The Aberdeen Standard SICAV I Frontier Markets Bond Fund and the Aberdeen Standard SICAV I Australian Dollar Income Bond Fund have received approval from the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) last week, according to the regulator’s records.
“The registration of the two funds is part of our strategy to further diversify our investment offerings across different asset classes for retail investors in Hong Kong,” a spokeswoman for the firm told FSA.
The two Luxembourg-domiciled funds are already available to retail and accredited investors in Singapore, according to FE Fundinfo.
Last year, the firm filed application with Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) for the SICAV I Frontier Markets Bond Fund.
Frontier markets are considered less developed than emerging markets and therefore higher risk. Only one other such bond fund is available for sale in Asia — the Frontier Markets Fund from Global Evolution Funds, according to FE Fundinfo.
The Australian Dollar Income Bond Fund was launched in June 2017 in Europe.
Managed by Garreth Innes, the fund aims to achieve a combination of income and growth by investing in bonds issued by companies, governments or other bodies, according to its factsheet.
The top three holdings are Westpac Banking (5.0%), Vodafone (4.6%) and Macquarie (4.5%) while the top ten holdings account for 35.7% of the fund’s total assets.
The Aberdeen Standard SICAV I Frontier Markets Bond Fund vs category average since inception
The Aberdeen Standard SICAV I Australian Dollar Income Bond Fund vs category average and benchmark since inception
AB in Singapore
Separately, the AB China A Shares Equity Portfolio Fund is awaiting the approval of MAS, according to the regulator’s website.
Once approved, the product will be available to retail investors in Singapore.
The product aims to invest in A-shares through cross-border schemes, according to its prospectus.
“The portfolio may invest in China A-shares through one or more capital markets regimes providing access to China, including the Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect Scheme, the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect Scheme, a qualified foreign institutional investor (QFII) quota and its its renminbi equivalent (RQFII) quota held by the management company or an affiliate,” the prospectus added.
The Luxembourg-domiciled fund is already available in Europe.
FSA contacted the firm but it declined to provide more details.
Last year, ASI received approval from the SFC for seven products.
The AB China A Shares Equity Portfolio Fund vs category average and benchmark since inception
