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Polar Capital Global Insurance
There are few fund managers with a more intimate knowledge of their market than the manager of Polar Capital Global Insurance fund. His many years of experience and his background in audit and consultancy work for insurance companies and brokers, are fundamental to his success. The fund provides access to a specialist and often overlooked sector.
Our opinion
Everything around us is insured, regardless of economic boom or bust, which gives this fund some very nice defensive characteristics. Investors seeking access to this specialist sector can feel confident with this management team, all of whom are extremely knowledgeable and experienced in the intricacies of the insurance world.
Company description
Founded in 2001, Polar Capital supports more than 12 investment teams that focus on a range of products. Its founding strategy of fostering an equity culture amongst its employees and providing high levels of transparency to clients means 30% of the firm’s equity is currently held by directors, founders and employees. Polar Capital is principally located in London and maintains offices in Tokyo, Connecticut, Jersey, Edinburgh, Shanghai and Paris. It was awarded the Elite Equities Provider Rating in 2019 and 2020.
Fund manager
Nick Martin has been co-manager on the Polar Capital Global Insurance fund since 2001. He became lead manager in 2016. He has many years of industry experience and previously worked at Hiscox Investment Management, where this fund began its life. Nick participated in the management buyout of Hiscox in 2007 and joined Polar Capital in 2010. Nick is a qualified chartered accountant and has a degree in Econometrics and Mathematic Economics from the London School of Economics.
Management ownership of the companies in which we invest is crucial – as Warren Buffett says, no-one ever washes a rented car.
Nick MartinFund manager
Investment process
The team's extensive knowledge of the insurance industry means it can analyse companies in-depth. It looks to invest in quality insurers that can produce sustainable underwriting profits. It’s very easy to grow in insurance - you just charge less. But the team avoids these sorts of businesses preferring dull, boring and experienced management teams. They like management teams who are underwriting with their own money through material stock ownership. Polar Capital Global Insurance is focused and typically invest in 30-35 companies. It rarely invests much in life assurers, instead preferring specialist non-life companies, and those in the casualty and risk sectors.
Risk
This is a global equity fund but 60-80% of the portfolio is usually invested in US firms as the team believes they are typically better stewards of capital. The fund is predominantly invested in large companies but does have some mid and small-cap exposure. Although this is a specialist fund it is well diversified across the different types of insurance. It has historically been a bit less volatile than global equities.
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