City Asset Management has removed commodity exposure from its model portfolios in favour of international equities and alternative strategies.
The group said it had removed its 4 per cent commodity exposure in its unitised model portfolios in April and put the proceeds towards increasing international equities from 12 per cent to 14 per cent, and alternative strategies from 15.5 per cent to 17 per cent.
James Calder, research director at City Asset Management, said he had decided to increase merger arbitrage strategies because they appeared “particularly attractive given the prospect of increased corporate deal activity resulting from the cash-rich nature of many businesses”.
He added that trend-following funds were “exploiting strong market momentum” after a “disappointing” 2012.
Mr Calder also said international equities, including emerging markets, had been increased as valuations looked “attractive relative to their own history and when compared to global equities”.
