Natixis Global Associates has launched a managed futures mutual fund to be managed by AlphaSimplex Group, the Natixis ASG Managed Futures Strategy Fund.

The fund pursues its absolute return objective using multiple trend-following models across a broadly diversified portfolio of asset classes and markets.

AlphaSimplex seeks to limit risk by managing to a strict annualised volatility target and by employing dynamic drawdown controls.

The new fund is co-managed by Dr. Andrew W. Lo, a thought leader in quantitative investing and risk management.

"Strategies like managed futures are among the few diversifying investment styles that can be effective even in the midst of a market crisis," says Lo. "This fund answers a growing need for a broader set of diversification tools that are available in a highly liquid, transparent and passive low-cost format."

The fund adds to Natixis' growing line up of non-traditional investment solutions. To date, Natixis offers investors six non-traditional funds, including the Gateway Fund, the AEW Real Estate Fund, the Westpeak ActiveBeta Fund, which was launched last week, and two additional US mutual funds managed by AlphaSimplex Group.

"The new ASG fund is further proof of our commitment to developing innovative investment solutions to help individual investors and their advisors diversify portfolios more effectively," says John Hailer, president and chief executive officer of Natixis Global Asset Management, U. and Asia, and head of NGA US and international distribution. "By taking a popular hedge fund strategy and offering it in a risk-controlled, low-cost, mutual fund format, Andrew Lo and the ASG team continue to make alternative investment strategies and techniques more accessible to individual investors."

The Natixis ASG Managed Futures Strategy Fund is a US '40 Act fund, available only to US investors through A, C and Y shares. Using highly liquid futures and currency forward contracts to gain desired market exposures, AlphaSimplex offers a risk-controlled managed futures strategy with the convenience of a mutual fund.

The minimum investment is USD2,500 for A and C shares, and USD100,000 for Y shares.