Seeyond, a fund manager specialising in quantitative investments and an affiliate of Natixis Investment Managers, received a greenlight from the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) to launch its Asia MinVol Equity Income Fund, according to records from the regulator.
First launched in January last year to professional investors, the fund is an Asia-focused smart beta product that aims for minimum volatility with high dividend yield.
It is the first fund that Seeyond has debuted in Hong Kong’s retail market, according to SFC records. The product has not been launched to retail and accredited investors in Singapore, according to FE data.
FSA sought more information, but the firm was not able to reply in time for publication.
In December, another Natixis IM affiliate, Loomis Sayles, received approval to launch its first retail fund in Hong Kong – the Loomis Sayles Multisector Income Fund, SFC records show.
Seeyond was previously a quantitative investment division within Natixis IM and spun off to become an affiliate in January last year. At the time, the firm managed around $8.58bn in assets and aims to double its AUM by 2021.
Another Natixis IM affiliate, Ostrum Asset Management (previously Natixis Asset Management), also aims to grow its AUM through the private and retail banking segments in Asia, as institutional money accounts for around 90% of the firm’s regional assets.
