AmInvest’s AmASEAN Equity (the “Fund”) is the winner of the Best Equity ASEAN Over Five Years in Global Islamic 2022 Refinitiv Lipper Fund Awards for providing consistently strong risk-adjusted returns compared with its Islamic global peers.1
“An experienced investment team, supported by our rigorous research and investment process to carefully select equities that would outperform over time, has been instrumental in adding value to the fund’s performance,” said Mr Kevin Wong, Principal Officer and Chief Investment Officer of AmIslamic Funds Management Sdn Bhd.
Over a period of 5 years, the Fund achieved an impressive total return of around 24.0%, beating its global Islamic peers’ average return by about 3.5%.2 The Fund also outperformed its benchmark by 21.3% over the same time frame.2
Looking at the prospects of the ASEAN market moving forward, Mr. Wong said, “While the confluence of geopolitics, inflation and rate hikes creates more volatility, it also provides opportunities for tactical trading and to pick up equities at cheaper valuations. We see value emerging in sectors such as construction, property and other recovery-led themes. ASEAN equities are expected to benefit from the growth momentum of reopening economies as well as tailwind from buoyant commodity prices.”
AmASEAN Equity, which was launched in year 2011, seeks to provide capital growth over the medium to long-term by investing mainly in Shariah-compliant equities in the ASEAN region. The actively managed Fund will select Shariah-compliant equities that are undervalued relative to their earnings growth potentials at reasonable valuations.
Robert Jenkins, Head of Research, Lipper, Refinitiv said, “The Global Islamic 2022 Refinitiv Lipper Fund Awards recognize award-winning managers who are successfully facing down market factors not seen in decades including rising inflation, a thinning labour pool and continuing constraints on the global supply chains. Markets are ebbing and flowing along with the sentiments and emotions of investors as the pandemic continues to cloud outlooks and change perspectives. Fund managers find themselves looking beyond earnings statements and factoring in impacts of viral waves–making active management more challenging than ever. We applaud the awards winners for delivering outperformance and the accompanying comfort of consistency to investors’ portfolios in a time of unprecedented change.”
AmInvest is the brand name for the funds management business of AmFunds Management Berhad and AmIslamic Funds Management Sdn Bhd.
Notes and Sources:
1 Global Islamic 2022 Refinitiv Lipper Fund Awards, May 2022
2 Based on performance data compiled by Lipper, Refinitiv, as at 30 November 2021. Performance is shown in Malaysian Ringgit on a NAV price basis with income distribution reinvested. Performance figures are calculated net of all fees, charges and expenses, except entry charge and exit penalty (if any). Past performance is not indicative of future performance.
