Background
Origin is a London-based investment management boutique specializing in the management of long-only global,
international (ex-US), emerging markets and smaller companies equity portfolios for institutional investors.
Formed in November 2004, Origin opened for business in May 2005. Its majority owner is Principal Global
Investors, LLC, which is part of Principal Financial Group (NASDAQ: PFG).
As of February 29, 2024, Origin’s discretionary assets under management totaled $4.7bn. Origin’s aim is to
provide clients with an investment process which is intuitive, logical, clear, systematically applied and value-
creating. For the purposes of this brochure, a “client” will refer to a fund (and not the investors in a fund) and/or
a separate account client.
Origin uses a distinctive, systematic and evidence-based investment process.
Origin employs a purely bottom-up approach to build a portfolio of companies that share a very specific set of
characteristics. Companies in which it invests will be value creating, undervalued, enjoy improving operating
performance and have rising relative share prices. Origin measures these criteria objectively using cash flow
return on investment data, consensus earnings data and share price information. All research is based on
evidence rather than opinion. Origin does not meet company management, in order to avoid the pitfalls of
emotional coloring and to ensure that all competing investment ideas are measured using a uniform data set.
Origin assesses management quality in terms of cash flow returns on invested capital.
Origin works with each of its separate account clients to develop investment guidelines based upon the client’s
specific investment objectives. Separate account advisory services are governed by a written agreement
between Origin and the separate account client. Origin manages separate accounts under a range of mandates.
Separate account clients may amend their investment guidelines as their needs change or impose restrictions on
investing in certain securities or types of securities.
Origin does not participate in any wrap fee programs by providing portfolio management services.
Investment Strategies
Origin offers the following strategies. These are available on either a segregated or pooled basis, and through a
variety of vehicles:
• International Equity ex-US
• Global Equity Emerging Markets
• Global Equity Smaller Companies
• China Equity
• Emerging Markets Ex-China Equity
International Equity ex-US: The objective is to seek to achieve capital growth through investment in global
equities ex the United States, including emerging markets. The Fund is constructed with very limited regard to
the characteristics of any market capitalization weighted global equity indices. The benchmark index of the Fund
is the MSCI AC World Index ex USA. The Investment Manager reserves the right to change benchmark indices
in the future.
Individual stock exposure will normally be limited to 2% of the value of the Fund. Sub-sector
exposure will normally be limited to 20% of the value of the Fund. Emerging market exposure will normally be
limited to 40% of the value of the Fund. The Fund, under normal circumstances, will hold 5% or less of its assets
in cash.
Global Equity Emerging Markets: The objective is to achieve capital growth through investment in global
emerging markets equities. The Fund is constructed with very limited reference to the characteristics of any
market capitalization weighted global emerging markets equity indices. The benchmark index of the Fund is the
MSCI Emerging Markets Index. There is no constraint on individual stock exposure. The Fund, under normal
circumstances, will hold 5% or less of its assets in cash.
Global Equity Smaller Companies: The objective is to achieve capital growth through investment in global
smaller companies. The Fund is constructed with very limited reference to the characteristics of any market
capitalization weighted global smaller company indices. The benchmark index of the Fund is the MSCI AC World
Small Cap Index. The maximum weighting in any sub-sector is normally capped at 20% absolute. The Fund,
under normal circumstances, will hold 5% or less of its assets in cash.
China Equity: The objective is to achieve capital growth through investment in Chinese companies. The Fund is
constructed with very limited reference to the characteristics of any market capitalization weighted China
company indices. The benchmark index of the Fund is the MSCI China All Shares Index. The maximum
weighting in any sub-sector is normally capped at 20% absolute. The Fund, under normal circumstances, will
hold 5% or less of its assets in cash.
Emerging Markets Ex-China Equity: The objective is to achieve capital growth through investment in emerging
markets ex China companies. The Fund is constructed with very limited reference to the characteristics of any
market capitalization weighted emerging markets ex China company indices. The benchmark index of the Fund
is MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Index. The maximum weighting in any sub-sector is normally capped at
20% absolute. The Fund, under normal circumstances, will hold 5% or less of its assets in cash.
Management Team
Origin’s partners have an average of 31 years investment experience. Origin’s global investment team of four
has average experience of 22 years.
Origin is a limited liability partnership which is 93% owned by the Principal Financial Group (NASDAQ: PFG).
Origin’s working partners own the balance of 7% and retain control over investment policy, process, and the day-
to-day management of the business. On August 1, 2015 PFG carried out an internal reorganization which
resulted in PGI’s holding in Origin being transferred to Principal Global Financial Services (Europe) II Limited
(‘PGFS’), an affiliated company which is also a wholly-owned subsidiary of PFG.