Since May 30, AsianInvestor has published explanations of why the winners of its marquee Asset Management Awards scooped their prizes (see below for the links). These were presented at a celebratory dinner on May 29 (click here for a gallery of photos).

We will feature a detailed write-up on all our award winners in the forthcoming June edition of AsianInvestor magazine. 

Best institutional product/strategy
UOB Asset Management (Malaysia)
UOB Asset Management has won for an exceptional delivery on an equity mandate carried out for one of Malaysia’s largest government-sponsored investors.

The mandate focuses on domestic small- to mid-cap equities, allowing the manager to short, but with cash at never more than 30% of the portfolio. The objective is an absolute return of 8.5% per annum and a return of 6%. Since inception the fund has exceeded the absolute-return benchmark and target return, often in tough conditions.

In 2015, the time weighted rate of return of 19% was well ahead of the reference index return of 3.9%. This was achieved with lower portfolio risk. Stock selection is a major factor and tactical decisions, such as the raising of cash levels, help the strategy. It is a delicate act for the manager to balance outperforming an absolute-return benchmark and a relative benchmark to receive performance fees.

The long-only nature of the fund and the cash limit presented a challenge to preserve returns in a declining market. But as the overall return demonstrated, it was an obstacle the firm surmounted with ease. 

The other winners highlighted so far:

Invesco: Asset Manager of the Year and Best Business Development

UOB Asset Management: Asian Fund House of the Year

HSBC Securities Services: Asset Service Provider of the Year

Andrew Narracott, Aberdeen Asset Management: COO of the Year

LGT Capital Partners: Alternatives Manager of the Year

Goldman Sachs AM: Institutional Solutions Provider of the Year