Quant Hedge Fund Taps Into Inflation Fears With New Gold Shares

(Bloomberg) -- A $700 million Swiss hedge fund is tapping into the backlash against central-bank largesse by offering clients in its flagship systematic strategy shares that are denominated in gold.

Quantica Capital AG is launching this new share class -- priced in the shiny metal but settled in dollars -- in its managed futures fund, which rides medium-term trends across assets. The move reflects booming demand for gold amid fears that quantitative easing and rock-bottom borrowing rates will erode faith in fiat currencies.

“In a world where paper money issued by central banks is suffering from ever-increasing debt, muted economic outlook and ultra-low interest rates paired with inflation fears, a strategic investment in gold might be more attractive than ever,” Quantica founder Bruno Gmuer wrote in an emailed statement.

By putting money in the gold-denominated share class, dollar investors will have exposure to the commodity trading adviser's trend-following strategy as well as the metal's move against the greenback. Bullion has surged 25% this year as unprecedented monetary easing fuels bets on reflation.

Meanwhile, Quantica has seen a roughly flat performance so far this year amid whiplash moves across assets.

Investors have kept piling into gold funds this month, even as prices dip from records thanks to a rebound in the dollar.

It is not the first time this year a hedge fund has added new share classes tied to precious metals. In August, Edouard de Langlade's EDL Capital started offering gold- and silver-denominated investments in its macro hedge fund.

“This is not very common,” said Philippe Ferreira, a cross-asset strategist at Lyxor Asset Management. “But gold gains appeal when central banks debase their currency as it is the case now with asset purchases.”

Read more: Why There's More to Gold's Rally Than Inflation Fears: QuickTake

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