The Australian Authority Suspends Orders For Two Permanent Investment Funds

Friday, the Australian securities regulator ordered a unit of asset management firm Perpetual Ltd to temporarily halt promoting or delivering two products to individual investors due to elevated market risks.

Perpetual is aiming to conclude a deal with EQT-owned Barings Private Equity Asia (BPEA) and Regal Partners, while being compelled by the court to launch its own takeover proposal for rival Pendal Group.

The Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) has ordered Perpetual Investment Management's Perpetual Pure Microcap Fund and Perpetual Geared Australian Share Fund to halt distributing interest and giving advice to retail investors for 21 days.

According to the regulator, the portfolios of the funds are exposed to extreme market volatility and carry substantial risks, increasing the potential that investors would sustain enormous losses.

"ASIC issued the interim measures to protect retail investors from engaging in funds that may not be appropriate for their financial objectives, circumstances, or needs," the regulator noted.

"The Australian Securities and Investments Commission is concerned that Perpetual did not appropriately consider these features and risks when choosing the wide target markets for the products."

The government expects Perpetual to take "immediate measures" to ensure compliance.

Reuters requested a response from Perpetual but did not receive a prompt reply.