'S-HERTOGENBOSCH, The Netherlands, Feb. 25, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Van Lanschot Global Bond Fund receives FD Morningstar Award. The Van Lanschot Global Bond Fund has won the 2004 FD Morningstar Award in the 'global bonds' category. The investment fund owes this outstanding achievement to the high yield of 6.2% earned in 2004 and the average yield of 5.5% for the past three years. The winners were announced at the presentation of the awards on Thursday, 24 February 2005, in the presence of Mr G. Zalm, Minister of Finance.
"We once again pursued an active country and currency policy in 2004, rewarding those investors who wished to invest in global bonds with an outstanding yield. This first prize is the jewel in our crown", says Peter Faessen, fund manager of the Van Lanschot Global Bond Fund.
The decision to hold relatively few bonds issued in US dollars especially proved to be profitable. Furthermore, a strategic interest in corporate bonds was held in 2004. In particular, subordinated bonds issued by banks and insurance companies with an A- rating were clearly represented in the portfolio. Of all corporate bonds, these two sectors achieved outstanding performances. The yield of the Van Lanschot Global Bond Fund for 2004 was 6.2% and for the past three years 5.5% on an annual basis.
Yield and risk
The FD Morningstar Awards are an initiative of the Dutch daily financial newspaper Financieele Dagblad and Morningstar, the independent research bureau for investment funds. The prizes are awarded to the best-performing investment funds. The criteria to determine the winners were yields achieved in 2004 and the relationship between yield and risk over a three-year period. Awards were presented for a total of 13 investment fund categories, including Dutch, European, US, Far East and global equity funds and European and global bond funds. The nominees - three per category - were announced on 18 January 2005. The Van Lanschot Global Bond Fund came first in the global bonds category.
"Our Global Bond Fund has achieved excellent results over the past few years. We are proud of the confidence placed in us by investors and, of course, of the very satisfactory yields we earned for them. Despite the low interest rates, bonds performed well", says Bert Zijlmans, director of Van Lanschot Beheer.
Trading floor
The FD Morningstar Awards were presented during a dinner ceremony held on the former trading floor of the Euronext Amsterdam Stock Market. Prior to the presentation of the awards, Minister of Finance, Mr Gerrit Zalm, gave a talk highlighting topical investment fund issues.
Van Lanschot investment funds
F. van Lanschot Bankiers manages assets for private investors, associations, foundations, congregations, institutional investors and investment funds. Proper corporate governance, market position and outlook and transparency for shareholders, are key factors in assessing potential investments. Van Lanschot believes that these factors should lead to better performance of the company.
The yields earned on Van Lanschot's bond and share funds are:
2004 2003
Bond funds
Van Lanschot Euro Credit Fund * 7.5% 0.5%
Van Lanschot Global Bond Fund 6.2% 3.4%
Van Lanschot Convertible Portfolio 0.7% 4.3%
Share funds
Van Lanschot Dutch Equity Fund 4.0% 1.6%
Van Lanschot European Equity Fund 7.5% 11.5%
Van Lanschot Far East Equity Fund 4.6% 11.5%
Van Lanschot Global Equity Fund 2.0% 7.7%
Van Lanschot ICT Fund -5.2% 10.3%
Ducatus 6.0% 4.6%
* As from June 2003
Van Lanschot is the number one bond investor. The Van Lanschot Global Bond Fund won the FD Morningstar Award in the global bonds category. Carel van der Spek (Board of Managing Directors of Van Lanschot, left) and Peter Faessen (fund manager) are presented with the award.
Peter Faessen, fund manager of the Van Lanschot Global Bond Fund and winner of the FD Morningstar Award (photos free from copyright: Fotopersbureau Dijkstra. The photos will be sent to you by e-mail or can be requested from +31 (0)297- 566 883).
's-Hertogenbosch, 25 February 2005
The press release can be downloaded from the following link: http://hugin.info/133415/R/982145/145948.pdf
F. van Lanschot Bankiers NV is the oldest independent Dutch bank, with a history dating back to 1737. The bank focuses on three target groups: high net-worth individuals, medium-sized businesses (including family businesses) and institutional investors. Van Lanschot stands for high-quality services founded on integrated advice, personal service and customised solutions. Van Lanschot NV is listed on the Euronext Amsterdam Stock Market.