Inovatif

Tag: investment

  • Manulife Investments launches diversified real asset fund

    Manulife Investments announces the launch of the Manulife Diversified Real Asset Fund (the Fund), previously known as the Manulife Global Resources Fund. The Fund aims to protect investors in Malaysia against inflation amidst market volatility, while generating sustainable income and differentiated, diversified return streams compared to other equity or fixed income asset classes.

    The Fund will follow a diversified real asset strategy, which emphasises real returns through both intrinsic value and their ability to benefit from higher inflation. It targets four asset classes: natural resources equities (energy, metals and mining), REITs (U.S. and international REIT), infrastructure equities (utilities, communications, renewables, infrastructure), and fixed income (U.S. short-term credits & Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities).

    The Fund was restructured to include additional types of real assets that could benefit from a higher inflationary environment.

    Jason Chong, CEO, Manulife Investments said, “We recognise that investors are facing increasing challenges when it comes to managing their investments, especially with rising inflation and ongoing market volatility. Hence, we have designed the Manulife Diversified Real Asset Fund to help investors diversify and protect their wealth. Real assets could offer relatively stronger returns in a rising inflationary environment compared to traditional equity and fixed income securities. The Fund’s approach ensures that it can deliver not just the income, but also differentiated and inflation-adjusted growth.”

    He added, “The introduction of this Fund reflects Manulife Investments’ commitment to offering investors solutions that enable them to capitalize on the ever-changing market situation. We want them to stay ahead in today’s environment, as well as provide elevated stability and income potential, with increased confidence and control over their investments. Amidst the ongoing changes in global dynamics, the Fund could continue to serve as a portal for investors in Malaysia to access opportunities in the US and globally, while helping them navigate and benefit from periods of high inflation. With this launch, we now offer investors access to more than 60 unit trust and PRS funds, underscoring our strength and continued commitment to delivering a comprehensive suite of investment solutions tailored to evolving market needs.”

    The Fund will invest at least 85% of its net asset value (NAV) in Share class I3 Acc of the Manulife Global Fund – Diversified Real Asset Fund (the “Target Fund”), and the remaining NAV of the Fund will be in liquid assets such as money market instruments, placement of short-term deposits with financial institutions for liquidity purposes and/or derivative for hedging purposes.

  • Kenanga Investors celebrates multiple wins at the 2025 LSEG Lipper Fund Awards

    Kenanga Investors celebrates multiple wins at the 2025 LSEG Lipper Fund Awards

    Kenanga Investors Berhad (“Kenanga Investors”) was presented with a total of five awards at the LSEG Lipper Fund Awards 2025, surpassing previous successes by earning recognition across multiple categories,.

    The firm was recognised for the performance of the following funds:

    1. Kenanga DividendEXTRA Fund (“KDEF”) – Best Equity Malaysia Diversified – Malaysia Funds Over 3 Years
    2. Kenanga Malaysian Inc Fund (“KMIF”) – Best Equity Malaysia Diversified – Malaysia Provident Funds Over 10 Years
    3. Kenanga Balanced Fund (“KBF”) – Best Mixed Asset MYR Balanced – Malaysia Provident Funds Over 10 Years
    4. Kenanga Managed Growth Fund (“KMGF”) – Best Mixed Asset MYR Flexible – Malaysia Provident Funds Over 10 Years
    5. Kenanga SyariahEXTRA Fund (“KSEF”) – Best Mixed Asset MYR Balanced – Malaysia Islamic Funds Awards Over 10 Years

    Datuk Wira Ismitz Matthew De Alwis, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, expressed pride in the firm’s performance, stating, “These awards highlight our ongoing commitment to excellence and consistency, especially in delivering strong returns year after year, even in tough market conditions. Our success comes from a disciplined, bottom-up stock-picking approach, which helps us identify high-quality companies and spot opportunities others may miss. We dig deep into industry dynamics, company business models, and the key factors driving return on equity. Through thorough channel checks, we assess competitive advantages and growth drivers, focusing on management quality, sustainability, industry trends, and balance sheet strength. As such, we are glad to see our expertise demonstrated by our success in both conventional and Shariah categories”.

    Lee Sook Yee, Chief Investment Officer, shared the firm’s outlook for 2025, stating, “We will continue to emphasise stock picking, while maintaining a higher-than-usual cash allocation to ensure flexibility amidst ongoing external uncertainties. We will focus on sectors tied to Malaysia’s domestic growth story, such as financials, construction, and healthcare, while complementing these with increased defensive holding. Selected small-cap stocks could present an opportunity, especially after their underperformance compared to large-cap stocks in 2024. By staying consistent with our investment philosophy, I am confident we can manage our portfolios effectively to capitalise on market opportunities, even with volatility”.

