Bedrijfspensioenfond voor de Agrarische en Voedselvoorzieningshandel, sGravenhage, Netherlands, is reviewing its investment strategy and may increase its exposure to value stocks, said Erik Martens, newly appointed general manager. The 335 million euro ($291 million) plan for agricultural workers had a heavy bias toward growth stocks for the last few years, and recent investment returns were lower as a result, he said. A decision on any changes is likely within the next month. Equities currently account for 20% of total assets, with the remainder in fixed income.
The plan is externally managed in balanced mandates; Mr. Martens would not name the money managers or say if the plan would appoint specialist managers.
Mr. Martens joined the fund April 1, replacing Auke Roeleveld, who retired. Mr. Martens was a manager at Dutch insurer Interpolis, where he was responsible for relationships with pension plans.