Aberdeen Asset Management Sdn Bhd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Aberdeen Asset Management plc who in turn held by Standard Life Aberdeen plc, announced the launch of its first diversified multi-asset strategy in Malaysia. 

The Aberdeen Global Diversified Growth Fund is the group’s first feeder fund that invests in a Luxembourg-domiciled fund to be available through intermediaries for sophisticated investors in Malaysia and it is currently distributed by Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia Bhd.

Aberdeen is excited about its latest diversified multi-asset offering as it foresees continued demand from investors for yield and new sources of return and this comes amid mixed signals in markets over the effect of potential rising interest rates as well as concerns that the equity market may be overvalued relative to fundamentals.

It’s country head for Malaysia, Gerald Ambrose said  Aberdeen’s approach to multi-asset allows investors to build diversification into their overall investment portfolio in a simple turnkey way. 

The Luxembourg-domiciled fund’s wide diversification compared to its peers, emphasis on low volatility and avoidance of complex derivatives will be especially attractive to sophisticated investors looking to generate long-term growth while protecting their portfolios in times of market stress and it also provides access to unique investment areas such as catastrophe bonds, aircraft leasing and corporate loans which are typically accessed via closed-end structures.

“The psyche of the Malaysian investor is evolving rapidly and there is an increased and more sophisticated demand for assets beyond equities and bonds but the market however can be complex and volatile.

“We are here to enable our clients to harness the benefits of genuine diversification and flexibly navigate through complexities with a simple and effective multi-asset strategy,” said Ambrose.

Mike Brooks is in overall charge of the strategy, heading a team of five in Edinburgh and alongside him are local teams in Asia Pacific which manage regional assets. 

Aberdeen’s multi-asset division globally has 58 strong investment professionals, with approximately US$121bn in multi-asset mandates as of 30 September 2017.

“We are only at the early stages of the market for multi-asset investments despite billions having already been raised in the region. 

“We see many compelling opportunities in the universe of alternative investments, ranging widely into third party products and non- traditional asset classes in liquid forms which many of our competitors don’t have the resources to investigate,” said Brooks

Aberdeen Standard Investment’s latest multi-asset strategy in Malaysia signifies a development of the Group’s longstanding capability and its commitment to local investors’ evolving needs. 

The Aberdeen Global Diversified Growth Fund is set to offer something different in a market which is far from saturated and where existing manager concentration may encourage a search for new ideas and choices.

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