SciVest Launches Offshore Net Short Equity Fund

Global investment manager SciVest has created an offshore version of its existing SciVest Net Short Equity Fund. The new vehicle is similar to the Canadian-based onshore fund, which was launched in July 2004, but there are a few unique features.

“The primary enhancements in the offshore fund relative to the onshore fund are first, the offshore fund has a lower target equity market beta of -0.75, versus -0.50 for the onshore fund,” says John Schmitz, who manages both vehicles. 

“Second, the offshore fund has a global mandate investing in 14 of the largest developed markets, versus the North American mandate of the onshore fund, to provide investors with better alpha diversification,” he says. “Finally, the offshore fund has a higher long-term leverage factor of 4:1, versus 3:1 for the onshore fund, to provide investors with a higher absolute level of alpha.”