MLC AM selects Janus Henderson for $285m EM mandate

MLC Asset Management has appointed Janus Henderson Investors to take charge of a $285 million emerging markets (EM) equities mandate for institutional investors.

The mandate is to be applied to Janus Henderson’s Emerging Markets Equity strategy that first entered onto the Australian market in August 2023 and is managed by Boston-based Daniel Graña and Matt Culley.

“The most innovative and disruptive companies of this generation have supply chains that begin in emerging markets. Their growth is creating several tailwinds in sectors such as biopharmaceuticals, fintechs and green energy, and run alongside favourable rate cutting cycles and GDP growth in these regions. Asset allocators across Australia, including MLC Asset Management, have recognised that an active investment presence backed by fundamental research will be crucial to success in emerging markets,” Graña said.

The fund aims to generate consistent risk-adjusted returns by investing in a wide range of companies from strong countries with good governance.

“Janus Henderson Investors is committed to creating and developing innovative strategies to better service its clients. We see real opportunities to bring our best investment talent in both global and emerging market equities to the Australian market. Our high conviction Emerging Markets Equity strategy is just one example of where we can help investors such as MLC Asset Management build out their global equity portfolios with high quality active investment strategies,” Matt Gaden, Head of Australia at Janus Henderson, said.

Liam Wilson, portfolio manager at MLC Asset Management, said the manager was pleased to strike a partnership with Janus Henderson given their expertise in emerging markets and innovative companies.