Press Center

Financial advisors’ awareness of strategic beta investing is widespread, but their confidence in implementing it is limited, according to a recent survey by Columbia Threadneedle Investments.

Three Columbia funds have received 2019 Lipper Fund Awards as high-performing mutual funds in their respective Lipper classifications for the period ending December 31, 2018.

Columbia Threadneedle Investments is adding to its extensive fundamental research effort by launching an innovative responsible investment (RI) ratings tool that combines an assessment of a company’s financial stewardship with a view on how well it manages its Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) risks. By combining both aspects into a single, forward-looking rating from 1 to 5, the tool reflects Columbia Threadneedle’s belief that prudent management of financial and ESG factors are important to a company’s ability to create long-term, sustainable value. Research conducted by the RI team covering the last five years demonstrates that companies that perform best on financial and ESG factors have the capacity to outperform.

Today, ethos, the mass participation event organization that produces the Boston Triathlon, announced that Columbia Threadneedle Investments, a leading global asset management group, has renewed its title sponsorship of the Boston Triathlon. The new five-year commitment will ensure Columbia Threadneedle Investments naming rights for the event through 2023. The firm became the title sponsor in 2015.

Columbia Threadneedle Investments today announced that it has entered into an agreement with Precidian Investments LLC ("Precidian") to license Precidian’s ActiveShares^SM methodology.

Columbia Threadneedle Investments today announced the expansion of its strategic beta exchange-traded fund (ETF) offerings, with the launch of Columbia Multi-Sector Municipal Income ETF (NYSE Arca: MUST). MUST will track the Beta Advantage® Multi-Sector Municipal Bond Index, which has exposure to five sectors of the municipal bond market using a rules-based approach to bond selection. Columbia Threadneedle drew upon its expertise as an experienced active investment manager of municipal bond portfolios to create the strategic beta rules that are the foundation for the construction of the index. MUST’s custom index was designed by Columbia Threadneedle’s municipal fixed-income team and is administered by Bloomberg Index Services Limited.

Columbia Threadneedle Investments today announced the launch of Columbia Tax Efficient Portfolios (TEP), a suite of equity separately managed account strategies designed to provide investors consistent equity market exposure with an emphasis on tax efficiency. The portfolios are designed for tax-sensitive, high-net-worth investors and aim to deliver pre-tax returns that closely approximate the target benchmark and results, after taxes and investment management fees, that consistently outperform the target benchmark through the strategic use of tax lot accounting.

Columbia Threadneedle Investments today announced its participation as a “Challenge Partner” in MassChallenge's new FinTech program. Launched earlier this year, MassChallenge FinTech helps support and grow startups in the financial technology (FinTech) industry. It matches FinTech startups with financial industry leaders such as Columbia Threadneedle to accelerate the development of emerging products and services that have the power to transform financial services.

Columbia Threadneedle Investments today announced the results of a survey of financial advisors that reveals yield and market complexity are top concerns when establishing muni bond exposures for clients.

Columbia Threadneedle Investments today launched six new separately managed account (SMA) strategies for municipal bond investors, drawing on the firm’s 20-plus years of experience in managing tax-exempt fixed income portfolios for high-net-worth investors.

Columbia Threadneedle Investments today announced the launch of the Columbia Overseas Core Fund (COSAX), an international equity fund that seeks long-term capital appreciation through active investments in value and growth equity securities of non-U.S. issuers, including those in emerging markets.

Three Columbia funds have received 2018 Lipper Fund Awards as high-performing mutual funds in their respective Lipper classifications for the period ending December 31, 2017.

Columbia Threadneedle Investments is proud to continue its title sponsorship of the Columbia Threadneedle Investments Boston Triathlon. The 2018 event expects to attract more than 2,000 participants to the South Boston waterfront for two days of races.

Columbia Threadneedle Investments today announced that Scott E. Couto is joining the firm as head of North America, reporting to William F. “Ted” Truscott, chief executive officer. In this new role, Mr. Couto will oversee U.S. Intermediary Distribution, Product and Marketing. Columbia Threadneedle is a top 15 manager of long term mutual funds in the U.S. and manages $351 billion in the region.

A Columbia Threadneedle Investments poll of investment managers and financial advisors reveals a positive investor outlook for emerging markets (EM) even after the asset class was one of the best performing in 2017. This year, 57 percent of respondents were optimistic on EM, compared to 45 percent one year ago.

