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Picton Mahoney launches alt fund to mitigate downside risk

Reported by Advisor
Nov 19, 2023· 3 min read
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Key Takeaways
  • • Picton Mahoney Asset Management launched the Picton Mahoney Fortified Special Situations Alternative Fund, offering four unit classes (Class A, F, I, and ETF units) with ETF units trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange under ticker PFSS as of the announcement date.
  • • The fund employs Picton Mahoney's proprietary Fortified Investing™ approach—a rules-based strategy designed to mitigate downside risk while seeking long-term capital appreciation across varying market conditions, addressing investor demand for income and capital gains in a low interest rate environment.
  • • The fund targets Canadian investors seeking uncorrelated return streams and downside protection through event-driven and special situations strategies, leveraging Picton Mahoney's six-plus years of active management experience in its Authentic Hedge® special situations strategy.
  • • The new offering expands access to Picton Mahoney's alternative strategies across a broader investor base through multiple unit classes and a lower minimum investment structure, positioned to help investors generate returns with reduced reliance on traditional stock or bond market rallies.
Summary
Picton Mahoney Asset Management announced the launch of the Picton Mahoney Fortified Special Situations Alternative Fund, marking the firm's expansion of alternative investment products for Canadian investors. The fund commenced trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange with ETF units (ticker: PFSS) and simultaneously offered Class A, F, and I mutual fund units to the broader public. The multi-class structure reflects the firm's strategy to democratize access to its alternative strategies across different investor segments and account types.

The fund is built on Picton Mahoney's proprietary Fortified Investing™ framework, a rules-based approach centered on managing volatility by mitigating downside exposure while maintaining growth potential regardless of market conditions. According to David Picton, President, CEO, and Portfolio Manager at the firm, the launch addresses a critical market need: Canadian investors facing constrained income generation from traditional fixed-income allocations in a low interest rate environment. The fund specifically targets investors seeking uncorrelated return streams that provide both income and capital appreciation with enhanced downside risk management.

The new alternative fund leverages the firm's six years of demonstrated success managing its Authentic Hedge® special situations strategy. This underlying strategy employs event-driven tactics and liquid alternative credit exposure, designed to generate returns independent of conventional equity and bond market performance. By decoupling returns from traditional market rallies, the fund aims to provide portfolio diversification and more stable risk-adjusted returns—key objectives for institutional and sophisticated retail investors navigating uncertain macroeconomic conditions.

The launch represents Picton Mahoney's broader initiative to expand its alternative investment capabilities and investor accessibility. The multiple unit classes and ETF structure lower barriers to entry while maintaining institutional-grade portfolio management. This positioning allows the firm to capture growing institutional demand for downside-protected strategies while serving individual investors through registered dealer channels, broadening Picton Mahoney's reach within the Canadian alternative investment marketplace.

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Sources

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Advisor Picton Mahoney launches alt fund to mitigate downside risk