Asset-manager PIMCO said early Monday that it has launched a U.S. distribution platform -- PIMCO Investments LLC, a new broker-dealer -- which means that both financial advisors and individual investors no longer need to buy its funds via parent firm Allianz Global Investors.
“By establishing a fully integrated distribution platform, we intend to provide greater access to PIMCO’s global investment solutions, intellectual capital and investment analysis, which are the core of our approach to delivering consistent risk adjusted returns to PIMCO’s clients,” said COO Douglas Hodge in a news release.
The new distribution platform is part of PIMCO’s aim to expand its retail results and interaction with financial advisors, the company says.
“PIMCO’s Global Wealth Management organization now has more than 200 professionals who are fully dedicated to serving financial advisors and their clients,” said Jon Short, head of the firm’s global wealth management business and New York office, in a statement.
“We have significantly expanded our focus on the retail segment through this effort and will enhance our partnership with advisors through our dedicated focus on providing superior client service, knowledge sharing and investment performance,” Short added.
PIMCO, known for its bond funds, is currently the fifth-largest U.S. fund family in terms of assets under management, net of proprietary fund of funds, according to the Financial Research Corp. It had about $460 billion in AUM as of Dec. 31, 2010, and is led by CEO Mohamed El-Erian (left).
Its assets grew 26% in 2010 and 96% over 2009-2010, says FRC.
The PIMCO Total Return Fund was the best selling fund in 2010 with $26 billion in net inflows and also topped the charts in 2009, with $53.3 billion in net inflows.
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