Catalyst To Convert Fourth Hedge Fund, Acquire SMA Business
By DailyAlts Staff Catalyst Funds has already converted three hedge funds into mutual funds, including the Catalyst Hedged Futures Strategy Fund (MUTF: HFXAX ), which was in the top 12% of funds in Morningstar’s Managed Futures category for the first half of 2015. On July 31, the firm will add a fourth former hedge fund to its lineup of liquid alts, when it converts Auctos Capital Management’s managed futures strategy into a ’40 Act fund. The new fund will be called the Catalyst/Auctos Managed Futures Multi-Strategy Fund. “With this transaction, Catalyst is bringing a successful managed futures strategy to the retail market,” said Catalyst CEO Jerry Szilagyi, in a July 28 press release. “This strategy is another example of our ‘intelligent alternative’ investment approach and we’re proud to add the accomplished Auctos investment team to the Catalyst family.” The fund conversion comes as the result of Catalyst’s acquisition of Auctos, which not only includes its managed-futures strategy hedge fund, but also its separately managed accounts (NYSE: SMA ) business. Catalyst will take on the SMA business as a wholly owned subsidiary and continue to operate it under the Auctos name. The firm will also take on five Auctos employees, including Auctos president Kevin Jamali, who will continue to be portfolio manager of the new mutual fund and head of the SMA subsidiary. “We are thrilled to join the Catalyst team and to bring our investment strategy to the retail marketplace,” said Mr. Jamali. He and his four colleagues, which include two PhDs, will continue to work out of Auctos’s Chicago office. Both firms stand to benefit from the acquisition. While Auctos will benefit from what Mr. Jamali calls a “vast operational and distribution infrastructure,” Catalyst will expand its investment management and research capabilities, according to Mr. Szilagyi. For more information, visit catalystmf.com . Share this article with a colleague