BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Affiliated Managers Group, Inc. (NYSE: AMG), a global asset management company, has reached a definitive agreement with BlueCrest Capital Management LP (“BlueCrest”), to acquire the majority of BlueCrest’s equity interest in Systematica Investments LP (“Systematica”). After the closing of the transaction, Systematica’s senior management will continue to hold a majority of the equity of the business and direct its day-to-day operations.
Systematica, led by Leda Braga, is an innovative technology-driven firm focused on the rigorous application of science and technology to the investment process and is recognized as one of the leading managed futures and systematic trading managers in the world. Having delivered outstanding performance through its core strategy, BlueTrend, since its 2004 inception, Systematica became an independent organization in January 2015 following its separation from BlueCrest. Systematica now offers a number of distinctive strategies, including trend-following and quantitative equity investing in both traditional hedge fund vehicles as well as liquid alternatives. Systematica’s award-winning strategies have significantly outperformed relevant industry benchmarks and peers over the long-term.
As of October 1, 2015, Systematica managed approximately $8.8 billion in assets for a diverse global client base which includes pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, endowments, foundations, and high net worth individuals. With offices in Geneva, London, New York, Singapore, and Jersey, the firm’s 48 investment professionals are managed by Leda Braga, Chief Executive Officer, along with her senior management team.
“With an outstanding long-term investment track record and tremendous expertise in systematic trading and managed future strategies, Systematica is widely regarded as an industry leader by the most sophisticated clients worldwide,” said Sean M. Healey, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of AMG. “Through our partnership with Systematica, AMG is adding a highly-differentiated array of new strategies to our industry-leading return-oriented product set. We are very pleased to welcome Leda Braga, one of the world’s leading hedge fund managers, and her partners to our Affiliate group, and we look forward to working closely with the team.”
“We are excited to join AMG’s outstanding group of Affiliates,” said Ms. Braga. “With its unrivaled success in partnering with the best boutique investment firms around the world, and broad range of strategic capabilities, especially its leading global distribution platform, AMG is the ideal partner for Systematica. Given our proven, disciplined investment process and innovative product set, we are well-positioned for future growth, and our partnership with AMG allows us to preserve our operational and investment autonomy, which are vital to our culture and ability to continue to generate excellent returns for our clients.”
Michael Platt, BlueCrest’s Chief Executive Officer, added, “We are delighted to announce this transaction with AMG, which confirms Systematica's position as a leading provider of systematic products to the global investment community. AMG has a strong track record of helping such businesses continue to grow and develop further and we have every confidence that Systematica will greatly benefit from their expertise and support.”
As part of the transaction, Systematica’s senior partners have agreed to long-term commitments with the firm. The transaction is expected to close by December 31, 2015. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
About AMG
AMG is a global asset management company with equity investments in leading boutique investment management firms. AMG’s innovative partnership approach allows each Affiliate’s management team to own significant equity in their firm while maintaining operational autonomy. AMG’s strategy is to generate growth through the internal growth of existing Affiliates, as well as through investments in new Affiliates. In addition, AMG provides centralized assistance to its Affiliates in strategic matters, marketing, distribution, product development and operations. As of September 30, 2015, AMG’s aggregate assets under management were approximately $619 billion, pro forma for pending and closed investments, in more than 500 investment products across a broad range of investment styles, asset classes and distribution channels. For more information, please visit the Company’s website at www.amg.com.
Certain matters discussed in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements related to our expectations regarding the performance of our business, our financial results, our liquidity and capital resources and other non-historical statements. You can identify these forward-looking statements by the use of words such as “outlook,” “guidance,” “believes,” “expects,” “potential,” “continues,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “seeks,” “approximately,” “predicts,” “projects,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” “anticipates” or the negative version of these words or other comparable words. Actual results and the timing of certain events could differ materially from those projected in or contemplated by the forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including changes in the securities or financial markets or in general economic conditions, the availability of equity and debt financing, competition for acquisitions of interests in investment management firms, the ability to close pending investments, the investment performance and growth rates of our Affiliates and their ability to effectively market their investment strategies, the mix of Affiliate contributions to our earnings and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including those described under the section entitled “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, as such factors may be updated from time to time in our periodic filings with the SEC, which are accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. These factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included in this release and in our filings with the SEC. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.
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