As investors streamline their investment portfolios to take advantage of expected opportunities in the market in 2016 and enhance their returns, Chief Executive Officer of Stanbic IBTC Asset Management Limited, Bunmi Dayo-Olagunju, has called on investors to take advantage of mutual funds to hedge their risks.

Dayo-Olagunju made the call in Lagos on Tuesday in her office. She said considering the volatility in the equities and commodity markets, it is imperative for investors to diversify their portfolios by investing in mutual funds and other investment vehicles.

According to her, the attractiveness of mutual funds or collective schemes is the number of advantages it offers over other investment vehicles, such as flexibility, which makes it possible to either invest a lump sum or make regular instalments every month; liquidity, which means the funds can be accessed at any time by the investor who may require money for a variety of purposes such as healthcare, education, vacation and housing. Others include steady returns, professional management, and risk reduction, among others.

“Mutual funds offer investors the advantages of portfolio diversification and professional management at low-cost. These advantages are particularly important because diversification and professional management ensure steady returns when compared to other investment instruments. Mutual funds offer an opportunity for steady growth in assets while reducing the attendant risk associated with investing in individual securities,” said Dayo-Olagunju.

She said Stanbic IBTC Asset Management Limited is particularly committed to ensuring that investors are availed the opportunity of viable investment vehicles so that they can spread their risks, which is why the company continues to develop an array of products targeted at the needs of Nigerians.

“Stanbic IBTC Asset Management Limited remains totally committed to helping Nigerians build a portfolio of financial instruments from which they can meet their unique investment objectives. We must reiterate that there are numerous benefits in investing in mutual funds, especially the expertise that is brought to bear in maximizing returns to investors without compromising safety.”

Prominent mutual funds under management by Stanbic IBTC Asset Management Limited include the Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund, Nigeria’s largest equity mutual fund; the Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund, Nigeria’s first and largest socially responsible mutual fund; and Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund, currently one of the fastest growing mutual fund in the country, which offers investors better bargaining power in the money market. In 2013, the Stanbic IBTC Imaan Fund, a mutual fund tailored to the needs of those seeking investments compliant with their religious principles and beliefs, was registered.

In recognition of its steady performance and track record, Stanbic IBTC Asset Management Limited was awarded the ‘Best Mutual Fund Provider Nigeria 2015’, ‘Best Asset Manager Nigeria 2015’ and ‘Best Non Pension Fund Manager Nigeria 2015’ at the 2015 Global Banking & Finance Review Awards, while the Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund was assigned a fund rating of Aa(f) for the 4th consecutive year by Nigeria’s foremost credit rating agency, Agusto & Co.

Stanbic IBTC Asset Management Limited is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC, which is part of the Standard Bank Group, Africa’s largest bank by assets and market capitalization. Standard Bank Group has been in operation for 153 years and has direct, on-the-ground representation in 20 African countries.  Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC provides the full spectrum of financial services with a clear focus on three main business pillars – Corporate and Investment Banking, Personal and Business Banking and Wealth Management.