Robeco has launched a Sustainable Asian Bonds fund to give investors access to the growing ESG bond market in the region.
The fund is set to invest in hard-currency Asian corporate and sovereign bonds. It will aim to provide long-term capital growth for investors and for a dividend yield of 4-6% per year throughout the cycle.
It will be exposed predominantly to Asian companies issuing debt that contribute to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The fund’s benchmark has been set as the JP Morgan Asia Credit Index.
Robeco head of fixed income (Asia) Thu Ha Chow will be the lead portfolio manager for the fund and Reinout Schapers, who is responsible for Robeco’s global credit funds and sustainable emerging credit strategy, will act as co-portfolio manager.
Chow, who was recently appointed to his current role, said: “The Asian fixed income market has a crucial role to play in financing the transition to a sustainable future.
“I’m excited to be managing the Sustainable Asian Bonds fund and together with the team applying the SDGs in combination with superior credit selection, allowing our clients to benefit from the opportunities in the region and have a positive sustainable impact.”
The fund’s launch follows Robeco’s expansion to its Singapore office with six additional investment professionals with further hires planned later in the year.
These additions bring Robeco’s total number of employees in the region to 25, including its Hong Kong and Shanghai offices.
© 2022 funds europe
