The Fund aims to provide UK investors with access to US micro-cap equities which, as an asset class, has a strong performance history. The asset class’s strong total return can be explained by inefficient information flow, lack of institutional investor presence, and significant company level growth opportunities.

The Fund’s objective is long-term capital appreciation, which we aim to achieve by investing in companies undergoing positive fundamental change. Specifically, these are transformative company initiatives or industry growth trends, potentially delivering significant upside. Attractive investment opportunities exist across all sectors, and they are especially prevalent within micro cap health care and technology.

The Fund is managed from AllianzGI’s San Diego office by a team of five investment professionals and led by Robert Marren.

Adam Gent, Head of Retail/Wholesale UK & Northern Europe, Allianz Global Investors, said:

“While the US large cap space has become a familiar stomping ground for passive players, we continue to see opportunities to generate active investment returns in US Micro Caps. Robert and the team in San Diego have an excellent long term track record in the space and this fund launch gives UK clients further access to the best of AllianzGI’s global investment capabilities.”

Robert Marren, Portfolio Manager, Allianz US Micro Cap Equity commented:

“I’ve spent the last 21 years investing in the US Micro Cap space. The asset class has delivered compelling returns because Wall Street is preoccupied with name brand large cap stocks. This lack of focus on micro caps creates significant opportunities in active management, allowing us to capture early-stage/underappreciated investment ideas on behalf of our clients.”

The Fund will join the IA North American Smaller Companies sector and will be set against the Russell Microcap Growth Index Total Return GBP benchmark.

For further information please contact:
Alastair Fairbrother +44 (0) 20 3246 7432
Sarah Einig +44 (0) 20 3246 7846
ukmedia@allianzgi.com

Notes to editors:
Russell Microcap Growth Index Total Return GBP – the fund will not be constrained by this Performance Benchmark nor will it be used for anything else other than providing guidance for the size of the underlying companies included in the strategy and measuring outperformance.

About Allianz Global Investors:
Allianz Global Investors is a leading active asset manager with over 770 investment professionals* in 25 offices* worldwide and managing more than EUR 535 billion* in assets for individuals, families and institutions.

Active is most important word in our vocabulary. Active is how we create and share value with clients. We believe in solving, not selling, and in adding value beyond pure economic gain. We invest for the long term, employing our innovative investment expertise and global resources. Our goal is to ensure a superior experience for our clients, wherever they are based and whatever their investment needs.

Active is: Allianz Global Investors

Investing involves risk. The value of an investment and the income from it may fall as well as rise and investors might not get back the full amount invested.

Allianz Micro Cap Equity Fund is a sub-fund of Allianz International Investment Funds, an open-ended investment company with variable capital with limited liability organised under the laws of England and Wales. The value of the units/shares which belong to the Unit/Share Classes of the Sub-Fund that are denominated in the base currency may be subject to an increased volatility. The volatility of other Unit/Share Classes may be different and possibly higher. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Investment funds may not be available for sale in all jurisdictions or to certain categories of investors.

The views and opinions expressed herein, which are subject to change without notice, are those of the issuer companies at the time of publication. The data used is derived from various sources, and assumed to be correct and reliable, but it has not been independently verified; its accuracy or completeness is not guaranteed and no liability is assumed for any direct or consequential losses arising from its use, unless caused by gross negligence or willful misconduct. The conditions of any underlying offer or contract that may have been, or will be, made or concluded, shall prevail.

For a free copy of the sales prospectus, incorporation documents, daily fund prices, key investor information, latest annual and semi-annual financial reports, contact the management company at the address indicated below or regulatory.allianzgi.com. Please read these documents, which are solely binding, carefully before investing.

This is a marketing communication issued by Allianz Global Investors GmbH, www.allianzgi.com, an investment company with limited liability, incorporated in Germany, with its registered office at Bockenheimer Landstrasse 42-44, 60323 Frankfurt/M, registered with the local court Frankfurt/M under HRB 9340, authorised by Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht (www.bafin.de). This communication has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to ensure the impartiality of investment (strategy) recommendations and is not subject to any prohibition on dealing before publication of such recommendations. Allianz Global Investors GmbH has established a branch in the United Kingdom, Allianz Global Investors GmbH, UK branch, 199 Bishopsgate, London, EC2M 3TY, www.allianzglobalinvestors.co.uk, which is subject to limited regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority (www.fca.org.uk). Details about the extent of our regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority are available from us on request. The duplication, publication, or transmission of the contents, irrespective of the form, is not permitted.