UOB Asset Management (UOBAM) has launched the United Global Innovation Fund (UGIF) to offer retail investors in Singapore the opportunity to invest in innovative enterprises of different market capitalisation across sectors and regions.
UOBAM’s new equity fund provides investors diverse exposure to companies seeking to drive structural change across industries and business models. This will enable investors to tap opportunities arising from game-changing trends – from advances in mobile, machine learning and automation technology to healthcare innovation and changing consumer preferences – through a single fund. Another key investment theme of the UGIF is climate action; investors would be able to help contribute positively to the environment impact through investments in companies in sectors such as renewable energy.
Mr Dharmo Soejanto, Senior Director, External Fund Managers Unit, UOBAM, said, “Innovation is a key business driver for many companies looking to outperform the competition and stock market as it can drive growth independent of the global economic and market cycles. The United Global Innovation Fund seeks to invest in companies that believe in creating constructive change and transformation, which can in turn lead to positive returns for investors even amid a slowing global economy and volatile market conditions. The fund’s long-term investment horizon also enables retail investors to gain exposure to high potential, early-stage companies expected to achieve substantial scale in time.”
The UGIF invests in companies for which innovation is core to their organisational culture, management mindset, capabilities, solutions, competitive advantage. This in turn would translate to their market readiness, growth potential and the industry entry barriers they create. Investments are made in companies from both developed and emerging markets across sectors, such as healthcare, finance, software and services, transport, manufacturing and retail.
In view of the time required for its investment themes to play out, the UGIF is suitable for investors who are seeking long-term capital appreciation and are comfortable with the volatility and risks of investing in an equity fund. The initial minimum subscription sum is S$1,000 or US$1,000.
Wellington Management Singapore is the sub-manager of the UGIF. The fund combines the complementary strengths of Wellington Management’s global asset management expertise and UOBAM’s strong local knowledge, investment expertise and regional footprint. The strategic collaboration underscores UOBAM’s continued focus to provide investment solutions for every generation of investors across Asia.
The UGIF was first launched in Thailand in November 2018 by UOBAM (Thailand). As at 31 May 2019, the fund has more than 133 million baht in assets under management and achieved 8.89 per cent returns year-to-date, 2.11 per cent higher than its benchmark MSCI All Country World Index.
