Russell reaches Taiwan distribution deal
Russell and Polaris pin hopes on Taiwan investors developing a taste for the lifestyle fund.
Russell Investment Group has reached a deal with TaiwanÆs Polaris Financial Group to distribute a suite of lifestyle funds.
The four-strong range of manager-of-manager funds products be distributed through Polaris Securities and Bank of Overseas Chinese in Taiwan. The funds are named after the maximum equity allocation which ranges from 35% to 90%, while the equity components can include US, European, Japan, Asia ex-Japan and emerging market stocks.
Russell already distributes similar products through Bank of East Asia in Hong Kong, Prudential and DBS in Singapore, and ICICI Bank in India. But the exact format and asset allocation structures vary according to client needs.
Bruce Pflaum, managing director at Russell in Singapore, says the market may not yet be ready for the concept of funds targeting specific events, such as childrenÆs education and supplementary retirement income. But he believes there is clear impetus for the multi-manager concept to become ingrained in the psyche of investors in Asia.
ôThis kind of product has been accepted in other countries,ö Pflaum explains. ôThe launch is a clear reflection of the fact that across Asia people need to have some mechanism in place to supplement retirement income. The products are geared to meet the needs of long-term retail investors. There is a growing realization in the commercial sector as well as in political circles and among private investors that this kind of product is needed.ö
Russell hopes investors will hold the funds, asset allocated among a group of 30 equity and bond managers for between five and 15 years, compared to most other products in the market that are typically held for much shorter periods.
The four-strong range of manager-of-manager funds products be distributed through Polaris Securities and Bank of Overseas Chinese in Taiwan. The funds are named after the maximum equity allocation which ranges from 35% to 90%, while the equity components can include US, European, Japan, Asia ex-Japan and emerging market stocks.
Russell already distributes similar products through Bank of East Asia in Hong Kong, Prudential and DBS in Singapore, and ICICI Bank in India. But the exact format and asset allocation structures vary according to client needs.
Bruce Pflaum, managing director at Russell in Singapore, says the market may not yet be ready for the concept of funds targeting specific events, such as childrenÆs education and supplementary retirement income. But he believes there is clear impetus for the multi-manager concept to become ingrained in the psyche of investors in Asia.
ôThis kind of product has been accepted in other countries,ö Pflaum explains. ôThe launch is a clear reflection of the fact that across Asia people need to have some mechanism in place to supplement retirement income. The products are geared to meet the needs of long-term retail investors. There is a growing realization in the commercial sector as well as in political circles and among private investors that this kind of product is needed.ö
Russell hopes investors will hold the funds, asset allocated among a group of 30 equity and bond managers for between five and 15 years, compared to most other products in the market that are typically held for much shorter periods.
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