AUS
NZ
UK
CA
USA
IND
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Highlights
- $6B Australian Equities Fund sees leadership shake-up
- Cooper Investors restructures amid multi-year underperformance
- Brunswick Fund continues to deliver strong returns
After a difficult period marked by underperformance, Cooper Investors has announced a major shake-up in the management of its $6 billion Australian Equities Fund. Peter Cooper, founder and Executive Chairman of the firm, has taken a direct role in the fund’s management in a strategic move aimed at revitalizing its performance.
The fund, which has consistently lagged behind its benchmark—the S&P/ASX 200—over the past decade, recorded a disappointing 10.7% negative return over the past year. In contrast, the benchmark posted a 2.8% gain during the same period. Despite this, the Australian Equities Fund still maintains a positive record against the index since its inception in 2002.
To lead this turnaround effort, long-time Cooper Investors manager Andrew Swan has been appointed as the new lead portfolio manager. He replaces Amos Hill, who will be departing the firm. Peter Cooper emphasized that these changes are limited to the Australian Equities Fund and do not affect other investment strategies under the firm’s umbrella.
Cooper Investors manages over $14 billion across several investment strategies, including the flagship Brunswick Fund. The Brunswick Fund, which manages around $2 billion, has consistently outperformed. It returned 12.6% last year and has delivered 15.7% annualized returns over the past five years, net of fees.
Peter Cooper, whose personal wealth exceeds $725 million as per the Financial Review Rich List, expressed optimism about the restructuring efforts. In a message to staff, he highlighted that both he and Andrew Swan have previously navigated similar recovery phases successfully. He also reiterated confidence in the fund’s ability to rebound in the near future.
Cooper Investors' Australian Equities Fund has stakes in several high-profile Australian companies including CSL Limited (ASX:CSL), Macquarie Group (ASX:MQG), and Xero Limited (ASX:XRO), among others. While recent returns have fallen short, the long-term investment philosophy remains grounded in fundamental analysis and a high-conviction approach.
As changes unfold, investment analysts are monitoring the transition closely. The focus now turns to whether this renewed leadership can steer the Australian Equities Fund back to a trajectory of consistent outperformance, much like its sibling Brunswick Fund.
