Introduction of JPMorgan Global Strategic Bond Fund and JPMorgan Emerging Markets Opportunities Fund
Hong Kong: J.P. Morgan Asset Management today expanded its presence in Australia with the launch of a wholesale business including two new funds, JPMorgan Global Strategic Bond Fund and JPMorgan Emerging Markets Opportunities Fund.
George Gatch, chief executive officer of J.P. Morgan Asset Management’s Global Funds Management business, said, “We believe there is a significant market opportunity for our global funds in the Australian wholesale market which accounts for an estimated A$500 billion. We have a strong presence across the Asia Pacific region and this launch will extend our comprehensive investment capabilities to Australian investors, while underscoring our commitment to the Australian market.”
Commenting on the announcement David Hallifax, head of Australia Funds, J.P. Morgan Asset Management, said, “Over the past six months, we have consulted with platform providers, research houses and dealer groups to identify how our investment solutions can best meet investor needs.
“Our expansion into the wholesale market and the launch of these products is in response to the growing demand for unconstrained fixed income and global equities investments and will enable investors to gain direct access to J.P. Morgan’s international expertise and insights,” he added.
The JPMorgan Global Strategic Bond Fund is an unconstrained strategy that focuses on the best investment ideas from a diversified opportunity set across the global fixed income and currency markets. J.P. Morgan Asset Management manages USD$4.6 billion in unconstrained fixed income.
“Unlike many traditional fixed income funds that seek to outperform a stated benchmark, the JPMorgan Global Strategic Bond Fund is agnostic to its benchmark. This means that we have the flexibility to implement our most compelling trade ideas without being tied to any country, sector, or duration target and allows us to focus on such opportunities across the market cycle,” Mr Hallifax said.
The JPMorgan Emerging Markets Opportunities Fund seeks to outperform the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (Total Return Net) using a concentrated, high conviction, value-orientated portfolio strategy. The fund provides access to in-depth research covering almost 700 emerging markets companies. J.P. Morgan Asset Management manages USD$5.3 billion in this strategy globally.
“With valuations of emerging market equities trading around the 1.5 price-to-book multiple, this has traditionally been a good entry point for investors. We believe that adding exposure to Emerging Market equities at current valuations will benefit investors in the long term,” Mr Hallifax commented.
Mr Hallifax joined the firm in January last year to lead the development of J.P. Morgan Asset Management’s wholesale business in Australia, reporting to Jed Laskowitz, J.P. Morgan Asset Management Asia Pacific’s chief executive officer. David was previously head of Retail Distribution for Schroder Investment Management Australia Limited and brings over 12 years’ industry experience to the firm.
J.P. Morgan Asset Management started operating in Australia in 2010, with a range of tailored investment solutions, to service institutional investors.
Remarks:
[1] The funds mentioned in this news release are intended to be made available for direct investment to wholesale clients only, other persons may invest indirectly through wholesale platforms such as investor directed portfolio services (IDPS), IDPS-like schemes and other trading platforms.
[2] This news release contains only factual information, which is not intended to be and must not be taken as financial product advice. Independent advice must be obtained before making any financial decisions.
[3] The Investment Manager seeks to achieve the stated objectives. There can be no guarantee the objectives will be met.
[4] All data is as at 31st December 2013 and sourced from J.P. Morgan Asset Management.
