Merrill Adds Four Portfolios to SMA Platform

March 18, 2003, 1:00 a.m. EST 1 Min Read

Merrill Lynch has added four multi-discipline portfolios from CDC IXIX Asset Management Advisors Group to its separately managed account platform. The portfolios are part of Consults Diversified Portfolios, offered through Merrill Lynch Consults, which serves high-net-worth investors. Merrill Lynch offers only one other strategy from an external manager.

The four portfolios use the following five strategies from companies affiliated with CDC IXIS: Loomis Sayles Core Fixed Income, Loomis Sayles Large Cap Growth, Harris Associates Large Cap Value, Reich & Tang Mid Cap Value and Hansberger International Developed Markets.

The portfolios represent risk categories III through VI. Category III attempts to balance income and growth through bonds and stocks. Category IV seeks long-term growth. Category V seeks above-average long-term growth. Category VI seeks capital appreciation.

Because CDC IXIS has so many affiliated money management groups, the company is well suited to provide multi-manager portfolios, said John T. Hailer, president and CEO. The company hopes to add more portfolios to Merrill Lynchs platform over time. "As the popularity and need for these products continue to grow, we look forward to expanding our lineup of multi-discipline portfolios offered through Merrill Lynch and other firms," Hailer said in a statement.