New Fund: PB Dynamic Allocation Fund

Another new fund for the month of June, Public Mutual launched PB Dynamic Allocation Fund which allows the investor the opportunity to participate in tactical asset allocation strategy where instruments are allocated between the difference asset classes of equities, fixed income securities and money market instruments based on a flexible investment mandate. The fund may capitalize on potential investment opportunities if the market outlook is positive while reducing its equity exposure when weakness in the equity markets is expected.

As such, its equity content may range between 30% to 98% of the NAV of the fund. The balance of the fund's NAV may be invested in fixed income securities and liquid assets which include money market instruments and deposits.

Investment Strategy

Although the fund is actively managed, the frequency of its trading strategy will very much depend on market opportunities. The fund employs both the top-down and bottom-up approach to evaluate its investments. For its equity investments, the fund will invest in a diversified portfolio of blue chip stocks, index stocks and growth stocks listed in domestic and selected foreign stock markets. In identifying such companies, the fund adopts the bottom-up approach which relies on fundamental research.

The fund's investment may include listed warrants and options to enhance its returns. Also, it may consider investments in unlisted equities, particularly in companies that are expected to seek listing on the Bursa Securities or selected foreign markets within a time frame of 2 years.

Equity Linked Participation Notes?

More detail on equities, the fund may invest in equity linked participation notes for selected foreign stocks listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange. Equity linked participation notes are instruments designed to track designated securities. The movement of these notes are similar to the underlying shares listed in their respective markets.

Click here to download the prospectus

Source: Public Mutual

New Fund: Public Strategic SmallCap Fund and Public Enterprises Bond Fund

Public Mutual today launched two new funds, namely Public Strategic SmallCap Fund (PSSCF) and Public Enterprises Bond Fund (PENTBF), and categorized as equity growth and bond fund respectively.

Public Strategic SmallCap Fund seeks to achieve capital appreciation over the medium to long term period through investments primarily in companies with small market capitalization, by investing in stocks with market capitalization of up to RM1.25bn at the point of purchase. The fund may also invest in companies which at the point of purchase form the bottom 15% of the cumulative market capitalization of the market which the stock is listed on, although the fund will focus its investments in the domestic market.

Funds' key data were shown at the end of this post...

To achieve increased diversification, the fund may invest up to 30% of its NAV in selected foreign markets if the returns are assessed to be promising. The fund generally maintains equity exposures within a range of 70% to 98% against its NAV, while balance in fixed income securities and liquid assets.

On the other hand, Public Enterprises Bond Fund seeks to provide annual income through investments in fixed income securities and money market instruments, by investing at least 75% of its NAV in sovereign bonds and corporate bonds issued by entities with total assets exceeding RM3bn at the point of purchase. To achieve diversification, the fund may invest up to 30% of its NAV in foreign fixed income securities.

What would be the credit ratings?

The bonds invested must have minimum credit rating of BBB for long-term instruments and P1 for short-term instruments as rated by local or foreign rating agency, at the point of purchase.

PENTBF Specific Benefits 

The fund allows the investor access to the bond market, which is usually inaccessible to the average investor as the standard transaction block amounts to RM5bn. Through this bond fund, it may potentially produce returns that are generally higher than fixed deposits.

Source: Public Mutual and Funds' prospectus

New Fund: Public Islamic Savings Fund

The Public Islamic Savings Fund (PISVF) is  an Islamic equity fund that seeks to provide income over the medium to long-term period by investing in a diversified portfolio of primarily Shariah-compliant Malaysian stocks which offer or have the potential to offer attractive dividend yields. PISVF may also invest in Shariah-compliant growth or recovery stocks that have the potential to eventually adopt a dividend payout policy.

As the Fund focuses its investments mainly in the domestic market, PISVF offers investors an opportunity to capitalise on Malaysia’s resilient economic growth prospects in the medium to long-term. The performance of selected Shariah-compliant sectors of the Malaysian economy is expected to remain supported by sustained consumer and investment spending over the longer term.

