Candriam, a global multi-specialist asset manager, has launched the Candriam Equities L Meta Globe Fund “the Meta Globe Fund”, which invests in companies that are involved in developing and enhancing the metaverse. The fund is the latest addition to Candriam’s expanding thematic equity platform, which has over $9 billion of assets under management across 13 funds, focused on harnessing the growth potential of structural long-term megatrends including health, environment, technology and demographics. The Meta Globe Fund is classified as Article 8 under the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation.
Despite being in its infancy, Candriam believes the metaverse may offers investors a substantial and compelling long-term investment opportunity, with markets estimating the metaverse economy will surpass USD $5 trillion. There are already signals for what the future may look like, with the virtual and augmented reality market estimated to reach $73 billion by 2024, and the market for NFTs and digital certificates of authenticity estimated to reach $80 billion by 2025.
The fund will be actively managed by a team with a combined 40 years of investment experience: Johan Van Der Biest, Deputy Head of Thematic Global Equity, Felix Demaeght, CFA, Fund Manager, and Nataniel Wejchert, Technology Equity Analyst, with oversight from Rudi Van den Eynde, Head of Thematic Global Equity, with 34 years of investment experience. In addition, the team will have the support of Candriam’s industry leading ESG team, which consists of 21 ESG analysts.
“In a fast-growing digital world, there is increasing emphasis on making every digital interaction more immersive and attractive. The metaverse is one of the most exciting developments in the technology space. While still young, it’s already clear that its development will take the entire technology sector in tow. This will disrupt and possibly revolutionise the education, health, communications, and entertainment sectors. The potential and opportunities are huge, and we want to make it more accessible for our clients. Drawing on the success of our current thematic equities range, and specifically our robotics and innovative technology fund, we see our Meta Globe fund as a natural extension and next step in our offering.”
Johan Van Der Biest, Deputy Head of Thematic Global Equity at Candriam
The Candriam Equities L Meta Globe Fund, which is a sub-fund of the SICAV Candriam Equities L, is domiciled in Luxembourg and registered for distribution in Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Spain.
