Hong Leong Asset Management nabs coveted title at Refinitiv Lipper Fund Awards 2022
WITH the advancement of technology in accordance with the times, investors are more inclined to adopt digitally-focused solutions and intuitive systems that analyse and advise on the possible rebalancing of their portfolio based on their risk appetite and other parameters.
As one of the early adopters of an online unit trust distribution system in Malaysia, Hong Leong Asset Management Bhd (Hong Leong AM) is looking to be the catalyst for their customers to meet the growing demands and interest of digital investing.
Hong Leong AM saw five of its EPF-approved funds collectively win 20 individual fund awards at the Refinitiv Lipper Fund Awards 2022 from both Malaysia Universe and Global Islamic Universe.
On top of winning the individual fund awards, Hong Leong AM is also the winner of the Best Equity Group Award – Malaysia Provident. This marks Hong Leong AM’s fifth win for the Group Award.
“The rise of technology will also enable us to gain better insights to consumer behaviour and help us continuously fine-tune our product offering and services to stay relevant and competitive for our investors’ benefit and interest,” commented Hong Leong AM chief executive officer Hoo See Kheng.
Hoo: 'We seek to gain a sufficient level of understanding of a company before initiating a stock position in the fund.'
“We believe bottom-up stock picking to be the ideal strategy to drive long-term and sustainable fund outperformance, particularly in the local market.”
“We seek to gain a sufficient level of understanding of a company, including the main drivers of its profitability and business outlook, before initiating a stock position in the fund.”
Recently, the popularity of Shariah-compliant investments have drawn in the interests of stakeholders from all corners of finance looking to leverage on more socially responsible funds in the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) spectrum.
Noor Aini: 'We are of the opinion that in the long run, the investment returns for both Shariah-compliant investments and its conventional counterparts are relatively competitive and similar.'
According to Hong Leong Islamic Asset Management Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Noor Aini Shaik Awab, this can be accredited to factors such as the awareness of the importance of Shariah-compliant screening for Muslims, and the diversity of Shariah-compliant products offered in the market for both Muslim and non-Muslim investors.
“However, we are of the opinion that in the long run, investment returns for both Shariah-compliant investments and its conventional counterparts are relatively competitive and similar,” she advises.
Hong Leong AM’s Islamic unit trust funds, Hong Leong Dana Makmur and Hong Leong Dana Maa’rof, have also won 14 individual fund awards in both the Malaysia Universe and Global Islamic Universe categories in the recent Refinitiv Lipper Fund Awards.
As the nation works to transition to an endemic phase with borders reopening and foreign labour returning, the economy is expected to revive and recoup the lost time caused by the pandemic.
“This will follow the return of more foreign direct investments (FDI), which will contribute higher production numbers to the country’s growth,” commented Hong Leong AM Fund Manager Yu Junqiang.
Yu: 'Fund managers must always be informed of the current market situation, and perform sector rotation in advance to bring stable profits to investors.
Yu adds, “Looking at this, Hong Leong AM has pinpointed that the key point of investment in 2022 is to find companies with anti-cyclical and low debt ratios, such as value-oriented companies, companies with relatively low price-earnings ratios and stable growth rates.”
“Fund managers must always be informed of the current market situation, and perform sector rotation in advance to bring stable profits to investors. It is crucial to find a fund manager who is professional and knows how to adjust investment strategies according to the different market conditions,” he concludes.
Disclaimer:
This content has not been reviewed by the Securities Commission. Investors are advised to read and understand the contents of the Hong Leong Master Prospectus dated 23 August 2019, its First, Second and Third Supplementary dated 18 November 2019, 27 March 2020 and 31 December 2020 respectively (collectively known as the “HLAM Prospectus”) and the Product Highlight Sheet (“PHS”) before investing. The HLAM Prospectus has been registered and PHS lodged with the Securities Commission Malaysia who takes no responsibility for the contents. A copy of the Prospectus and PHS can be obtained from any of Hong Leong Asset Management Bhd (“HLAM”) offices, agents or authorised distributors and investors have the right to request for it. Investors should also consider the fees and charges involved before investing. Prices of units and distributions payable, if any, may go down or up and that past performance is not a guarantee of future performance. Investors shall be aware of the risks associated with each fund before investing. The funds may not be suitable for all and if in doubt, investors shall seek independent advice.
Refinitiv Lipper Fund Awards, ©2022 Refinitiv. All rights reserved. Used under license.