To achieve increased diversification, the Fund may also invest up to 30% of its net asset value (NAV) in selected foreign markets which include  Singapore, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Luxembourg and other permitted markets.

Growth Prospects for the Malaysian Economy

The Malaysian economy is expected to expand by 4.5% in 2011 and 5.4% in 2012 supported by resilient domestic demand amid higher investment spending and firm private consumption. Despite the anticipated slowdown in external demand amidst a more challenging global economic environment, Malaysia’s domestic economy is supported by  sustained  growth in disposable income, favourable demographic trends and affordable lending rates.

Over  the medium to long-term, higher investment spending under the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) is expected to boost the performance of  selected Shariah-compliant sectors in Malaysia. The communication sector should experience an increase in activities with targeted rollout of 10 content and infrastructure projects with an estimated investment value of RM51billion. This sector offers promising growth prospects as improved communications infrastructure is expected to contribute to the enhancement of business transactions, improvement in information flow and formation of new knowledge in developing high valued human capital in the coming years.

Meanwhile, the consumer sector should continue to benefit from sustained consumer spending in tandem with  resilient incomes. Consumer spending is projected to grow on the back of increased urbanisation, favourable demographics and the government’s efforts to promote tourism activities. To date, the government has announced a total of 12 out 27 projects in the retail and tourism industries with an estimated value of RM25billion under the ETP. 

Furthermore, the 2012 Federal Budget announced in October 2011 contained a wide range of measures to enhance the economic well-being of the lower income, middle-class and the elderly groups. These measures are expected to enhance household disposable incomes and support consumer spending.

The oil & gas sector is also a major beneficiary under the ETP with the national oil company PETRONAS spearheading the initiatives. Since the launch of the ETP, 12 out of 65 projects have been announced with  an estimated investment value of RM88.2billion.

Lastly, the infrastructure sector should experience an increase in activities with the roll-out of projects such as the RM40 billion - RM50 billion Greater Kuala Lumpur Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) project and numerous new highways in the Klang Valley.

Click here to download the prospectus

Source: Public Mutual

New Fund: PB Growth Sequel Fund

Public Bank is launching a new fund, PB Growth Sequel Fund (PBGSQF) on 15 November 2011. PBGSQF is an equity fund that invests in a diversified portfolio of primarily Malaysian equities to achieve capital growth over the medium- to long-term period. PBGSQF is managed by Public Bank’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Public Mutual.

Fund Specific Benefits

PBGSQF provides investors the opportunity to participate in the medium- to long term growth potential of the equity market through investments in a diversified portfolio of  index-linked companies, blue chip stocks and companies with healthy growth prospects that are listed on Bursa Securities.

PBGSQF will invest in companies with reasonable earnings growth prospect over the medium- to long-term to maximize the growth potential of the fund. Some of the sectors that the fund would focus on include financial, communications, industrial and consumer sectors.

What is the Asset Allocation?

To achieve increased diversification, PBGSQF may invest up to 30% of its net asset value (NAV) in selected foreign markets which include Singapore, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, China, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Luxembourg and other permitted markets. 

The equity exposure of PBGSQF will generally range from 70% to 98% of its NAV. PBGSQF is suitable for investors who wish to participate in the medium to long-term growth potential of companies listed on Bursa Securities.

What else should I know?

The Fund may also invest in equity linked Participation Notes for selected regional stocks listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange. Equity linked Participation Notes are instruments designed to track designated securities. The movement of these notes are similar to the underlying shares listed in their respective markets. These Notes are issued by international foreign broking houses for investment by investors who are not able to invest directly in the underlying foreign shares.

Other than that, the Fund may also invest in:

• listed warrants and options (if any) to enhance its returns.
• unlisted equities with attractive potential returns, particularly in companies that are expected to seek listing on the Bursa Securities or selected regional markets within a time frame of two years.
• collective investment schemes both in the domestic or selected regional markets.
• fixed income securities such as sovereign bonds, corporate debt and money market instruments to generate returns.