Wall Street's eight-year love affair with stocks kicked into overdrive this year, spurred by a stronger economy, the likelihood of tax cuts, and a lack of compelling investment alternatives. Columbia Threadneedle's Jeff Knight, along with other notable market strategists, shares his thoughts on 2018.

Columbia Threadneedle Investments received the top award for overall advisor communications among large fund firms at the 2017 Mutual Fund Education Alliance STAR Awards. Judged by industry marketing professionals, the annual STAR Awards are designed to honor the fund industry's efforts to communicate with and market to investors in ways that support shareholders and investment goals.

Columbia Threadneedle Investments (“Columbia Threadneedle”) today announced that Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC has completed its acquisition of Lionstone Partners, Ltd., a leading national real estate investment firm (“Lionstone Investments”). Lionstone specializes in investment strategies based upon proprietary analytics and manages approximately $6 billion in assets.¹

Columbia Threadneedle Investments today announced the launch of an innovative new target date solution for the retirement marketplace, the Columbia Adaptive Retirement Series. Based on the firm’s proprietary Adaptive Risk Allocation methodology, the solution aims to provide investors with capital appreciation and current income consistent with the target retirement year while smoothing the ride through volatile markets.

Columbia Threadneedle Investments today announced the expansion of its strategic beta ETF offerings, with the launch of Columbia Diversified Fixed Income Allocation ETF (NYSE Arca: DIAL). DIAL will track the Beta Advantage^® Multi-Sector Bond Index, which provides a rules-based approach to investing in six fixed income sectors.

Columbia Threadneedle Investments has added television as part of its ongoing U.S. advertising campaign. The campaign highlights the benefits of the consistent and collaborative approach that Columbia Threadneedle brings to investing. Building upon a print and digital campaign that began running earlier this year, the new TV spots will promote the belief that consistency is a key driver of investment success.

Columbia Threadneedle Investments (Columbia Threadneedle) today announces the appointment of Colin Lundgren as Global Head of Fixed Income. Mr. Lundgren is currently Deputy Global Head of Fixed Income and has been with the company for 31 years. Mr. Lundgren will report to Colin Moore, Global Chief Investment Officer.

Columbia Threadneedle Investments today announced an agreement for Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC to acquire Lionstone Partners, Ltd., a leading national real estate investment firm based in Houston.

Morningstar released an analysis of Columbia Dividend Income Fund that describes the investment management team's stock selection approach to uncover steady dividend payers.

Columbia Threadneedle Investments is proud to announce its title sponsorship of the Columbia Threadneedle Investments Boston Triathlon. This is the second year the Boston-based asset management firm has been a partner of this community event, which is expected to attract more than 1,500 participants.

Five Columbia funds -- Absolute Return Currency & Income Fund, AMT-Free California Intermediate Muni Bond Fund, Global Dividend Opportunity Fund, Greater China Fund and Select Large-Cap Value Fund -- have received 2017 Lipper Fund Awards as top-performing mutual funds in their respective Lipper classifications for the period ending December 31, 2016.

Columbia Threadneedle Investments today launched a new global advertising campaign created to highlight the benefits of its consistent and collaborative approach to investing. The campaign features print and digital ads that will run across North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific and promote its belief in consistency to drive investment success.

Investors have boosted their sentiment towards emerging markets (EM) since this time last year, according to the Columbia Threadneedle Investments Emerging Market Investor Sentiment Survey released today.

Columbia Threadneedle Investments today announced that Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC has completed its acquisition of Emerging Global Advisors, LLC (EGA), a New York-based registered investment adviser and a leading provider of strategic beta emerging market portfolios. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

Columbia Threadneedle Investments congratulates two-time triathlon world champion Gwen Jorgensen on her gold medal performance in Rio. Following her success, Columbia Threadneedle and Jorgensen will donate her custom-painted, Columbia Threadneedle branded, Specialized bike to the Dare2tri paratriathlete charity auction on September 30, 2016 in Chicago.

The following table illustrates Columbia Threadneedle Investments municipal bond mutual fund exposure to Guam and U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) issuers. While we acknowledge that there is an elevated degree of economic and political linkage between all credits issued on the islands, consideration should be given to the structural and legal separation of some credits.

