Algebra Capital Exceeds USD1 billion in Assets Under Management

• Text size
•  
•  

Dramatic Growth Demonstrates International Confidence in AlgebraAlgebra's Distinctive Investment Style and Management Team
Dubai, UAE - 12^th March 2008: In under a year of managing money, Algebra CapitalAlgebra Capital announced today that its Assets Under Management (AUM) exceeded USD 1bn. Focused on asset management in the MENA region, the company has crossed a number of significant milestones, and has a strong pipeline in place for 2008.

"Achieving over $1bn in assets under management and sub-advisory mandates in under a year of full operations is a clear ratification of the success of our strategy to date - a distinct combination of our expertise in the field of asset management, with the experience, team ethos and in-depth regional knowledge of the management which delivers solid and consistent results," stated Ziad Makkawi, Founder and CEO of Algebra CapitalAlgebra Capital. "2008 will see us build on this foundation with the imminent introduction of our fixed income products in the next few weeks and our private equity business in the second half of the year."

During the course of 2007, Algebra CapitalAlgebra Capital was appointed as sub-advisor on the Schroders International Selection Fund Middle East, as well as successfully launching its flagship Equity fund, the Alpha MENA Fund. More recently Algebra CapitalAlgebra Capital has been working with its strategic partner Franklin Templeton on launching a series of funds targeting a global audience. In February 2008, Algebra CapitalAlgebra Capital launched its Special Situations Fund, which it capped at $55 million. This fund, which had previously been run as a managed account since June 07, returned 66% to December 2007. Since its launch, the Special Situations Fund is up 6.50 % as of February 28.

Algebra CapitalAlgebra Capital has a distinct, research intensive, investment style across its various asset classes. This focus has attracted international and regional investors looking for solid returns and unrivalled market insight into the MENA region. Both the Alpha MENA Fund and the Special Situations Fund reflect this selective, considered and concentrated style, with strong returns based on the team's experience. Since inception in October 2007, the Alpha MENA Fund has accumulated AUMs of over $500 million, and has delivered returns of 24.40 % to its investors outperforming its benchmark by over 450 basis points.

Leveraging the firm's relationship with Franklin Templeton, its global asset management strategic partner is one of the strategies Algebra CapitalAlgebra Capital will employ to drive growth in 2008. "In the coming months, Algebra CapitalAlgebra Capital will be announcing some of the first joint products with Franklin Templeton, extending our present established investor base to a broader, global institutional and retail client base" concluded Makkawi.

About Algebra CapitalAlgebra Capital:
Algebra CapitalAlgebra Capital, operating out of the DIFC and regulated as a financial services provider by the DFSA, aims to be the premier specialist Emerging Markets asset management firm. Algebra CapitalAlgebra Capital will manage assets in private and public markets across all asset classes. Services will be packaged as fund solutions, discretionary mandates or structured products. Clients are a mix of institutional investors and high net worth individuals. Particular attention and resources will be dedicated to attracting international capital flows to our target markets, the MENA and emerging Asia regions (MENASIA). Algebra CapitalAlgebra Capital claims the longest combined track record in the Middle East.

For more information, please contact:
Aimee Peters / Jumana Akkawi
Buchanan Middle East
T +971 4 369 8555
F +971 4 369 8556
M +971 50 286 8796 or +971 55 880 8523
E-Mail: aimee.peters@buchananme.com or jumana.akkawi@buchananme.com