Despite the worst start of global markets in the last two decades Bank of Singapore and Lion Global Investors have launched the Lion-Bank of Singapore Asian Income Fund, which was offered exclusively to Bank of Singapore clients.
Bank of Singapore raised $126 million during the 3-week Initial Offer Period (11 January – 2 February 2016) amidst increasing capital outflows globally. Investors were attracted by the Fund’s diversified portfolio of Asian equities and bonds with a covered equity call option strategy and a target distribution 5-6 percent p.a.
Bank of Singapore is responsible for asset allocation decisions, the equity portfolio construction and implementing the covered call strategy as part of its discretionary portfolio management service, while Lion Global Investors manages the fixed income portfolio.
Case for Investing in Asia
«2016 has seen global markets get off to the worst start in the last two decades, this prompted us to tap on OCBC’s strong wealth platform to generate this investment opportunity in line with our long term investment views,» said Marc Van de Walle, Bank of Singapore’s Global Head of Products.
The Fund, which invests in Asian equities and fixed income instruments, presents ample opportunities for potential upside, given Asia’s relatively stable macroeconomic outlook and attractive valuations.
While China’s reform and economic transition continues, Asia is comparatively strong among emerging economies, with high levels of foreign exchange reserves, limited external debt, undervalued exchange rates and adequate policy flexibility.