    The performance1 of KMIF2 for the 2024 calendar year, which has received recognition for four consecutive times at the Awards, stands at 24.14%, significantly outperforming its benchmark of 16.98%. KDEF2 recorded returns of 21.31%, surpassing its benchmark of 16.98%, while KMGF3 delivered 19.24%, exceeding its benchmark of 10.39%. KBF4 posted a return of 18.53%, also outperforming its benchmark of 12.52%, and KSEF5 achieved 15.39%, outpacing its benchmark of 10.23%.

    The LSEG Lipper Fund Awards, granted annually, highlight funds and fund companies that have excelled in delivering consistently strong risk-adjusted performance relative to their peers. The Awards are based on the Lipper Leader for Consistent Return rating, which is a risk-adjusted performance measure calculated over 36, 60 and 120 months.

    With this year’s multiple wins, Kenanga Investors strengthens its position as a leading fund house in Malaysia, committed to delivering value and growth for its investors over the long term.

  • UOB launches Green Lane with Invest Johor to fast-track investments into JS-SEZ

    UOB launches Green Lane with Invest Johor to fast-track investments into JS-SEZ

    UOB announces the launch of the Green Lane with Invest Johor which will fast-track investments into the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ). This is one of the outcomes arising from the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with Invest Johor at the 2024 ASEAN Conference last August.

    Under the agreement with Invest Johor, UOB will undertake the pre-qualification assessment for customers’ applications for Johor’s Super Lane approval, according to the criteria set out by Invest Johor. This will further accelerate the processing turnaround time.

    To further streamline the process, UOB has introduced a Fast Lane Account Opening service for its Singapore customers looking to expand into the JS-SEZ, ensuring a fast and hassle-free experience. The Bank has also established dedicated JS-SEZ Desks in Johor and Singapore to provide swift support on financial solutions, account opening, and market entry to its customers.

    UOB also introduced its first client under the Green Lane, Gold Peak Technology Group (Gold Peak). Mr Michael Lam, Executive Director and Managing Director of Gold Peak officially presented a Letter of Intent (LOI) to Tuan Haji Natazha Hariss, Chief Executive Officer of Invest Johor.

    Present at the ceremony, YAB Dato’ Onn Hafiz said, “Since the signing of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), we have witnessed remarkable progress in strengthening cross-border trade and investment opportunities. Our partnership with UOB has gained strong momentum, reinforcing our shared vision of creating a seamless and thriving investment ecosystem within the JS-SEZ. This collaboration is a testament to our commitment to turning vision into action.

    “We are also pleased to welcome Gold Peak Technology Group’s investment, which brings advanced manufacturing capabilities, high-quality job opportunities, and sustainable economic growth to Johor. This is yet another milestone that aligns with our commitment to realizing the Maju Johor 2030 vision – transforming Johor into a globally competitive and sustainable economic powerhouse. As we move forward, we remain dedicated to attracting more high-value, future-ready investments that will further cement JS-SEZ’s position as a premier destination for innovation, industry, and sustainable development.”

    UOB will facilitate Gold Peak’s entry into the JS-SEZ, providing market entry advisory, cross-border banking services and financial solutions, as Gold Peak expands in the region. Gold Peak is a global leader in battery technology and energy storage solutions and is listed on the main board of Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Gold Peak’s proposed investment in the JS-SEZ is estimated to be RM670 million (US$150 million), involving the establishment of a state-of-the-art manufacturing and a research and development facility producing batteries with next-generation technologies.

    Gold Peak’s future facility will focus on producing next-generation battery technologies and is expected to play a pivotal role in advancing sustainable energy storage solutions, mainly for data centres, across Southeast Asia. The company’s proposed investment is expected to create approximately 150 to 180 employment opportunities, contributing to the region’s socio-economic development, driving innovation and providing new prospects for local talent. The investment also falls within one of the 11 key sectors the SEZ is promoting.

  • Maybank Asset Management launches first in-house Shariah Global Tech Fund to tap AI megatrends

    Maybank Asset Management launches first in-house Shariah Global Tech Fund to tap AI megatrends

    Maybank Asset Management Sdn Bhd (“MAM Malaysia”) is proud to introduce the Maybank Global Technology-I Fund (“the Fund”), its second in-house global fund and a key addition to its suite of Shariah-compliant investment solutions. Designed for investors seeking long-term capital growth, the Fund aims to offer investors access to high-growth technology companies that are shaping the future of the global economy while adhering to Shariah principles.

    Hisham Hamzah, CEO of MAM commented, “The launch of the Fund comes at a pivotal time as financial markets navigate heightened volatility. Following President Donald Trump’s return to office, the U.S. has imposed significant tariffs on key trading partners, including Canada, Mexico, and China, introducing renewed uncertainty in the global economy. Amid these challenges, investors seek resilient investment solutions, and the Fund is designed to meet this need.”

