Media Release

18 November 2024

$5.4 billion Platypus Asset Management awarded mandate and added to Colonial First State FirstChoice platform

Platypus Asset Management has been awarded a growth focused equities mandate with its Australian equities strategy added to the Colonial First State FirstChoice platform.

Ms Jelena Stevanovic, CEO, Platypus said “the team has been generating outstanding returns for clients, large and small for more than two decades. The consistency of the long-term performance of the strategy is a testament to the strength of our investment process, and the depth and breadth of our team. We are delighted to see Platypus Australian Equities added across different options on Colonial First State FirstChoice, making it available to a large cohort of financial advisers and their clients.”

Platypus was founded in 1998 and remains one of Australia’s most successful equities managers—its consistent investment style and proven investment process has delivered for clients for more than 25 years.
The Platypus Australian Equities Fund (PAEF) is also available in the Morningstar Medalist Core Portfolio range with a 2024 rating for its Institutional Share class of Bronze.

Morningstar said “we are delighted to have the PAEF in our Medalist Portfolios. The Medalist Portfolios are our ‘fund and ETF only portfolio suite’ that represents the best ideas of our manager research team. The Medalist portfolios are available on CFS Edge.”

The Platypus Australian Equities Fund has a “Recommended” investment rating with Lonsec Research and Zenith Investment Partners.

During 2024, Platypus was assessed a Responsible Investor by the Responsible Investment Association Australasia and was a finalist in the Australian Fund Manager Awards for the Golden Bull Award.

For the 12 months to 30 September, Platypus Australian Equities was ranked third in Mercer’s Australian equities survey¹ and returned 36.14%, outperforming the S&P 300 Acc index (benchmark) by 14.45%. Its five-year return was 10.67% pa outperforming the benchmark by 2.37% pa².

Platypus Australian Equities is now available on FirstChoice Wholesale Investments, FirstChoice Wholesale Personal Super, FirstChoice Wholesale Pension and FirstChoice Investments and First Choice Employer Super.

About Platypus Asset Management
A specialist Australian equities manager, Platypus Asset Management was established in 1998 with funds from family and friends. Platypus currently manages approximately $5.4 billion in assets on behalf of some of Australia’s largest superannuation funds and institutions, as well as a base of smaller investors. In 2021 Australian Unity acquired 100 per cent of the issued share capital in Platypus Asset Management having been a joint venture partner in the business since 2006. For more information see the latest Platypus Australian Equity Fund Update

About Australian Unity
Established in 1840, we are Australia’s first wellbeing company, delivering health, wealth and care services for our members and the community. As a social enterprise, we’re motivated by our purpose to positively impact the wellbeing of millions. We reinvest profits to deliver products and services sustainably that matter most to our members, customers and the Australian community. For us, Real Wellbeing encompasses the whole experience of life. It’s about feeling supported in your health, connected with your community and empowered to live life on your terms.

Important information
Units in PAEF are issued by Australian Unity Funds Management Limited ABN 60 071 497 115, AFS Licence No 234454. Information provided here is general information only and current at the time of publication and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Information about PAEF can be obtained from its Product Disclosure Statement (PDS), Additional Information Document (AID) and Target Market Determination (TMD). In deciding whether to acquire, hold or dispose of the product you should obtain a copy of the PDS and seek professional financial and taxation advice. This information is intended for recipients in Australia only. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Lonsec rating published on 22 October 2024 for Platypus Australian Equities Fund-

1 Mercer Australian Equities Survey for one year returns to 30 September 2024.
2 Total Return is calculated after fees and expenses and assumes the reinvestment of distributions. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

Wholesale Units AUS0030AU is issued by Lonsec Research Pty Ltd ABN 11 151 658 561 AFSL 421 445 (Lonsec Research). Ratings are general advice only and have been prepared without taking account of investors’ objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider your personal circumstances, read the product disclosure statement and seek independent financial advice before investing. The rating is not a recommendation to purchase, sell or hold any product. Past performance information is not indicative of future performance. Ratings are subject to change without notice and Lonsec Research assumes no obligation to update. Lonsec Research uses objective criteria and receives a fee from the Fund Manager. Visit lonsec.com.au for ratings information and to access the full report. © 2024 Lonsec. All rights reserved.

The Zenith Investment Partners (ABN 27 103 132 672, AFS Licence 226872) (“Zenith”) rating (APIR:AUS 0030AU) assigned 27 June 2024 referred to in this media release is limited to “General Advice” (s766B Corporations Act 2001) for Wholesale clients only. This advice has been prepared without taking into account the objectives, financial situation or needs of any individual, including target markets of financial products, where applicable, and is subject to change at any time without prior notice. It is not a specific recommendation to purchase, sell or hold the relevant product. Investors should seek independent financial advice before making an investment decision and should consider the appropriateness of this advice in light of their own objectives, financial situation and needs. Investors should obtain a copy of, and consider the PDS or offer document before making any decision and refer to the full Zenith Product Assessment available on the Zenith website. Past performance is not an indication of future performance. Zenith usually charges the product issuer, fund manager or related party to conduct Product Assessments. Full details regarding Zenith’s methodology, ratings definitions and regulatory compliance are available on our Product Assessments and at Fund Research Regulatory Guidelines.