Columbia Threadneedle Investments today announced the launch of three equity income smart beta exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the first in a series from the new Columbia Beta Advantage ^SM family of rules-based, factor-driven, smart beta ETFs. Columbia Beta Advantage products are thoughtfully constructed by incorporating Columbia Threadneedle’s active investing experience and insight into rules that, in the case of these three ETFs, provide exposure to companies that have certain attributes believed to offer sustainable levels of income, as well as total return opportunity. These funds will track underlying indices calculated by MSCI Inc.

Columbia Threadneedle Investments and the Boston Triathlon today announced that Columbia Threadneedle will be the title partner of Boston's only triathlon. The newly renamed Columbia Threadneedle Boston Triathlon, now in its eighth year, will take place in South Boston on July 31, 2016.

Columbia Threadneedle Investments today announced an agreement for Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC to acquire Emerging Global Advisors, LLC (EGA), a New York-based registered investment adviser and a leading provider of smart beta portfolios focused on emerging markets. The acquisition will significantly expand the smart beta capabilities of Columbia Threadneedle Investments. Terms of the EGA acquisition were not disclosed. The transaction is expected to close later this year.

Five Columbia funds have received 2016 Lipper Fund Awards as top-performing mutual funds in their respective Lipper classifications for the period ending December 31, 2015.

Columbia Threadneedle Investments announced today that Matthew A. Litfin, CFA has joined Columbia Wanger Asset Management (CWAM) and will be named co-portfolio manager for Columbia Acorn Fund and lead portfolio manager for Columbia Acorn USA on January 1, 2016. Mr. Litfin will also serve as domestic director of research for CWAM.

Columbia Threadneedle Investments was honored for excellence in its retail and advisor communications in the U.S. by the Mutual Fund Education Alliance (MFEA). Columbia Threadneedle received four MFEA STAR Awards among large firms with more than $100 billion in assets under management.

Columbia Threadneedle Investments announced today that Jim Bumpus has joined the firm as National Sales Manager. Mr. Bumpus will lead intermediary sales and distribution in the broker dealer and independent channels and report to Joe Kringdon, Managing Director, Head of Intermediary Distribution.

Columbia Threadneedle Investments is proud to be the Global Financial Services Partner of the International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Triathlon Series Grand Final Chicago, from September 15-19. The event features four days of competition for more than 8,000 elite and amateur athletes, including 150 of the world's top Olympic-distance triathletes as they compete for a world championship title less than a year before the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Columbia Threadneedle Investments today announced the launch of the Columbia Global Unconstrained Bond Fund (CLUAX), an absolute return strategy that invests across the global fixed income markets.

Two resources available exclusively through the Learning Center — Member eNews and Retirement Resource Guide — have received 2015 APEX Awards for Communications Excellence. The APEX Awards program, now in its 27th year, is a communications competition that recognizes outstanding publications from newsletters and magazines to annual reports, brochures and websites.

The following table illustrates Columbia Threadneedle Investments municipal mutual fund exposure to Illinois and Chicago-related credits. While we acknowledge that there is a degree of economic and political linkage between all of the credits, consideration should be given to the underlying fundamentals and structural differences between the credits.

The following table illustrates Columbia Threadneedle Investments mutual fund exposure to Puerto Rico issuers — including GO debt and issuers that do not directly rely on Commonwealth General Fund support to pay debt service. While we acknowledge that there is an elevated degree of economic and political linkage between all credits issued on the Island, consideration should be given to the structural and legal separation of some credits.

Columbia Threadneedle Investments today announced the launch of the Columbia U.S. Social Bond Fund (CONAX), a fixed income mutual fund that seeks total return through investments that aim to support and fund socially beneficial activities and developments.

Five Columbia funds have received 2015 Lipper Fund Awards as top-performing mutual funds in their respective Lipper classifications for the period ending December 31, 2014.

Columbia Management has today launched its new brand: Columbia Threadneedle Investments. A new logo and visual identity are also unveiled, along with a new brand positioning, which is focused on the client: Your success. Our priority.

Columbia Management today announced the launch of a liquid alternative mutual fund, the Columbia Adaptive Alternatives Fund (CLAAX). The fund provides retail investors access to a diverse portfolio of alternative investments through collaboration between Columbia Management and Blackstone Alternative Investment Advisers LLC.

Columbia Management announced that it will rebrand its business as Columbia Threadneedle Investments in the first half of 2015. The new global brand will represent the combined capabilities, resources and reach of Columbia and UK-based Threadneedle Investments, offering clients access to the best of both firms and positioning the asset management group for a greater share of global growth.