
CI Global Asset Management (“CI GAM”) has introduced the CI Auspice Alternative Diversified Corporate Class (“the Fund”), presenting investors with a systematic, trend-following, multi-strategy approach aimed at delivering returns independent of traditional asset classes.
Employing a disciplined, rules-based methodology, the Fund engages in both long and short positions across commodities and financial interests. Its objective is to furnish returns that are non-correlated with conventional alternative strategies and fixed income, while displaying a negative correlation with equities. This strategy enhances diversification and offers potential “crisis alpha,” delivering superior performance during market downturns. Additionally, the Fund’s focus on commodities and trend-following strategy can act as a hedge against inflation.
Jennifer Sinopoli, Executive Vice-President and Head of Distribution for CI GAM, commented, “CI Auspice Alternative Diversified Corporate Class is a unique mandate that offers investors enhanced diversification benefits and potential downside protection in volatile markets. It can help to strengthen portfolios in an uncertain investment landscape that, following spikes in inflation and interest rates, is vastly changed from previous years.”
The Fund predominantly invests in units of Auspice Diversified Trust, managed by Auspice Capital Advisors Ltd. (“Auspice”), serving as the Fund’s sub-advisor. Auspice is recognized as Canada’s largest active commodity and Commodity Trading Advisor (CTA) fund manager.
Tim Pickering, Chief Investment Officer and Co-Founder of Auspice, added, “With a 17-year history of delivering commodity and crisis alpha to investors, Auspice Diversified Trust has the longest track record in its category in Canada, and we’re pleased to partner with CI GAM to provide expanded access to this successful strategy.”
Given the current volatile environment characterized by structural inflation shifts and rising global tensions, there’s a growing demand for non-correlated returns, which this mandate aims to fulfill.
CI GAM continues to broaden its alternative investment solutions, leveraging its internal investment team and partnering with specialized third-party managers like Auspice. With approximately $3.8 billion in total assets (as of December 31, 2023; excluding cryptocurrency funds), CI GAM is a leading player in the alternative investment segment in Canada, offering a range of liquid alternatives mandates and private markets solutions.
The CI Auspice Alternative Diversified Corporate Class is available for an initial minimum investment of $500, with a medium risk rating and a Series F management fee of 1.00%. Additionally, the Fund implements a performance fee, subject to a hurdle rate and a high-water mark. Further information can be found in the simplified prospectus.