-end mutual funds, variable insurance funds, and
separate accounts for high-net-worth and institutional clients.
About Kayne Anderson
Rudnick
Kayne Anderson
Rudnick is an investment management firm founded in 1984 by
entrepreneurs Richard Kayne and
John Anderson, for whom the Anderson
School of Management at the University of
California, Los Angeles is named. Based in Los Angeles, the firm had $29.4 billion in assets under management as of
June 30, 2019. The company builds
equity portfolios of companies that have strong, consistent growth
with low business and financial risk and manages assets for
corporations, endowments, foundations, public entities and
high-net-worth individuals. With more than 30 years of experience,
KAR is known for its commitment to high quality in its business
practices and investment strategies.
About Virtus Investment Partners, Inc.
Virtus
Investment Partners (NASDAQ: VRTS) is a distinctive
partnership of boutique investment managers singularly committed to
the long-term success of individual and institutional investors.
The company provides investment management products and services
through its affiliated managers and select subadvisers, each with a
distinct investment style, autonomous investment process, and
individual brand. Virtus Investment Partners offers access to a
variety of investment styles across multiple disciplines to meet a
wide array of investor needs. In addition to Kayne Anderson Rudnick, its affiliates include
Ceredex Value Advisors, Duff & Phelps Investment Management,
Newfleet Asset Management, Rampart Investment Management, Seix
Investment Advisors, Silvant Capital Management, Sustainable Growth
Advisers, and Virtus ETF Solutions. Additional information is
available at virtus.com.
Fund Risks:
Equity securities: The market price of equity
securities may be adversely affected by financial market, industry,
or issuer-specific events. Focus on a particular style or on small
or medium-sized companies may enhance that risk. Foreign &
Emerging Markets: Investing internationally, especially in
emerging markets, involves additional risks such as currency,
political, accounting, economic, and market risk. Limited number
of investments: Because the fund has a limited number of
securities, it may be more susceptible to factors adversely
affecting its securities than a less concentrated fund.
Non-Diversified: The fund is non-diversified and may be more
susceptible to factors negatively impacting its holdings to the
extent that each security represents a larger portion of the fund's
assets.
Please carefully consider a fund's investment objectives,
risks, charges, and expenses before investing. For this and other
information about any Virtus Mutual Fund, contact your financial
representative, call 1-800-243-4361, or visit
virtus.com for a prospectus or summary prospectus.
Read it carefully before investing.
Distributed by VP Distributors, LLC, member FINRA and
subsidiary of Virtus Investment Partners, Inc.
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SOURCE Virtus Investment Partners