Source: Public Mutual

New Fund: Public Ittikal Sequel Fund

The Public Ittikal Sequel Fund (PITSEQ) is a Shariah-compliant capital growth fund that invests in a diversified portfolio of index-linked companies, blue chip stocks and companies with growth prospects listed on the Bursa Securities. The fund may also invest in sukuk such as sovereign sukuk, corporate sukuk and Islamic money market instruments to generate returns.

The Fund will focus its investments mainly in the domestic market, capitalising on opportunities arising from Malaysia’s resilient economic growth prospects in the medium-to long-term. Some of the sectors that the Fund may invest in include consumer, industrial, telecommunications and utilities sectors.

How about foreign investment?

To achieve increased diversification, the Fund may invest up to 30% of its NAV in selected foreign markets. The foreign markets which the fund may invest in include Singapore, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, China, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, India, Australia, United States of America and other permitted markets.

Free Takaful?

The fund comes with free takaful coverage on Group Term Life with Total and Permanent Disability plus Group Personal Accident for unitholders aged between 18 to 59 years with a minimum NAV of RM5,000 at any point of time. The amount of takaful is equal to the NAV of units held in the ratio of RM1 takaful coverage for every RM1 NAV of units held, subject to a maximum amount of RM100,000 per unitholder of the fund.

Source: Public Mutual

New Fund: PB Asia Emerging Growth Fund

Ignoring the volatile and not-so-positive market currently, Public Mutual Bhd launched 3 funds in a row on 6th Sept 2011 to fill investors appetite. They were PB Asia Emerging Growth Fund, PB Bond Fund, and PB Sukuk Fund. Here, we will be only highlighting the equity fund.

PB Asia Emerging Growth Fund seeks to achieve capital growth over the medium to long-term period by primarily investing in the securities of emerging small to medium-sized companies in domestic and regional markets. The fund generally maintains equity exposures within a range of 70% to 98% against its NAV. The balance of the fund's NAV may be invested in domestic and foreign fixed income securities and money market instruments.

Investment Strategy

Generally, companies with reasonable earnings growth prospect are selected. In identifying such companies, the fund relies on fundamental research where financial health, industry prospects, management quality and past track record of the companies are considered. Although the fund is actively managed, the frequency of its trading strategy will very much depend on market opportunities.

What else can the fund invest into?

• Equity linked Participation Notes (instruments designed to track designated securities)
• Listed warrants and options to enhance its returns
• Unlisted equities with attractive potential returns (which are expected to seek listing within 2 years)
• Futures contracts to hedge against market volatility

Click here to download the fund's prospectus

Source: Public Mutual website

New Fund: Public Islamic Treasure Growth Fund & Public Sukuk Fund

Public Mutual recently launched two local funds. One is an equity growth fund, while another one is a bond fund.

Public Islamic Treasures Growth Fund (PITGF) seeks to achieve capital growth over the medium to long-term period by investing primarily in small and medium sized companies, which comply with Shariah principles.

 

The fund will invest in Shariah-compliant securities with market capitalization of up to RM6 billion at the point of purchase or companies which form the bottom 30% of the cumulative market capitalization of the market which the stock is listed on at the point of purchase. The fund will focus its investments in the domestic market with equity exposure ranging 75% - 98% of its NAV. To achieve increased diversification, the fund may invest in selected foreign markets if the returns are assessed to be promising.

Another SUKUK fund in the selves?

Meanwhile, Public Sukuk Fund (PSKF) seeks to provide annual income through investments in sukuk and Islamic money market instruments, by investing at least 75% of its NAV in a portfolio of sukuk such as sovereign sukuk and corporate sukuk with the balance invested in Islamic money market instruments. To achieve increased diversification, the fund may invest up to 30% of its NAV in foreign sukuk if the returns are assessed to be promising.

Source: Public Mutual

Click here to download prospectus

New Fund: Public Singapore Equity Fund

Singapore is into a new era now after opening its door to casinos, which attracted massive foreign direct investments. The small little island poised to grow further boosted by various industry, not only gaming.

