Following the news that Mark Lyttleton is to leave BlackRock, Morningstar OBSR analysts have placed their ratings on two of his funds under review. Meanwhile, Schroders' purchase of Cazenove Capital has not led to any rating changes on either the Schroders funds or the Cazenove funds.
BlackRock UK Absolute Alpha
Following the announcement that Mark Lyttleton will be relinquishing his management responsibilities on the BlackRock UK Absolute Alpha fund on March 28, we have placed the fund Under Review. The fund previously held a Morningstar OBSR Analyst Rating of Bronze. Co-manager Nicholas Osborne will remain in that role and will be joined by Nigel Ridge who has managed the BlackRock UK Equity Hedge fund since 2005. Morningstar OBSR analysts will meet with the new management in due course.
BlackRock UK Dynamic
Morningstar OBSR analysts have also placed the BlackRock UK Dynamic fund Under Review following news of Lyttleton's departure. The fund was previously rated Bronze. Fund manager Nick Little will assume sole responsibility for the fund on March 28, though Mark Lyttleton will remain at BlackRock until the end of April 2013 in order to help with the transition.
Subject to FSA approval, BlackRock are proposing to merge the fund with the BlackRock UK fund, which Little has run since March 2012. Morningstar OBSR analysts will meet with Little in the coming weeks to discuss the impact of these changes. BlackRock UK is also rated Bronze.
Cazenove Capital
Schroders PLC (SDR) confirmed on Monday that is buying Cazenove Capital for £424 million or 135p per ordinary share. This acquisition is subject to shareholder and regulatory approval.
Cazenove has confirmed that at this stage it is the intention that their current fund range and fund managers will move to Schroders. We are currently maintaining our existing fund ratings for all funds managed by both Schroder and Cazenove, including Schroder UK Alpha Plus which was last week placed under review following news Richard Buxton is leaving Schroders for Old Mutual. Buxton's fund was previously rated Gold.
Morningstar OBSR analysts are monitoring the situation closely and will continue to meet with the individual managers of all the funds as part of their regular monitoring process.
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