AMUNDI, an asset manager with 1.48 trillion euros in AUM, announced on October 15 the launch of thematic global equity funds for retail investors in Singapore and Hong Kong, further enhancing Amundi’s thematic investment range in Asia.
These offerings are in response to growing demand for alternative sources of return and enable investors to seize opportunities from the megatrends that are driving today’s world. Such megatrends include changes in technological innovations, demographic trends and environmental challenges.
In Singapore, five thematic global equity funds, CPR Invest Climate Action, CPR Invest Education, CPR Invest Food for Generations, CPR Invest Global Disruptive Opportunities, and CPR Invest Global Silver Age, are now available for retail investors with the investment objective to outperform global equity markets over a long-term period, with a minimum of five years.
Vincent Mortier, deputy chief investment officer and Asia ex-Japan supervisor at Amundi, says, “We are excited to continue to introduce unique, innovative investment solutions to Hong Kong and Singapore. Asia is Amundi’s second domestic market and is underpinned by strong economic fundamentals and growing wealth.”
The funds are managed by CPR Asset Management, a subsidiary of Amundi, and represented in Singapore by Amundi Singapore Limited.
In Hong Kong, the Amundi HK Global Education Opportunities Equity Fund is an addition to the firm’s current suite of locally-domiciled thematic investment products. The three existing funds cover the themes of green planet, global aging and disruptive innovation and were launched in 2006, 2015 and 2018 respectively.
Education is a key investment theme that is gaining popularity with Asian investors. It is one of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals that has been defined to achieve a better and more sustainable world.
This is the first known education-themed strategy offered to Hong Kong and Singapore retail investors. It also adheres to LuxFLAG-labelled responsible investment guidelines. The investment universe covers the entire spectrum of education, investing in all sectors related to the theme, from early years, through primary and secondary education to lifelong learning.
Education needs, driven by some of the most powerful trends of our time, represent a promising potential for growth. Global annual education expenditure is expected to grow by 104% between 2015 and 2030, reaching US$10 trillion by 2030.
In China specifically, more than US$685 billion was spent on education in 2018, according to the Ministry of Education. Population growth and the expansion of the middle class in emerging countries are driving demand for education facilities, services, content and tools.
Valérie Baudson, CEO of CPR Asset Management, says, “Our team is always looking to identify and define new themes which have their origins in long-term cycles of relevance to people’s lives. Our thematic approach provides an alternative to traditional strategies by leveraging genuine, long-lasting trends and deviating from a constraining reference index.”
Baudson adds, “We believe education is the next long-term, sustainable theme. There are powerful, structural trends at play, making the sector an attractive opportunity for investors seeking huge growth potential.”
