"Lonsec has upgraded the Advance Multi-Manager funds to highly recommended, reflecting the manager's well-established and thorough manager research process, solid portfolio construction techniques, strong SAA (strategic asset allocation) culture and well-resourced team," Lonsec said in a report.
Performance had been above the Lonsec fund sector average over all time periods assessed and they had been the top performing fund within the sector over one, two and three years, the research house said.
It said it was impressed with the relative smoothness of last year's merger between St George Investment Solutions and BT Investment Solutions. Advance is part of BT Financial Group, the wealth management arm of Westpac.
"In Lonsec's view the integration combined the collective strengths of two well-regarded investment teams while producing minimal disruption to the investment process. The team appears culturally aligned and well positioned to deliver on objectives," it said.
