Man Investments has launched a new global product which aims to offer investors access to a selection of industry-leading directional investment managers, combined in an actively managed and flexible portfolio.

Markets have rallied significantly since January 2009 on the back of considerably improved economic conditions, but many investors remain concerned that the drivers of this rally may be more technical than fundamental. This in turn raises the question of whether the upward momentum is really sustainable, stated a spokesperson.

It is now more important than ever, therefore, for investors to complement their equity exposure with investments in other asset classes, in order to spread market risk and diversify event risk, he explained.

Directional investment strategies seek to profit from uncertain economic conditions as well as to produce consistent returns over the long term. They look to capitalise from going long or short a range of different asset classes in a variety of different global markets, and have the potential to profit from market inefficiencies and trends. Directional strategies aim to provide diversification benefits to a portfolio of traditional assets and to protect that portfolio in falling markets.

Man Directional Series 2 Ltd aims to offer investors these benefits through access to a selection of the industry’s most sought after directional managers.

“Through the use of managed accounts we are able to improve transparency and control over assets while the actively managed portfolio remains flexible and adaptive to evolving market conditions,” said Christoph Möller, head of sales.

“Man Directional Series 2 Ltd is actively managed by a highly experienced investment team to ensure that the portfolio is well positioned to adapt to, and take advantage of, prevailing market conditions. As uncertainty still remains a big factor in 2010, we expect great interest in this product,” added Patrick Merville, CEO of Man Investments Middle East.-TradeArabia News Service