Nikko AM Global Internet ETF recently received approval from the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC), according to the regulator’s website, making it available for sale to retail investors in Hong Kong.
The product is not listed yet on Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX) and further details are unavailable.
FSA contacted the firm but it was unable to provide more information in time for publication.
It will be Nikko Asset Management’s second product and first ETF in Hong Kong. The first product, the Asian Small Mid Equity Fund, was launched in January, 2017.
In Singapore, the firm has a larger offering of 33 authorised products for sale.
Earlier this year, the firm debuted a themed fund in Singapore that focuses on “disruptive innovation”.
Nikko AM has $224bn of total assets under management, according to the firm’s website.
Thematic boom
In addition to Nikko’s disruptive innovation product, several themed funds have been launched in the region year-to-date and more than one has “innovation” in the fund name.
In Hong Kong, Amundi Asset Management last week launched the Global Education Opportunities Equity Fund, which invests in businesses that have exposure in various education-related sectors.
The fund, which is domiciled in Hong Kong, received SFC approval for retail distribution in June.
Value Partners in February rolled out the Asian Innovation Opportunities Fund, which is a mixed-asset product.
In Singapore, in August, Janus Henderson joined a number of firms who have been pushing thematic products in the region.
Other managers include UOB Asset Management, which launched a global innovation fund. Allianz Global Investors is also expected to launch three thematic products in Singapore, while Blackrock received approval from both the MAS and SFC to launch three thematic funds.
However, several of the region’s private banks and wealth managers have cautioned that they would avoid investing in narrowly-focused themes.
