17.2 Overview Of Managed Products

Overview of Managed Products

Managed products are investment vehicles that pool capital to purchase securities according to a specific investment mandate. These funds are overseen by investment professionals, who earn management fees for executing the fund’s mandate.

The investment mandate for a fund establishes whether it will pursue an active or passive management strategy.

Active Management

Active fund managers make decisions based on an outlook for markets and securities, which are identified in the fund’s investment mandate. The goal in active management is typically to outperform a specific benchmark index.

Advantages of Active Management:

• Potential for Higher Returns: Active managers aim to outperform the market by picking ‘winners.’
• Flexibility: Ability to adjust the portfolio in response to market conditions.
• Risk Management: Managers can avoid sectors with poor outlook.

Disadvantages of Active Management:

• Higher Costs: Due to management fees and trading costs.
• Higher Risk: Risk of underperforming the market.
• Tax Inefficiency: Frequent trading can result in higher tax liabilities.

Passive Management

Managers of passively managed funds do not selectively choose individual securities; they aim to replicate the returns of a market index. This involves taking on the systematic risk associated with the chosen asset class.

Advantages of Passive Management:

• Lower Costs: Minimal trading results in lower fees and expenses.
• Predictable Returns: Should closely track the performance of the underlying index.
• Tax Efficiency: Fewer trades typically result in lower tax liabilities.

Disadvantages of Passive Management:

• Limited Flexibility: Cannot react to market conditions and economic outlooks.
• No Potential to Outperform: Measured against market or index; no ability to beat the benchmark.

Types of Managed Products

Managed products are available in various forms, each with specific characteristics and benefits:

• Mutual Funds: Pools of funds collected from multiple investors, diversified across a wide array of securities.
• Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs): Similar to mutual funds but traded on stock exchanges like individual stocks.
• Segregated Funds: Insurance products that combine features of mutual funds with guarantees on deposits or returns.
• Liquid Alternatives: Modern investment funds seeking unconventional assets and strategies while providing daily liquidity.
• Hedge Funds: Use various investment strategies to earn higher returns, often employing significant leverage.
• Listed Private Equity Funds: Funds providing access to private equity through listed vehicles.
• Closed-End Funds: Pooled investment funds issuing a fixed number of shares, often traded on exchanges.
• Labour-Sponsored Venture Capital Corporations (LSVCC): Funds that provide venture capital to small enterprises and come with tax incentives.

Glossary and Definitions

• Systematic Risk: The risk inherent to the entire market or a market segment.
• Benchmark Index: A standard against which the performance of a security, mutual fund, or investment manager can be measured.
• Management Fee: A fee paid by an investment fund to its investment advisor for its services.

Key Takeaways

• Managed products offer the expertise of professional management for pursuing specific investment goals.
• Active management aims to outperform market benchmarks through selective security choices, while passive management seeks to track and replicate benchmark performance.
• Various types of managed products exist, each tailored for different investment needs and risk tolerances.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Are managed funds inherently better than individual stock investments?

A1: It depends on the investor’s goals, knowledge, time commitment, and risk tolerance. Managed funds leverage professional expertise, which may be beneficial for those lacking investment experience.

Q2: Do passive funds always have lower fees than active funds?

A2: Generally, yes. The cost structures of passive funds are typically lower due to fewer transactions and less extensive management.

Charts and Diagrams

    pie title Managed Product Categories by Popularity
	    "Mutual Funds" : 40
	    "Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs)" : 30
	    "Segregated Funds" : 15
	    "Hedge Funds" : 10
	    "Other" : 5

Overall, understanding the landscape of managed products, including their advantages and disadvantages, can help investors make more informed decisions in aligning their investment strategies with their financial goals.

In this section

• 17.2.1 Advantages And Disadvantages Of Managed Products
  Understanding the benefits and downsides of managed products can help investors make informed decisions. This guide explores the pros and cons in-depth, offering insights into professional management, economies of scale, diversification, tax benefits, liquidity, and potential drawbacks like lack of transparency, high fees, and volatility.