e-fundresearch.com: What is the current size of the fund?
Marco Ruijer: USD 1,376 bln as of end of October 2013.
e-fundresearch.com: Do you also manage other funds or mandates?
Marco Ruijer: Yes, I am the lead portfolio manager for 8 other portfolios.
e-fundresearch.com: What is the total amount of assets you manage currently?
Marco Ruijer: USD 4,185 bln as per end of October 2013.
e-fundresearch.com: How long have you been in the business as a fund manager?
Marco Ruijer: I have been a portfolio manager since 2002
e-fundresearch.com: What are the main steps in your investment process and in which area is your competitive edge to add value to investors?
Marco Ruijer: We apply a comprehensive and disciplined investment process with clear identifiable steps starting with a macro view underpinned by a continuous country and instrument analysis identifying relative value trades which then is applied in our portfolio construction. This whole process is guided by a strict risk management framework.
We believe that the combination of an experienced portfolio team based in 3 locations globally and applying one investment philosophy provided the best of local insight with a global perspective.
e-fundresearch.com: Which benchmark is most relevant and how should investors compare the fund vs. benchmarks or peer groups.
Marco Ruijer: For our EMD Hard Currency portfolios we apply the JP Morgan EMBI Global Diversified index as benchmark which is the most used index for this asset class.
When comparing this index , which consists of sovereign issues only, with our fund it is relevant to know that the fund can also invest in corporate issues (max. 15%).
e-fundresearch.com: Which performance did you achieve for the fund YTD and over the past five calendar years in absolute terms and relative to relevant benchmark or other reference indices?
Marco Ruijer: YtD October 2013 the absolute gross performance of the Fund was -2,52% with an + 1,57% outperformance versus the benchmark. Over the last 5 years the Fund generated a strong 19,47% on an annual basis with an + 5,49% annual outperformance versus the benchmark.
e-fundresearch.com: What motivates you in your job?
Marco Ruijer: Many aspects in my job motivates me. First to enjoy working in a professional and vibrant organisation with very friendly, nice and knowledgeable colleagues with a focus to be an investment partners for their clients. Second to enjoy the ever expanding EMD universe with all it's facets. It is certainly never boring in our universe with such a difference in economic and political policies/conditions. And lastly the amount of interesting people you meet during country and marketing trip.
e-fundresearch.com: Which other profession would you have considered apart from becoming a fund manager?
Marco Ruijer: From early age I was always interested in numbers and other countries/cultures. I did think to become an accountant, mathmetician or photographer to explore the world. But luckily in my current position I can enjoy the wonders of numbers, countries and cultures all together!
e-fundresearch.com: Thank You!
