20 years since the launch of the first Collective Investment Scheme investing in the local market

Valletta Fund Management Limited marks the 20th anniversary of the Vilhena Maltese Opportunities Fund. The Fund, formerly known as the La Valette Malta Fund, was launched on 6th June 1996 and was the first ever domestic fund investing in local bonds and equities issued by local companies.

“The Vilhena Maltese Opportunities Fund has been designed for those investors aiming to achieve a diversified exposure to the local bond and equity market,” explained Mark Agius, Executive Head of Valletta Fund Management.

In fact, The Vilhena Maltese Op- portunities Fund has more than 30% of its underlying assets invested in local corporate bonds and Maltese Government stocks and around 60% invested in equities of companies listed in Malta. This Fund is suitable for investors seeking an investment solution, managed by a team of asset managers providing access to the local market.

Since May 2014, the Vilhena Maltese Opportunities Fund has been classified as a UCITS Fund, which offers investors a number of key benefits. UCITS is the gold standard for retail funds. Apart from providing immediate liquidity, UCITS funds provide in- vestors with a risk management framework, designed to ensure adequate diversification.

Mr Agius added, “I would like to extend our appreciation to all investors who contributed to the growth of a Fund that over the past 20 years yielded an annualised return of 8.01%”. He continued, “With over 2,800 investors, the Fund has come a long way in spite of all the ups and downs of the local equity market. The Fund has invested in a mix of corporate and local government bonds, aimed to reduce the level of volatility when markets go through negative periods.”

The Vilhena Maltese Opportunities Fund has two share classes, an accumulator class for those investors aiming to achieve growth, and a distribution class for those requiring a stream of income from the underlying investment.

Past performance is not a guarantee of future performance and the value of the investment can go down as well as up.

Further information as well as copies of the prospectus, KIID document and factsheet can be obtained from Valletta Fund Management Limited, Bank of Valletta Branches and Investment Centre in Malta or Gozo and other licensed financial intermediaries.