This article was originally published by our sister title, PA Future
Stewart Investors has launched the Asia-Pacific and Japan Sustainability VCC fund, expanding its exposure to the Asia-Pacific market.
The fund is available as an EU-domiciled VCC in Europe. It aims to achieve long-term capital growth by investing in a portfolio of 30 to 60 companies in the Asia-Pacific region, including Japan, which are helping to bring about a more sustainable future. Managed by Doug Ledingham, the strategy is focused on investing in high-quality companies with diversified cash flows that can grow in value over the long term.
See also: Franklin Templeton launches FTSE Japan ETF
By investing directly in Japan, investors “can gain exposure to high-quality Japanese companies far earlier in their Asia growth journeys” and “access a greater pool of domestic companies with attractive growth opportunities”, Stewart Investors said. These firms are led by strong management teams and are well-positioned to contribute to, or benefit from, sustainable development, the firm added.
Ledingham said: “Asia is home to a number of pioneering entrepreneurs and business leaders who are advancing the continent’s sustainability push. Leveraging over three decades of expertise investing in the region, this latest fund reinforces our commitment to backing high-quality, competent stewards with resilient financials that can leverage global tailwinds to deliver sound returns. As always, our focus is on quality, and we invest in companies that are aligned with sustainable development.”
Last month, the group added a further emerging markets fund to its range of sustainability strategies with the launch of the Global Emerging Markets (ex-China) Leaders Sustainability fund. The fund is a long only equity UCITS fund investing in companies outside of mainland China seeking those with “exceptional cultures, strong franchises and resilient financials”.
