Saturna Launches New Fund for Muslim Investors

Saturna Capital Corporation, adviser to the Amana Mutual Funds Trust, has launched the Amana Developing World Fund (AMDWX), the third in the Amana Funds family designed for American Muslim investors.

A press release said the Amana Developing World Fund (AMDWX), the Amana Income Fund (AMANX), and the Amana Growth Fund (AMAGX) are managed in compliance with Islamic (sharia) principles.

The Amana Developing World Fund’s objective is long-term capital growth through a strategy of investing at least 80% of assets in common stocks of companies with a 50% or more exposure to countries with developing economies and/or markets. It will diversify its investments across countries of the developing world and will predominantly follow a value investment style.

“The fund will invest in companies that have the majority of their assets and revenues in the emerging market countries, yet may be headquartered in both developing and more advanced economies.  We believe this broader approach may help reduce the fund’s foreign investing risk,” said Nicholas Kaiser, chairman of Saturna Capital and portfolio manager of the new fund.

Islamic principles require that investors share in profit and loss, receive no interest, avoid debt, and eschew investments in businesses not permitted by Islamic law, including pork processing, gambling, production or sale of liquor, insurance, and interest-based banks or finance associations.


More information is available at 888.732.6262 or www.amanafunds.com.

Transamerica Offers Plan Benchmarking Tool

Small- and mid-sized plan sponsors may now have an easier time keeping up with the Joneses with the help of Transamerica Retirement Services’ enhanced Annual Retirement Plan Review.

A news release said the product provides sponsors with a comparative industry assessment of their defined contribution plan, backed by a list of research-based opportunities to help improve the plan.

Using data provided by the Profit Sharing/401k Council of America and other industry sources, Transamerica gives plan sponsors a snapshot of how their plan compares to industry standards and averages. Transamerica then uses the results of this benchmarking to identify opportunities where the plan may be able to benefit from making improvements, as well as action items intended to align the plan with industry standards or increase the plan’s competitiveness, the company said.

The product also includes an investment analysis, fiduciary review, and a fee and expense report that includes information about the typical types, names, and descriptions of fees.

“We set out to develop a comprehensive, annual plan review that reflects the sponsor’s goals for plan management and provides actionable opportunities to improve the plan,” said Mary Sanderson, vice president and director of client management for Transamerica Retirement Services.


More information is at www.TA-Retirement.com.

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