New Fund: CIMB-Principal Enhanced Opportunity Bond Fund

They say that the only constant in life is 'change'. Well, not always. Hopefully, with this new fund, you will find comfort in its stability. Furthermore, it aims to provide more returns than the current Fixed Deposit rate, and is more stable than equities. Riding on the growth of the Asian countries, investors have the opportunity to diversity their portfolio and increase the returns. This fund is only available until 4 April 2013 !

What is CIMB-Principal Enhanced Opportunity Bond Fund?

It is a close-ended fund that aims to provide investors with total return through investments in a portfolio of debt securities primarily in bonds. The fund seeks to achieve its overall objective by providing total returns consisting of a combination of interest income and capital appreciation. 

Investment Strategy

Under general market conditions, between 70% to 99% (both inclusive) of the Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) will be invested in non-ringgit debt securities primarily in bonds (including convertible bonds). Of the 99%, up to 40% of its NAV may be invested in unrated securities and high yield securities respectively while the remainder will be invested in investment grade securities. These investment grade securities are issued or backed by governments, government agencies, supranational organizations, corporate or other issuers. At least 1% of the Fund’s NAV will be maintained in the form of liquid assets such as bank deposits for liquidity purpose.

However, in the event of limited non-ringgit debt securities, the fund manager will have the discretion to invest in the ringgit debt securities primarily in bonds with yield at the prevailing market condition, if the fund manager is of the opinion that by doing so is in the best interest of the Fund.

While the Manager intends to adopt a buy-and-hold strategy for the Fund whereby the securities purchased will be held for the tenure of the Fund or to maturity of the securities,

the Manager reserves the right to deal with the securities in the best interest of the Unit holders in the event of a credit rating downgrade.

The Fund is suitable for investors who have three (3) years investment goals and are not planning to have access to their money in the next three (3) years. It is also suitable for investors who are seeking exposure to investment opportunities in debt securities.

Click here to download the fund prospectus

Source: Fund prospectus

New Fund: CIMB Islamic Al-Azzam Equity Fund

Launched on the same day with AmMutual new fund, the CIMB Islamic Al-Azzam Equity Fund is an open-ended fund that aims to achieve consistent capital growth over the medium to long term.

The asset allocation strategy for this Fund is as follows: 

• between 70% to 98% (both inclusive) of the Fund’s NAV will be invested in Shariah-compliant Malaysian equities; and 
• up to 30% of the Fund’s NAV in other Shariah-compliant investments and Shariah-compliant liquid assets, with at least 2% of the Fund’s NAV to be maintained in Shariah-compliant liquid assets.

For this Fund, the investment into Sukuk must satisfy a minimum credit rating of “A3” or “P2” by RAM or equivalent rating by MARC; “BBB” by S&P or equivalent rating by Moody’s or Fitch. In line with its objective, the investment  strategy and policy of the Fund is to rebalance the portfolio to suit market conditions in order to reduce short-term volatility and provide consistency in capital growth.


More on Investment Strategy...

CIMB-Principal combines a top-down asset and sector allocation process with a bottom-up stock selection process. The asset allocation decision is made after a review of macroeconomic trends in Malaysia and other global economies. In particular, CIMB-Principal analyzes the direction of gross domestic  product growth, interest rates, inflation, currencies and government policies.

CIMB-Principal will then assess their impact on corporate earnings and determine if there are any predictable trends. These trends form the basis for sector selection. Stock selection is based on the growth style of equity investing. As such, the criteria for stock selection would include improving fundamentals and growth at “reasonable valuations”. Stock valuation fundamentals considered are earnings per share growth rate, return on equity, price earnings ratio and net tangible assets multiples.

Who is suitable for this Fund? They are investors who: 

• have a medium to long-term investment horizon; 
• want a portfolio of investments that adhere to the Shariah principles; 
• want a diversified portfolio that includes Shariah-compliant equities and Sukuk; and/or 
• are seeking capital appreciation over medium to long-term.

Source: CIMB-Principal Asset Management
Click here to download the fund prospectus

CIMB-Principle Strategic Income Bond Fund 2

What is CIMB-Principal Strategic Income Bond Fund 2?

Take advantage of the world’s interest in Asia with an investment that aims to provide regular income with potentially higher returns (as compared to Fixed Deposit)! Persistent low interest rates in US and Europe have driven demand for Asian bonds. In addition, credit conditions are improving and may lead to potential rating upgrades in the next few years (Fitch Ratings, ADB, Bloomberg, January 2012). This sustained demand means there will be strong support for Asian bond prices in the future.

The CIMB-Principal Strategic Income Bond Fund 2 portfolio will comprise both investment grade securities and high yield securities. The Fund may also invest into foreign bonds which are more aggressive in nature for potential higher returns. This enables you to benefit in Asia’s high growth prospects via a more stable asset class as compared to equities.

Investment Strategy

The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing between 70% to 98% (both inclusive) of its NAV in a diversified portfolio of bonds and other fixed and floating rate securities issued by governments, government agencies, supranational organizations and corporate issuers. The Fund may also invest in structured products and/or derivatives such as forward contracts, options, futures contracts or swap agreements, of which the underlying are related/linked to the above-mentioned securities. The Fund may also invest in High Yield Securities, subject to a maximum of 40% of its NAV. At least 2% of the Fund’s NAV are maintained in the form of liquid assets such as money market instruments and/or bank deposits for liquidity purposes.

Why this fund may work to your very benefits?

• Offer potentially higher returns than a fixed deposit account (against current CIMB FD rate of 3.15% p.a)
• Aim to payout income distribution annually
• Gain exposure in fixed income securities in the local and foreign bond markets
• May buffer against future interest rate fluctuations

Please be aware that this fund is a close-end fund, which means you cannot buy into this fund after the offering period.

