Criterion Investments Ltd today announced that the Criterion Diversified Commodities Currency Hedged Fund has initiated the redemption of its holdings of index-linked notes issued by a subsidiary of American International Group, Inc.
The notes, in which substantially all of the fund’s assets are invested, provide the fund with returns linked to the performance of an index of 19 commodity futures.
“While the manager remains confident in the underlying index, this decision has been taken out of caution to protect capital for unitholders and as a result of uncertainty regarding the note issuer,” Criterion said in a release.
Shares of AIG, one of the world’s largest insurance companies, tumbled more than 60% early Monday as investors grew concerned that the firm lacked capital to withstand cuts to its debt rating.
Once the redemption is completed the fund’s assets will temporarily consist of cash and equivalents, Criterion said.
“Criterion is looking at other ways to expose the fund to commodity futures using an index or rules-based approach,” the company said.
Criterion is an affiliate of VenGrowth Asset Management Inc., one of Canada’s premier managers of private equity and alternative investments.
Criterion Diversified Commodities Fund to move to cash
Fund to redeem holding of index-linked notes issued by AIG subsidiary
- By: IE Staff
- September 15, 2008 September 15, 2008
- 14:25