The Tokyo-based asset manager said it has consolidated its multi-asset resources from New York, Sydney, London, and Tokyo.
Al Clark, who joined Nikko in March as global head of multi-asset will lead the 18-member core team, which is also supported by a three-member investment strategy team.
The team will oversee $24bn worth in assets for institutional and intermediary clients.
In view of increasing demand for multi-investment strategies from global investors, the fund house has plans to launch multi-assets products as well as integrated solutions for clients around the world.
Pending regulatory approvals, the fund house will be launching one such solution called Global Multi-Asset Conservative Strategy. As the name suggests, this will be a low-risk multi-asset strategy that invests globally with active asset allocation and adequate risk diversification, allocating at most 30% to equities.
Yu-Ming Wang, global head of investment said: “Multi asset is gaining a lot of attention from investors, and we are taking this action to serve growing demand across the globe.”
“Clients are demanding multi-asset funds as well as tailored solutions to maneuver through volatile markets to reach their investment targets.”
Wang added the asset manager would strengthen the investment capabilities further in Singapore which it has identified as the global hub for the international team.
With the volatility in global markets, multi-asset solutions have emerged as a key investment theme, Clark said at a press briefing. These solutions aim for returns by using dynamic asset allocation research which is tailored to work in all market conditions and at the same time protect the downside risk.
In terms of investment opportunities, Clark said: “Lot of assets are more expensive now. But, multi-asset has flexibility and has a globally broad range. So, within that range it is hardly unusual not to be able to find something that is attractive to invest in. We can find pockets of opportunities.”
Clark said he finds European and Japanese government bonds expensive in terms of valuation, but he favours Asian hard currency credit due to their spreads.
