Oaktree to Launch First Mutual Funds

Asset management firm Oaktree Capital Group (OAK) is a company that focuses on alternative investments, and the company recently announced that it will be launching its first in-house mutual funds.

Oaktree will initially be launching two mutual funds: the Oaktree High Yield Bond Fund and the Oaktree Emerging Markets Equity Fund. The minimum investment for both of these funds will be $25,000.

Inside the Funds

Oaktree High Yield Bond Fund – According to the firm’s SEC filing, the fund will invest at least 80% of its assets in bonds that are rated below investment grade BBB- by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, lower than Baa3 by Moody’s Investors or lower than BBB- by Fitch Ratings. These funds are also referred to as “junk bonds” or “high yield bonds.”

These types of bonds can carry a significant amount of risk, but have done well in the current healthy market environment. Mutual fund investors should be cautious with these types of funds since they can become risky if the market plummets.

Oaktree Emerging Markets Equity Fund – According to the SEC filing, this fund will invest at least 80% of its assets in equity securities of emerging market issuers. These securities will include common stock, preferred stock, depositary receipts, options, warrants and rights.

Mutual fund investors should understand that although there is upside potential in these types of funds, emerging market exposure can carry risk.

The Bottom Line

These two funds will give mutual fund investors a great opportunity to gain exposure to high yield bonds and emerging markets. Both of these types of funds have high risk/reward, so investors should pay close attention to the holdings of these funds.