In the wake of the GFC and continuing market uncertainty, it's becoming very clear that not all investment firms are equal.
In today's post GFC world, some are better placed than others to move quickly and stay responsive both to changing investor needs and the new dynamism of the market. And it may be some of the larger asset managers who will be left lagging behind.

Omega's Managing Director, George Vassos, cited recent mandate wins and commitments (see below) as evidence of the growing trend for institutional managers to seek exposure to what is -­ perhaps counter-intuitively - now seen as the greater security of smaller, more nimble asset management firms.

Mr Vassos said that these recent successes are due to Omega's specialised capability to operate in the new investment environment, coupled with the conditions currently pertaining in the debt market.

"Our global investment capability offers clients increased opportunities, especially given that the domestic fixed income market - to which there's been a traditional bias - can be somewhat limited. Our focus is on a more robust approach to fixed interest portfolio construction drawing on both local and international resources to provide institutions and superannuation funds with the quality defensive investments they are looking for," he said.

"Another plus for us is our ability to seize on upcoming opportunities as the market continues to shake out post GFC. It's no secret that the bigger firms have more difficulty moving and that's not the case with us. So, in the current ‘wait and see' attitude that's prevailing in some international markets, we are very well placed to capitalise on inevitable openings as a result of the driving need to fund post-GFC growth and rebuilding." 

The upshot for investors is that boutiques such as Omega are stacking up favourably against some of the larger, more unwieldy firms.

 "The environment has shifted. The market is indicating a preference for differentiated asset managers which have the benefit of being unencumbered by scale and are highly focused on delivering value in the fixed income asset class," he concluded.

"We feel very satisfied that we are offering the dual benefits of both security and speedy movement when it's needed - a combination the bigger players can find very difficult to emulate."

Macquarie Financial Services Holdings Pty Ltd, which is part of Macquarie Group, became a shareholder in Omega Global Investors in May 2008, taking a 19.9 per cent stake in the business.

Recent wins for Omega include a Global Government Bond mandate awarded by leading multi-manager fund OptiMix. 

 "Omega is focused on maximizing returns whilst applying dynamic controls to minimise downside risk. Omega's size allows them to move quickly and stay responsive applying the smart use of technology and utilising state of the art electronic gateways for trading in global bonds," said Mr Emmanuel Calligeris, Chief Investment Officer of ING Investment Management - Multi Strategies Group.

Omega is also due to launch two new funds next month, partly as a result of developing fresh solutions to specific client needs.

ENDS