Source: CIMB-Principal

New Fund: CIMB-Principle Asia Pacific Dynamic Income Fund

On 25th April 2011, CIMB-Principle Asset Management Berhad launched the first Asia-Pacific fund for this year. The fund will invest in dividend-yielding stocks from the Asia Pacific (ex-Japan) region. To brings out the "dynamism" of the fund, a "color-changing dragon" was used. For sure, the company must has placed a lot of hard work to come out with the idea and I think it is a successful example which could attracts the attention of prospective investors.

"Investors are generally back to being bullish. After 2 very good years, valuations have recovered and Asia Pacific ex-Japan markets are up. Looking ahead, slower economic recovery of the developed markets will shift investors' appetite to Asia Pacific and this positive outlook will spur further stable investments. We are confident that markets will perform positively and this Fund will satisfy investors' revived sentiments and lingering concerns", said CEO of CIMB-Principal. 

Investment objective

The fund aims to provide regular income by investing primarily in the Asia Pacific ex Japan region and at the same time aims to achieve capital appreciation over the medium to long term.

How to achieve that?

Under general market conditions, the Fund's investment will focus on high dividend yielding equities of companies. In addition, the Fund may also invest in companies with good growth potential, which may adopt a strong dividend payout policy.

How about in not-so-good time?

The manager may take temporary defensive positions that may detract from the Fund's prescribed asset allocation when the manager believes that the equity markets that the Fund invests in are experiencing excessive circumstances, the Fund may invest all or a substantial portion of its assets in money market instruments and/or other fixed income investments. The manager may also utilize derivative instruments such as futures contracts to hedge the portfolio.

What is an active investment strategy that the Manager will adopt?

• combines top-down country and sector allocation with a bottom-up stock selection process
• reviewing the macroeconomic trends in Asia Pacific ex Japan economies
• analyzes the direction of GDP growth, interest rates, inflation, currencies and government policies to form the view and outlook for each country
• then, assessing their impact on corporate earnings and dividends and determine if there are any predictable trends

Investors profile:

• have a medium to long term investment horizon
• want a well diversified portfolio of Asia Pacifc ex Japan region
• willing to take moderate risks for potentially moderate capital returns over the long term
• seek regular income

What is the targeted return?

The fund is an equity income and growth fund with a target return of 8% per annum over the medium to long term. "We believe this is an achievable target even after the crisis in 2008. The demand for Asia Pacific ex-Japan equities is on the rise, with continued rapid urbanization and accompanying domestic consumption that have fueled high GDP growth in most Asia Pacific countries, which are higher than that of the US and Europe," added CEO.

Click here to download the prospectus

Source: CIMB-Principle website

New Fund: CIMB-Principal Strategic Income Bond Fund

Post-financial crisis, bonds remain the preferred asset class for more conservative investors because it is less volatile than equities. Asia, for example, remains a sound investment destination with rapid urbanization as a younger and higher population growth will necessitate greater infrastructure spending in the coming years.

To provides the golden opportunity, CIMB-Principal Asset Management Bhd has launched a new fund, that allows investors to capitalise on Asia, Australia, New Zealand and Middle East's improving credit conditions given the high potential of more rating upgrades.

"The demand for high-quality bonds in these targeted countries continues to remain high given the low interest rates outlook in the US and Europe, and this should support bond prices for the next few years. In addition, the slower economic recovery of these developed markets is shifting investment appetite to Asia. Combined with the likelihood of bond rating upgrades, this will mean potential good returns for investors who want to invest in regional high growth prospects in a stable manner." said Campbell Tupling, chief executive of CIMB-Principal Asset Management.

More about the fund....

This is a close-ended fund that aims to provide regular income and capital preservation through investments in predominantly bonds and other fixed and floating rate securities.

What's the strategy?

Generally, the fund adopts a buy-and-hold strategy by investing 70%-90% of its NAV in a diversified portfolio of bonds and other fixed and floating rate securities issued by governments, government agencies, supranational organizations and corporate issuers. The fund may also invest in structured products and/or derivatives, in which the underlying are linked to the above mentioned securities.

What's the bonds/securities rating you're looking at?

The fund may invest in investment grade securities and high yield securities, subject to a maximum 40% of its NAV in securities rated below "Baa" by Moody's or equivalent rated by S&P and Fitch.

The fund is suitable for investors who:

• have 3 years investment goals
• are not planning to have access to their money in the next 3 years
• are seeking exposure to investment opportunities in fixed income securities

Source: CIMB-Principal

Click here to download prospectus

 

Related post:

New Fund: CIMB-Principal Australian Equity Fund

New Fund: CIMB-Principal Australian Equity Fund

"Add stability to your portfolio, Invest in the strengths of Australia"

This is the tagline for the new fund, which is aiming to outperform the S&P/ASX 200 Accumulation Index over the medium to long-term, by feeding into Schroder Australian Equity Fund (an Australian-domiciled fund).

The fund will invest at least 95% of net asset value (NAV) in Schroder Australian Equity Fund, emphasising on investment in companies with sustainable competitive advantage in the long term, with a targeted annual return of 10-15%. According to its CEO Campbell Tupling, the Australian market presented exciting opportunities as it was the only major economy that had avoided a technical recession in 2009.

Key selling points:

1. Australia's positive economic outlook, with strong AUD currency.
2. Continue strong demand for its resources, especially from China.
3. Sound governance and effective financial policies.

Minimum invesment : RM 1,000

Minimum top-up      : RM   200

Service charge         : up to 6.5%

Initial offer price       : 25 sen