Neuberger Berman Unveils New Fund

Investment management firm Neuberger Berman Group LLC introduced its latest Emerging Markets Income Fund, which will trade under the tickers NERAZ, NERCX, and NERIX.

Managers expect projected acceleration among emerging economies to make the new fund an effective tool for clients to improve portfolio diversity and grow incomes in a generally low-yield investment environment. They will take an opportunistic approach to emerging market debt in the form of hard currency, local currency and corporate bonds.  

The firm selected Rob Drijkoningen and Gorky Urquieta, co-heads of Neuberger Berman’s emerging markets debt team, to head up the fund’s investment efforts.

Never miss a story — sign up for PLANADVISER newsletters to keep up on the latest retirement plan adviser news.

“We believe the structural case for EMD remains strong, as investors increasingly recognize the economic significance, improved credit quality, and depth of emerging markets economies and capital markets,” Drijkoningen said.

Urquieta agreed, adding that emerging market debt products should continue to benefit as investors in the U.S. and internationally continue to add emerging markets to their fixed income exposure.

Additional details about the fund, including its prospectus, can be found at www.nb.com

Commonfund Expands West Coast Team

Institutional investment manager Commonfund grew its San Francisco office through a series of hires and relocations.

Kent Scott, Commonfund Capital managing director, relocated from the company’s headquarters in Wilton, CT. New hires include Jeffrey Stabler, managing director of consultant relations, and two client service directors, Jennifer Seidler and Issa Brant.

Scott’s relocation comes after 11 years with Commonfund. He has an A.B. in economics from Stanford University and an S.M. in management from the MIT Sloan School of Management and holds a chartered financial analyst (CFA) designation.

Want the latest retirement plan adviser news and insights? Sign up for PLANADVISER newsletters.

Stabler, also a CFA, previously worked as vice president of global consultant relations for WHV Investment Management. His earlier jobs include an 11-year term as director and head of consultant relations for RCM, an Allianz Global Investors company.

Seidler transitioned to Commonfund from an independent consulting practice in the San Francisco area. She also worked as a senior financial associate for corporate cash management at the Royal Bank of Canada, San Francisco.

Brandt joined Commonfund after 13 years with RCM and Allianz Global Investors, where he moved through several roles to become client relations and marketing group manager.

«