GAM this week announced the launch of a UCITS equity fund that will seek to tap into the economic potential of Asia’s ASEAN markets: namely Singapore, Malaysia
GAM this week announced the launch of a UCITS equity fund that will seek to tap into the economic potential of Asia’s ASEAN markets: namely Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines. Entitled GAM Star Emerging Asia Equity, it will aim to outperform the MSCI AC South East Asia Index over the long term by investing in ASEAN-based companies. GAM has decided to launch the fund at a time when it feels ASEAN markets have perhaps been overlooked and overshadowed by the China growth story. Michael Lai and Camille Vergara will manage the fund. They will have the support of a Hong Kong-based investment team whose expertise and knowledge of local markets will help identify buying opportunities using bottom-up company analysis. The result being a portfolio of between 35 and 45 high conviction positions that represent potential mis-priced opportunities and a chance for the fund to exploit ASEAN’s perceived growth trajectory. The fund will be sold to investors in a number of European markets including the UK and Germany as well as Macau and Singapore. Lai joined GAM back in 1998. As Investment Director he’s responsible for the firm’s Asian funds. Vergara joined GAM in July 2010 and is responsible for southeast Asian markets.
