London  18.03.2009 - Managing Partners Limited (MPL), the boutique fund manager, is staging free masterclasses for IFAs and institutional investors on traded life policies (TLPs) in Jersey and Guernsey following a major surge in interest in the asset class from investors in the islands.

TLPs are gaining increasing recognition for their ability to deliver steady, predictable returns, irrespective of what is happening to other asset classes. They are becoming very attractive to investors seeking alternative investments following the major losses seen on financial markets over the last two years.

Channel Island investors have increased significantly their investment in MPL’s Traded Policies Fund, which invests in TLPs. In the first quarter of 2009 they invested twice as much as in the whole of 2008. This follows stellar performance by the fund in 2008: the fund’s GBP Growth share class, which is available to retail investors, returned 10.47% net of all charges in the 12 months to 1 January 2009 and the GBP Institutional share class, which is also open to pension funds, delivered 10.56% net of all charges over the same period.

The returns make the fund one of the outstanding performers of 2008, which saw many funds deliver double-digit losses as their underlying asset classes plummeted for the second year in a row.

Research carried out among IFAs and institutional investors at a similar masterclass in London showed that more than two out of five (44%) attendees planned to increase their exposure to TLPs by up to 10%; over one in 10 (12%) said they would do so by 11-20%; and nearly one in four (24%) said they would do so by more than 20%. None said they would reduce their exposure while the remainder (8%) were undecided.

Favourability towards TLPs was also high in delegates. Four out of five (80%) of the respondents said they were either very favourable (32%) or quite favourable (48%). Only 16% said they were undecided. None said they were unfavourable.

Jeremy Leach, Managing Director of MPL commented: “Investors are looking for alternatives after suffering deep losses in equities, bonds and even cash funds over the last two years. Our Traded Policies Fund delivered double-digit returns in 2008, which was not a record that the vast majority of investment funds could boast.

“Investors in the Channel Islands are increasingly recognising the benefits of TLPs, so we are very pleased to offer them these free masterclasses and provide them with more information about the benefits of this rapidly growing asset class.”

Attendees at the masterclasses will also be able to pick up free copies of the Merlin Stone Report: The Market for Traded Life Policies, which was published by Professor Merlin Stone of the Bristol Business School in December. The report provides a comprehensive guide to the TLP market backed up by extensive research.

TLPs are US-issued whole of life policies sold before their maturity date to allow the original owners to enjoy some of the benefits during their own lifetimes. TLPs are purchased at a discount from their maturity values, which in the majority of cases is fixed at outset. This means they are guaranteed to rise in value. The TLP market has seen huge growth from $50m in 1990 to $20bn in 2007.

The masterclasses will be held at the Royal Yacht Hotel, Weighbridge, St Helier, Jersey on Wednesday, 25 March and the Old Government House Hotel, St Peter Port, Guernsey on Thursday, 26 March. Registration is at 9.00am and with a buffet lunch at 12.30pm.

To book a free place, IFAs and institutional investors can call 0845 434 7725 or send an email to: masterclass@managing-partners.com.
 
For further information on Managing Partners Limited range of funds, call 0207- 965- 4631 or visit (www.managing-partners.com).

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