The Core fund range: Built on consistency, designed for outcomes

A long-term approach to investing

In 2009, Nedgroup Investments launched the Core Diversified Fund with a clear objective to create a disciplined, rules-based investment solution designed to deliver consistent outcomes over time. Taquanta Asset Managers were appointed as the fund manager, marking the beginning of what would become one of South Africa’s most established multi-asset fund ranges.

Over the years that followed, the Core fund range evolved to meet the changing needs of investors, always grounded in the same underlying philosophy of discipline, diversification and consistency.

Building a diversified investment solution

Following the launch of the Core Diversified Fund, the range expanded deliberately:

• The Core Guarded Fund was introduced in 2010
• The Core Bond Fund followed in 2012
• The Core Accelerated Fund was launched in 2017
• More recently, the Core SA Equity Fund was added in 2023

This expansion allowed investors to access a broader set of risk-return profiles within a consistent investment framework.

At the same time, the Core fund range extended beyond South African markets. In 2015, the Core Global Fund (UCITS) was launched in partnership with BlackRock Investment Management (UK), one of the world’s leading asset managers. This was followed by the introduction of the Core Global Feeder Fund in 2016 and, more recently, the Core World Index Feeder Fund in 2023.

Together, these developments have positioned the Core range as a comprehensive, globally diversified multi-asset solution.

Scaling with purpose
As the Core fund range expanded, it also grew in scale, reflecting increasing adoption by investors and advisers.

• Assets under management reached R1 billion in 2013, and the funds were made available to retail investors in early 2014
• By May 2018, the Core Diversified Fund had become the largest rules-based fund in South Africa
• The Core business grew to R25 billion in 2019
• This doubled to R50 billion in 2021
• By May 2026, the Core fund range had surpassed R100 billion in assets under management

Today, Nedgroup Investments is the largest manager of multi-asset rules-based funds in South Africa.

This growth has not been driven by short-term performance, but by a consistent and repeatable approach built over time, supported by a culture of innovation and a focus on delivering value for investors.

Scaling with consistency: Growth in assets under management over time
Growth of the Core fund range from 2012 to 2026 across multi-asset, global multi-asset and building block strategies, reflecting sustained investor adoption and a disciplined investment approach.

Source: Nedgroup Investments, May 2026

Consistency that supports real investor outcomes

At the heart of the Core fund range is a focus on consistency, not just performance in isolated periods, but outcomes over full market cycles.

The three largest funds in the range, the Core Diversified Fund, Core Guarded Fund and Core Global Fund (and feeder fund), have set a strong standard for relative consistency within their categories.

Across rolling one-year periods, these funds have spent only a limited proportion of time in the lower quartiles of their peer groups. Over longer rolling three-year periods, they have consistently delivered above-average performance relative to peers.

This disciplined approach has resulted in:

• Top and second decile performance since inception
• Strong risk-adjusted outcomes relative to peers
• Superior money-weighted returns for investors

Evolving with investor needs

While the Core fund range has a long track record, its evolution continues.

In April 2026, Nedgroup Investments introduced the Core-Active® Growth and Core-Active® Cautious Funds. Developed in partnership with the multi-management team, these solutions combine the proven foundations of the Core fund range with active investment insights.

This marks the next chapter in the evolution of the Core fund range, maintaining its disciplined foundation while adapting to an increasingly complex investment landscape.

A proven foundation for the future

From its origins in 2009 to surpassing R100 billion in assets under management, the Core fund range has been built steadily over time, guided by a clear investment philosophy and a commitment to delivering consistent outcomes.

While milestones such as scale and market leadership are noteworthy, the focus remains unchanged: to provide investors with a reliable, well-constructed foundation for long-term investment success.