First State broadens Asian offering with fund trio

First State is to launch a trio of Asia funds as it seeks to establish the reputation of its new Stewart Asia team.

First State broadens Asian offering with fund trio

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The Asia Focus, Asia All Cap and Japan Equity funds will be managed by the newly-formed Stewart Asia investment line-up within the firm’s open-ended investment company.

The funds will carry an unspecified mandatory initial fee and employing a restricted investment mandate.

First State outlined the objective behind the launch as establishing the team’s reputation as opposed to building assets, following the split of First State Stewart on 1 July.

The Stewart team was divided into a Hong-Kong element – which retained the First State Steward moniker – and the Edinburgh-based Stewart Investors, a decision driven by the firm’s desire to maintain small investment group pockets while keeping a blanket strategic approach.

Subject to regulatory approval, funds managed by Stewart Investors are set to be rebranded later in the year.