ANZ Shakes Up Investment Strategy with New Manager Appointment

Highlights:

• Strategic Shift: ANZ Investments replaces MFS Institutional Advisors with BlackRock Investment Management to manage international equity exposure.
• Long-Term Focus: The move aligns with ANZ’s commitment to delivering strong long-term investment outcomes for KiwiSaver and other fund holders.
• Significant Impact: BlackRock's strategy will manage around 12% of ANZ’s total funds under management, with further partnerships under consideration.

BlackRock Replaces MFS as International Equity Manager

ANZ Investments has announced a strategic change in its fund management lineup, replacing MFS Institutional Advisors (MFS) with BlackRock Investment Management (Australia) as one of its external managers. This move is part of ANZ’s ongoing efforts to optimize its investment strategies across its KiwiSaver schemes, investment funds, and discretionary investment management services.

Enhancing Long-Term Investment Outcomes

Fiona Mackenzie, ANZ’s Managing Director for Funds Management, emphasized the importance of active investment management in delivering strong long-term results for their clients. “ANZ Investments remains committed to making informed investment decisions that we believe will yield strong long-term outcomes for our customers,” Mackenzie said. She highlighted the bank’s focus on continuously improving and growing its funds management business to better serve New Zealanders.

Adaptation and Evolution in a Competitive Market

In a bid to stay competitive and meet the evolving needs of its customers, ANZ Investments regularly reviews its external fund managers. This includes a thorough assessment of each manager’s contribution to risk management and returns at the portfolio level. The decision to bring BlackRock on board reflects ANZ’s confidence in the global investment giant’s ability to navigate various market environments effectively.

“We believe the introduction of BlackRock’s strategy will positively impact our portfolio, given its active management approach and resilience in diverse market conditions,” Mackenzie added.

The BlackRock-managed portfolio will account for approximately 12% of ANZ’s total funds under management, marking a significant portion of their international equity exposure.

Future Collaborations on the Horizon

ANZ Investments is also exploring further potential partnerships with both BlackRock and Mercer, indicating ongoing efforts to enhance its investment strategies and deliver better outcomes for its customers.

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