"The fund enables investors to participate in the growth prospects of Singapore's resilient economy and attractive valuations. Investors can ride on the potential upside of the Singapore dollar over time," said CEO Yeoh Kim Hong.

About the fund

The fund seeks to achieve capital growth over the medium-to-long term mainly by investing in Singapore stocks, though it may invest up to 30% of its NAV in global markets. As such, the fund will invest in a diversified portfolio of blue chips, index stocks and growth stocks.

"The fund would focus on sectors with resilient growth prospects such as banking and finance, properties and real estate investment trusts, consumer, offshore and marine engineering groups, services and commodity sectors," added the CEO.

Investments that may also included:

• Listed warrants and options to enhance its returns
• Unlisted equities with attractive potential returns, particularly in companies that are expected to seek listing on the Singapore, domestic and global markets within a time frame of two years
• Collective investment schemes with similar investment objectives in the Singapore, domestic and global markets
• Domestic and foreign fixed income securities such as sovereign bonds, corporate debt and money market instruments to help generate returns

Source: Public Mutual

Click here to download prospectus

New Fund: PB Asia Pacific Enterprises Fund

Looking good on the long-term growth potential Asia Pacific region, Public Bank is launching its equity fund, the PB Asia Pacific Enterprises Fund on March 8. Managed by Public Mutual, the fund will focus on companies with market capitalization of US$ 1 billion and above in domestic and Asia Pacific, through a diversified portfolio of companies.

By investing in mid-to-large corporations, investors would be better positioned to benefit from the resilient activities in the Asia Pacific region. These type of companies tend to perform better given their leading positions in their respective industries and established market shares, especially during challenging market conditions just as now.

What did Public Mutual's CEO said?

"After a strong rebound in 2009, global and regional equity markets continued their uptrend in 2010 amidst improving economic activities. Despite the recent spike in oil prices, regional equity markets are expected to remain underpinned by reasonable valuations and resilient economic growth prospects over the medium-to-long term."

Fund Features

• The fund may invest up to 98% in selected Asia Pacific markets
• Equity exposure: 75% - 98%
• Exclusively distributed by Public Bank
• Suitable for investors with aggressive risk-reward temperament

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Related Posts:

Public Islamic Alpha-40 Growth Fund

PB Indonesia Balanced Fund

Public Optimal Growth Fund

New Fund: Public Islamic Infrastructure Bond Fund

Public Islamic Infrastructure Bond Fund is an Islamic bond fund that seeks to provide annual income to investors through investments in sukuk of companies in the infrastructure sector.

The fund allows investors to access the sukuk market, which is usually inaccessible to the average investor as it is a market for institutions where the standard transaction lot is RM5 million. Sukuk issued by companies in the infrastructure sector are generally underpinned by predictable cash flows and stable income stream over the respective issuer's concession period. Example, companies with power plant concessionaires, telecommunication service providers, toll-road concessionaires and port operators.

The fund invests up to 98% of its NAV in a portfolio of sukuk of companies involved in the infrastructure sector and the balance of its assets in Islamic money market instruments. To achieve increased diversification, the fund may invest up to 25% of its NAV in foreign sukuk, which includes Singapore, United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, Hong Kong and other permitted markets.

The fund is suitable for investors seeking the stability of annual income with some safety of principal via participating in sukuk issued by companies in the infrastructure sector.

Source: Public Mutual

New Fund: Public Islamic Alpha-40 Growth Fund

Public Islamic Alpha-40 Growth Fund is an Islamic equity fund that seeks to achieve capital growth by investing up to a maximum of 40 selected Shariah-compliant blue chip stocks, index stocks and growth stocks listed primarily on Bursa Securities and regional markets.

The fund adopts a more focused investment strategy and is able to achieve potentially higher returns over the mid to long term as it concentrates its investment in a portfolio of not more than 40 stocks. Currently, 88% of securities listed on local bourse are Shariah-compliant representing about two-thirds of Bursa Malaysia's market capitalization.

