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Pioneer Global Asset Management S.p.A ("Pioneer Global"), a subsidiary of
UniCredito Italiano S.p.A., today announced it has acquired U.K.-based
Momentum Group ("Momentum"), a leader in the fund of hedge funds
marketplace, for $110 million. The acquisition is subject to regulatory
approval.
The purchase of Momentum is part of Pioneer Global’s and its affiliates’
("Pioneer") plans to expand aggressively into the fast growing alternative
investments arena. It broadens Pioneer’s existing alternative investment
capabilities, which are managed through its affiliate, Pioneer Alternative
Investment Management Limited (PAI), and have focused on single
manager/strategy funds.
"Pioneer and Momentum each have a long heritage of innovative and
profitable product development," said Dario Frigerio, CEO of Pioneer
Global. "These synergies, combined with Pioneer’s strong global
distribution capability, will help Pioneer become a leading presence in
the growing hedge fund industry."
The alternative investments industry-including funds of hedge funds,
single strategy hedge funds and associated structured and custom
products-has seen significant growth in recent years. There is growing
investor interest from institutions and the high net worth market in
achieving greater diversification through exposure to alternative
investments. Alternative investment products tend to have a very low
correlation with other traditional asset classes, such as stock and bond
mutual funds.
"We believe institutions and high net worth individuals will continue to
show strong interest in alternative investments as they come to appreciate
the attractive risk/reward potential these products offer," said Alberto
La Rocca, CEO of PAI and new Global Head of Alternative Investments for
Pioneer Global. "We expect the acquisition of Momentum will give Pioneer
the range of alternative products and the scale to capitalize on the
anticipated expansion of the market and to grow assets under management
and market share."
"Momentum and Pioneer are an excellent strategic fit," said Michael
Goldman, CEO of Momentum. "Pioneer expects to benefit from Momentum’s
brand name and long track record, while Momentum’s products and clients
stand to benefit from the substantial corporate backing of the UniCredito
Italiano Group."
"U.S. financial advisors are seeing a growing interest in alternative
products from their clients," said Dan Geraci, CEO of Pioneer Investment
Management USA Inc. "The addition of hedge funds will broaden Pioneer’s
range of investment products and help to ensure that we are able to serve
the needs of our distribution partners in every type of market
environment."
Pioneer Global manages approximately $99 billion (as of March 31, 2002),
including over $20 billion for U.S. investors, under the name Pioneer
Investments®. Pioneer’s flagship fund, Pioneer Fund, was founded in 1928
and is the fourth oldest mutual fund in the United States. PAI was formed
in 1999.
Single strategy and structured products are managed from the Dublin
office, with Italian domiciled funds of hedge funds managed from Milan.
PAI (Dublin) is authorized by the Central Bank of Ireland and PAI (Milan)
is authorized by the Bank of Italy. Formed in 1987, Momentum is domiciled
and registered in Bermuda and has offices in Australia, Bermuda, Hong
Kong, Israel, London, and New York. Assets under management of the
combined alternative investment companies will be approximately $1.76
billion.
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©2002 Pioneer Funds Distributor, Inc. is the underwriter of Pioneer mutual
funds. For information about the Pioneer Fund, please request a free kit
from an investment representative or Pioneer at 800-225-6292. The kit
includes a prospectus describing charges and expenses. Please read the
prospectus carefully before you invest or send money. This material is not
a solicitation to buy or an offer to sell any other product mentioned.
Pioneer Investment Management, Inc. Member of the UniCredito Italiano
Banking Group, Register of Banking Groups