Makaseb Qatar Fund Rated as Top YTD Return Fund in Qatar

04-Sep-2007

Mashreq bank’s Makaseb Qatar Equity Fund (MQEF) was recently rated top performing mutual fund in Qatar by ABQ Zawya in terms of year to date returns (YTD).

Over the past twelve months the MQEF has outperformed the MSCI Qatar Index by 5%. “MQEF can point to a successful track record in asset management and its flagship investment funds have been outperforming market benchmarks and peers on a regular basis since their inception. We are very pleased to be recognized as the leading fund investing in Qatar,” commented Imran Ahmed, Managing Director, Mashreq Asset Management. “This accolade recognizes the outstanding performance and sound management of our clients’ investments and is a positive example of our dedicated approach to accruing investment value”.

Makaseb Qatar Equity Fund (MQEF) aims to achieve long term capital appreciation through investment in shares listed on the Doha Stock Market. The portfolio is constructed after careful evaluation of various factors including the liquidity of the stock, company fundamentals, profitability, and overall portfolio risk considerations.  “MQEF’s approach to fund management involves proactively identifying investment opportunities and creating investment vehicles to take advantage of these opportunities while maintaining acceptable levels of risk,” said Ahmed.

The Portfolio Manager undertakes a top-down approach to identify sectors in Qatar that are structurally competitive relative to their regional and global peers (e.g. the Petrochemical sector), and are most likely to benefit from high public spending and infrastructure investing (e.g. Banking).  The fund also leverages on the favorable demographics (e.g. Telecoms) which is a theme in the entire GCC region. A bottom-up review is blended with the top-down, to identify companies that look attractive from valuation perspective. That is, companies which have a sustained level of profitability, and high quality of income.

MQEF is an open-ended investment denominated in US dollars which aims to achieve long term capital growth by investing primarily in equities listed on the Doha Securities Market (DSM).  The MQEF has provided a year to date return of 17%, outperforming its benchmark by 4%.

The fund requires a minimum investment of $10,000 and subscriptions and redemptions take place on a twice-weekly basis.

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About MakasebQatarEquity Fund

MQEF is the second in Makaseb Funds Company BSC © (MFC) series of mutual funds products. The fund aims to achieve long term capital appreciation through investment in shares listed on the Doha Securities Market. MQEF will remain fully invested through a complete market cycle and will enable investors, both nationals and expatriates, to invest in Qatar's burgeoning economic growth.

MFC was incorporated in 2005 as an exempt stock company to provide an umbrella structure enabling it to establish several mutual funds tailored to suit different investment strategies. Mashreq is the investment manager of MFC while Gulf Investment Corporation (GIC) is its custodian and administrator. International accountancy firm Deloitte is the auditor and Ernst & Young is its registrar and transfer agents.

For further information, please contact:                                  

Gayatri Banga
Associate - Marketing & Development
Asset Management
Treasury and Capital Markets
Mashreq
Tel: +9714 207 8535
Email: contact@makaseb.com 

Iman Issa
Account Executive         
Gulf Hill & Knowlton
Tel: 04 334 4930
Email: Iman.issa@hillandknowlton.com