Simon N. Ballard

Provides brokerage services

FIM-UK is an active investment manager with a growth-oriented investment style. The firm specializes in European small-cap equity, Asian and emerging market equity, multi-management, emerging market bonds and global bonds. Their investment approach is bottom-up and based on fundamental research and in-depth knowledge of the markets in which they specialize. Proprietary research is shared within the Fortis Investments global network, and combines quantitative and qualitative analysis. Research focuses on valuation, assessing asset quality and identifying catalysts likely to unlock value. Fortis Investments believes that performances depend more on sector allocation than on regional allocation. They seek to identify major industry themes and value drivers within sectors. They favor sector leaders representing quality among their peers. They also invest in value and high-yield stocks. Their investment decisions are based on a blend of company and sector views with macroeconomic analysis. Fortis Investments emphasizes accountability. Within the allocation framework defined at the global level, small teams of portfolio managers operate autonomously under the supervision of the asset class CIO. The firm's products are managed using a core model portfolio, customized for each client.