Our purpose is clear: to deliver enduring value to our clients – retail and institutional – and the stakeholders who entrust us with their long-term goals.
Symmetry’s approach is underpinned by a rigorous manager research capability that informs investment decisions. The business partners with financial advisors, institutions and individual investors to design portfolios that balance risk and return through cycles. As part of a large, established financial group, Symmetry combines the agility to innovate with the scale, stability and governance required to deliver enduring value to clients.
The team
Symmetry is supported by a diverse and experienced team of investment professionals and client specialists who work collaboratively to design and manage investment solutions. The business is structured around a strong manager research capability, portfolio construction expertise and dedicated client engagement, supported by robust operational, risk and governance functions.
The investment team brings experience across multi-asset investing, equities, fixed income and alternatives, including hedge funds. This diversity of backgrounds and perspectives is central to Symmetry’s approach, enabling balanced decision-making and a deep understanding of how strategies behave across market cycles.
Symmetry looks for individuals with strong analytical skills, sound judgement and intellectual curiosity. Equal importance is placed on integrity, collaboration and a long-term mindset. Team members are encouraged to challenge ideas constructively and remain focused on delivering enduring value through disciplined, insight-driven investing.
Investment philosophy
Symmetry’s investment philosophy is built on the belief that consistent long-term outcomes are achieved through diversification, a robust manager selection process and disciplined portfolio construction. Our focus is on blending complementary strategies that behave differently across market environments.
For financial planners and their clients, this means portfolios that aim to deliver smoother return profiles, enhanced downside protection and improved risk-adjusted outcomes over time.
Symmetry places particular emphasis on understanding how strategies behave in stressed markets, not just in benign conditions. Investment solutions are built through a disciplined, repeatable process combining qualitative manager due diligence, quantitative analysis and portfolio-level risk assessment.
Ongoing monitoring ensures portfolios remain aligned with objectives, while regular engagement with advisors supports appropriate client positioning and expectation management.
Offering
At Symmetry, we provide a comprehensive suite of investment solutions designed to meet diverse client needs. All our solutions are underpinned by robust manager research that informs every investment decision we make. Our solutions span traditional asset classes as well as alternatives, with hedge funds forming a core component of the offering. Hedge funds are used deliberately, not opportunistically.
Symmetry focuses on strategies that demonstrate genuine diversification benefits, low correlation to traditional assets and the ability to protect capital during periods of market stress. These include long-short equity, market-neutral, fixed income and multi-strategy hedge funds, blended to achieve balanced portfolio outcomes.
The Old Mutual Multi-Managers Diversified RI Hedge Fund of Funds (proposed to be renamed the Symmetry Diversified RI Hedge Fund of Funds subject to regulatory approval), hereafter referred to as “the Fund”, is positioned as a flagship solution. The fund provides investors with diversified exposure to specialist hedge fund managers through a single, well-governed structure, targeting consistent returns with controlled volatility and capital preservation.
While hedge funds are not the sole focus of the business, they are considered an important building block in client portfolios, particularly for investors seeking diversification, smoother return profiles and resilience across market cycles.
Performance
Performance is assessed with a strong emphasis on consistency, downside protection and risk-adjusted returns over time. The Fund is designed to deliver steady returns, with a focus on limiting drawdowns and avoiding large negative months.
Performance is assessed relative to clear objectives and appropriate cash-plus benchmarks, ensuring alignment with client expectations and the fund’s role within broader portfolios.
Symmetry’s fund of hedge funds delivered resilient outcomes across a range of market conditions, preserving capital during periods of stress while participating in supportive markets. This long-term approach has translated into a strong performance track record, measured against clear cash-plus objectives rather than short-term
peer rankings.
Since 2013, Symmetry has received 16 HedgeNews Africa awards for its fund of hedge fund solutions, including multiple accolades for top performance over five and 10-year periods. This includes recognition as the best fund in its category over a five-year period ending 2025, reflecting sustained excellence in risk-adjusted performance.
Contact information:
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Suvira Bodha
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Tel: 082 857 7109
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Email: info@symmetry.co.za
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Website: www.symmetry.co.za
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Symmetry is a division of Old Mutual Life Assurance Company (South Africa) Limited, a licensed Financial Services Provider and Life Insurer.