    He added, “Concurrently, China’s technological advancements are reshaping the competitive landscape. Notably, a Chinese startup has released a low-cost, high-performance AI model, R1, which has garnered significant attention and is seen as a major development in the AI industry. Keeping up with these rapidly evolving market developments can be complex for investors, requiring the expertise of professional fund managers to identify opportunities and mitigate risks. the Fund offers a unique opportunity to participate in the future of innovation while benefiting from professional investment management.”

    As an equity fund, the Maybank Global Technology-I Fund invests primarily in a diversified portfolio of Shariah-compliant equities and equity-related securities of technology-driven companies worldwide. By maintaining at least 75% of its net asset value (NAV) in global Shariah-compliant technology-related equities, the Fund aims to provide investors with meaningful exposure to cutting-edge innovations in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, digital payments, and cloud computing.

    Denominated in Malaysian Ringgit (MYR) as the base currency, the Fund is available in both retail (MYR Class) and institutional (MYR Institutional Class) offerings, with a minimum investment of RM1,000 and RM250,000, respectively.

    Investors are advised to read and understand the contents of the Fund’s Product Highlights Sheet and Prospectus, dated 6 February 2025, before making any investment decisions.

    The Maybank Global Technology-I Fund is now available on Maybank2U and Maybank branches nationwide. To learn more about the Fund, investors can visit www.maybank-am.com.my.

  • RHB #JOMBIZ empowers over 700 micro-entrepreneurs

    RHB #JOMBIZ empowers over 700 micro-entrepreneurs

    RHB Banking Group (“RHB” or the “Group”) celebrates the continued success of its #JomBiz programme, a socio-economic empowerment initiative aimed at empowering B40 micro-entrepreneurs. Since its launch in 2022, the programme has invested over RM1.1 million, benefitting more than 700 micro-entrepreneurs and delivering an impressive 35% average sales growth within just three months.

    The 2025 RHB #JomBiz Award Ceremony celebrated these remarkable achievements of selected micro- entrepreneurs from RHB Jom#Biz, showcasing the programme’s critical role in providing funding, capacity building, and mentorship to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) from the B40 group and underserved communities. The ceremony recognised the recipients of business incentive funding from Cohort 5 of the #JomBiz programme. Participants undergo capacity-building classes on topics such as social media marketing, sustainable business practices, and financial management. Following these sessions, they present their business plans to a panel of judges, with the top 10 proposals receiving initial funding ranging from RM5,000 to RM15,000 to support their business growth.

    Dato’ Mohd Rashid Mohamad, Group Managing Director/Group Chief Executive Officer of RHB Banking Group, emphasised RHB’s commitment to supporting micro-entrepreneurs, “We recognise the immense potential of MSMEs in transforming lives and uplifting communities, but we also acknowledge the challenges they face such as limited access to funding, lack of business knowledge, and the difficulty of building networks within competitive markets. This initiative reflects our unwavering commitment to driving growth, fostering resilience, and empowering participants to overcome obstacles and thrive in today’s dynamic economy.”

    At the graduation ceremony of Cohort 5, Dato’ Mohd Rashid also shared inspiring success stories from the programme, including participants who secured franchise opportunities and supply contracts with renowned companies after attending the Franchise Expo Malaysia (FEM) 2024 organised by the Malaysia Retail Chain Association (MRCA). Notably, four #JomBiz participants were recognised at The Star Outstanding Business Awards (SOBA) 2023.

    The top 3 winners of Cohort 5’s business incentive funding are:

    • 1st Place Puan Nurul Farhana Binti Amirul Hizan, Hanawarrah Creation Enterprise (healthy dried snack food products) – awarded RM15,000
    • 2nd Place Encik Mohd Shafiq Ezwanie Bin Jafri, Senju Co (pastry and bakery business) – awarded RM12,000
    • 3rd Place Puan Nur Shawani Binti Che Mansur, Wisymadani Resources (agro-tourism and agro-based industry business) – awarded RM10,000

    Dato’ Mohd Rashid concluded, “These stories inspire us at RHB to continue providing more platforms for our RHB #JomBiz participants. We hope their success inspires and motivates other micro-entrepreneurs to pursue their dreams.”

    RHB aims to expand the #JomBiz programme in 2025 to reach more participants and broaden its impact on Malaysia’s micro-entrepreneur community. The programme will continue to prioritise Asnafs, single parents, and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), ensuring inclusive opportunities for all.

    Learn more about how RHB #JomBiz can help micro-entrepreneurs achieve their goals by visiting https://www.rhbgroup.com/jombiz.