When combined with the principles of fairness and transparency that are required in all Islamic investment activities, the sector has seen a recent surge in interest from ethical and ESG
focused funds. This additional capital has only served to increase the funding deployed by Shariah compliant investment houses, such as Rosette Merchant Bank.
Capitala Group is a provider of capital to lower and traditional middle market companies, through its family of credit
focused funds. Since 1998, Capitala Group's managed funds have participated in over 143 transactions, representing over USD 1.4 billion of investments in a variety of industries throughout North America.
Three Omani companies are planning to establish real estate investment trust (REIT) fund, following the market regulator's announcement of a new regulation for real estate
focused funds.
According to the Emerging Markets Private Equity Association, more than $4 billion has been raised for Sub Saharan Africa-
focused funds, while a number of managers--Helios Investment Partners, Abraaj Capital and Development Partners International notable among them--closed funds near $1 billion.
As asset management companies, or AMCs, launch funds that invest in just a few stocks, the recent being Motilal Oswal's MOST Focused Midcap 30 and Birla Sun Life's Focused Equity Ser 1, we look into the merits and demerits of investing in
focused funds.
After a seven-month span of consistent positive flows ending November 2012, during which mortgage-backed securities
focused funds took in an estimated $6.1 billion, the group has seen outflows in three of the last four months.
But, unlike several recent South-Africa-only
focused funds, Calvert New Africa has a 50% to 60% South Africa weighting; its remaining investments are in 14 African stock markets open to foreign investors.
The number of IPO
focused funds in MENA could be on the rise with more IPOs set to enter MENA markets in the next two years, which could bring in greater investment and IPO opportunities.
There are many lessons that have been learned from the dotcom collapse, including the fact that sector-specific or
focused funds do very well if the sector was faring decently.
Forty-three region
focused funds were launched by financial institutions in the first half of 2009, compared to 39 in the first half of 2008.
Capitala Group is a provider of capital to lower and traditional middle market companies, through its family of credit
focused funds. Since 1998, Capitala Group's managed funds have participated in over 140 transactions, representing over USD 1.3 billion of investments in a variety of industries throughout North America.
Assets in Greater China
focused funds reached $12.9 billion, the highest level on record