The equity exposure will generally range from 75% to 98% of its NAV. To achieve increased diversification, the fund may invest up to 30% of its NAV in selected foreign markets, which include Singapore, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, China, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines and other markets.

Source: Public Mutual

New Fund: PB Indonesia Balanced Fund

Today, Public Bank is launching its latest fund, PB Indonesia Balanced Fund, which primarily invests in the Indonesian market including Indonesian businesses or companies listed in other permitted markets. The fund adopts a balanced asset allocation (60% equity: 40% fixed income) approach to participate in the long-term growth prospects of the Indonesian market. The fund is managed by Public Mutual.

Key investment points:

1. Indonesia is the largest economy and one of the fastest growing countries in Southeast Asia.
2. An emerging economy which charted a healthy growth rate averaging 5.1% per annum (2008-2009)
3. Large domestic demand base with robust consumer spending, and rich of commodities.

Key features

Offering period   : 12th Oct - 1st Nov 2010

Initial price         : RM 0.2500 per unit

Initial investment : Min RM 1,000

Top-up              : Min RM 100

Service charge   : Up to 5.50%

Source: Public Mutual

New Fund: Public Indonesia Select Fund

Public mutual is launching a new fund, Public Indonesia Select Fund on 1^st September 2010. The fund invests in a diversified portfolio of blue chips, index stocks and growth stocks primarily in the Indonesian market, with up to 30% of its net asset value invested in the Malaysian and other global markets.

Public Mutual’s CEO said Indonesia, which has the largest economy in South East Asia, is poised to be one of the fastest growing economies in Asia after China and India.

Key selling points:

1. Huge domestic base, being the 4^th most populated country in the world.


2. Rich in resources


3. Improved fiscal position in recent years

The fund would focus on sectors which include banking & finance, commodities, building materials and consumers. The fund is a niche product suitable for aggressive investors who wish to capitalize on the long-term growth prospects of Indonesian market.

Offer period                 : 1 – 21^st September

Min investment             : RM 1,000

Min top-up                  : RM 100

Entry fee                      : 5.50%

New Fund: Public Optimal Growth Fund

On June 8, Public Mutual is launching a new fund, Public Optimal Growth Fund (POGF).

To achieve optimum returns for investors, this fund invests in a diversified portfolio of dividend and growth stocks in the domestic market.

According to Public Mutual’s CEO, global and regional equity markets had rebounded from multi-year lows in March 2009 on optimism that global economic activities would continue to strengthen on the back of government stimulus spending and supportive monetary policies.

“The domestic market should remain underpinned by the strengthening pace of economic recovery throughout the Asia Pacific region, resilient liquidity conditions and reasonable valuations,” she said.

New Fund: Public Far-East Alpha-30 Fund

Tag: "Achieve higher potential returns by investing in 30 choice stocks". Yet, Public Mutual is launching another new equity fund which focuses its investment in 30 choice stocks listed in domestic and regional markets with the aim of achieving potentially higher returns over the medium to long-term. The fund is suitable for aggressive investors.

What is Alpha?

Alpha is defined as excess returns obtained as a result of certain investment strategies undertaken by a fund. One of the strategies for a fund to achieve alpha or excess returns is via "focus investing" which involves maintaining a concentrated portfolio of up to 30 stocks that are expected to outperform the broader market over time.

Funds which practise focus investing are suitable for investors with higher risk profiles seeking potentially higher returns as the fund's concentrated portfolio may result in increased volatility over short-term periods. 

To achieve increased diversification, the fund my invest up to 98% of its net asset value (NAV) in selected Far East markets which include South Korea, China, Taiwan, Japan, Hong Kong, Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, India, Australia, and other permitted markets.

Initial Offering Period : 6 - 26 April 2010

Service Charge          : 5.50%

Minimum Investment  : Rm 1,000

Minimum Top-Up      : Rm   100

Initial Issue Price        : Rm 0.2500

Source: Public Mutual, The Star