Ashburton Investments’ Core Plus Income Fund – another success story from the fund manager

13 June 2025

Ashburton Investments’ fixed income team is achieving standout results – and helping investors achieve better liquidity in the process.

In a market where liquidity and capital preservation are top of mind for a range of large investors, Ashburton Investments’ Core Plus Income Fund has quietly become a powerhouse - growing to more than R10 billion in assets in under three years. The Core Plus Income Fund is primarily targeted at clients who want to park large sums of money and have high liquidity needs. 

“We are delighted to celebrate outstanding achievements across the Ashburton Fixed Income range. Recently, the Ashburton Money Market Fund has surpassed R30 billion, the Ashburton Core Plus Income stands strong at over R10 billion, and the Ashburton Stable Income is just shy of R30 billion,” says Albert Botha, Head of Fixed Income at Ashburton Investments.

Ashburton Investments Head of Corporate and Commercial Distribution, Vanessa Pillay, explains why the achievement matters to her client base: “The Ashburton Core Plus Income Fund has become a standout choice among clients, particularly due to its consistent outperformance of money market funds (MMFs). With its low-risk profile, this Fund has captured the attention of corporate and institutional investors eager to achieve attractive yields on their strategic cash.”

In an environment where business confidence in South Africa remains subdued due to local and global uncertainties, the demand for secure yet rewarding investment options continues to rise, says Pillay.

“While MMFs remain a trusted tool for liquidity management and short-term cash holdings, many corporate, institutional, and commercial investors are now seeking opportunities that go beyond the yields offered by MMFs. Recognising this need, the Ashburton Core Plus Income Fund was specifically designed for corporate investors looking for an ideal balance of higher returns and low risk. It has become a compelling option for those aiming to optimise returns on their strategic cash while maintaining peace of mind. With  significant liquidity in the market, the Core Plus Income Fund is well-positioned to meet the growing appetite for yield enhancement, offering a smart alternative for investors prioritising both stability and performance. The remarkable growth of this fund highlights its growing popularity, and the trust placed in it by investors seeking attractive yields paired with a low-risk investment profile."

Botha concludes: “The secret to our success is consistent client service that ensures that we match the clients’ needs alongside a well-performing product set, managed by dedicated investment professionals.  Most of the growth we achieved as a team occurred in the five years after Covid, in a very tough and challenging environment. It is a credit to the portfolio managers, distribution teams and the rest of the business that we have achieved this.

Disclaimer

Ashburton Management Company (RF) (Proprietary) Limited (Reg No 1996/002547/07) (Ashburton) is an approved collective investment schemes manager of the Ashburton Collective Investment Scheme (Ashburton CIS). Ashburton is regulated by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA). Collective Investment Schemes are generally medium- to long-term investments. The value of participatory interests (units) may go down as well as up. Past performance is not necessarily a guide to future performance. Collective investments are traded at ruling prices and can engage in scrip lending and borrowing. A schedule of fees, charges and maximum commissions, as well as a detailed description of how performance fees are calculated and applied, is available on request from Ashburton Management Company (the Manager). The Manager may close the portfolio to new investors in order to manage it efficiently according to its mandate. For full and further details including performance and fees, please refer to our website www.ashburtoninvestments.com/za Ashburton Fund Managers (Proprietary) Limited (Reg number 2002/013187/07) is an authorised financial services provider, FSP number 40169.

This document and any other information supplied in connection with the financial product (“product”) is not “advice” as defined and/or contemplated in terms of the FAIS Act and investors are encouraged to obtain their own independent advice prior to investing in the product. Any investment is speculative and involves significant risks and therefore, prior to investing, investors should fully understand the product and any risks associated with the product.