SG Hiscock launches critical resources fund

SG Hiscock & Company has launched a new global equities fund focused on critical resources, aiming to give investors exposure to structural growth opportunities emerging from the accelerating demand for these materials.

Targeting the resources market

The SGH ARI Resources Fund is a high-conviction global equities strategy designed to give investors exposure to the structural growth opportunities emerging from the accelerating demand for critical resources. Managed by global resources specialist Stephen Gorenstein, the fund provides diversified exposure to commodities including gold, copper, uranium and critical minerals and seeks opportunities beyond the large-cap miners.

Gorenstein joined SG Hiscock in 2025 to establish the firm’s dedicated global resources capability and has 25 years’ experience across geology, mining, investment banking, capital markets and funds management. This includes roles at Rio Tinto, Newcrest Mining and White Rock Minerals as well as nine years at Goldman Sachs as metals and mining analyst. SG Hiscock said this “disciplined investment process, extensive industry relationships and ability to identify quality resource businesses” would significantly strengthen the fund.

The fund targets medium to long-term capital growth and aims to outperform the Bloomberg AusBond Bank Bill Index by three per cent per annum over rolling five-year periods.

Drivers of demand

SG Hiscock head of distribution Anthony Cochran explained that artificial intelligence is increasing demand for electricity, grids and critical minerals. Governments are investing in energy security, domestic manufacturing and resilient supply chains. Defence spending is rising, industrial policy is reshaping investment decisions and competition for strategic resources is intensifying. These themes are creating significant long-term demand for critical resources.

“The SGH ARI Resources Fund gives investors access to these structural growth opportunities through a concentrated portfolio of high-quality global resource companies, including businesses that are often overlooked by broader resources strategies,” Cochran said.

The strategy’s approach allows for deep engagement with companies that might be neglected by larger funds. By focusing on quality resource businesses, the fund seeks to capitalize on market inefficiencies. Stephen Gorenstein’s background provides the necessary expertise to handle the complexities of the mining sector, from geological assessment to capital raising.

Strategic partnerships

Earlier this year, SG Hiscock was appointed as the Australian wealth management distributor for the global quant manager AQR Capital Management. The first fund on offer from that partnership will be the AQR Wholesale Managed Futures Fund, which seeks to produce attractive risk-adjusted returns while targeting a low long-term average correlation to traditional markets.