Nikko Asset Management garners top awards in Singapore equities

Press Release

23 March 2016

Nikko Asset Management's Singapore Dividend Equity Fund, one of two flagship Singapore funds the firm offers, has once again edged out all other locally registered Singapore equity funds at The Edge-Lipper Singapore Fund Awards 2016 to bag two awards for best fund in the Equity Singapore category over three and five years1 . The win was announced by The Edge-Lipper on 21st March 2016.

The fund outperformed other funds in the same category after generating cumulative returns of 7% and 28% over three and five years respectively2 , as of 31 December 2015. The fund paid out approximately 5% in dividends in 20153 .

Earlier in February, the Singapore Dividend Equity Fund received the Gold Award for Singapore equities at the FSA (Fund Selector Asia) Fund Management Awards. The judges for this award took a forward-looking stance, expressing their views of the future performance of the funds they nominated from a shortlist provided by FSA in partnership with FE Advisory Asia, part of the UK-based Financial Express Holdings Group.

Nikko Asset Management also garnered top awards in Singapore equities at Institutional Investor's Asia Investment Management Awards 2015 in December. The Singapore equity strategy at the firm is helmed by Yeu Huan Lai and Kenneth Tang who co-manage the two flagship Singapore funds, namely, Nikko AM Shenton Thrift Fund and Singapore Dividend Equity Fund.

The Singapore Dividend Equity Fund has also been launched in Malaysia under the ASEAN CIS Framework, a first for a Singapore-domiciled fund. Said Terence Bong, Head of Intermediary Business Development at Nikko Asset Management in Singapore, "Launching a fund which has received multiple accolades is testament of our commitment of showcasing our best to Malaysian investors. We also have the support of two very strong partners on the ground Affin Hwang Asset Management Berhad and iFAST Capital Sdn Bhd."

With the aim to achieve capital appreciation by investing primarily in equities listed in Singapore that offer attractive and sustainable dividend payments, the fund appeals to investors who wish to seek regular income from their investments.

Said Yeu Huan Lai, senior portfolio manager, "In 2016, our stock selection strategy will focus on companies that represent 'the New Singapore'. These are companies operating in growth industries that will become more dominant in Singapore's maturing landscape. We also have significant exposure to companies that embody Singapore's role as a conduit for connectivity and intermediation, including businesses in the financial, trading and service industries. Lastly, we favour companies able to restructure themselves to extract value or perform better in an environment of slower growth."

1 The Singapore Dividend Equity Fund has won The Edge-Lipper Award for the 'Best Fund over 3 Years' in the Equity Singapore category for three consecutive years, from 2013 to 2015 and the 'Best Fund over 5 Years' in 2015.

2 Cumulative returns are calculated on a NAV-NAV basis and assuming all dividends and distributions are reinvested, if any. Past performance is not indicative of future performance.

3 The distribution of 5% in 2015 was derived based on the aggregated monthly distribution of 0.42% of the fund's month-end NAV per unit over 12 months. Distributions from the fund are not guaranteed and are at the discretion of the Managers. In the event that income and dividends generated from the underlying investments of the fund are insufficient to fund a distribution for the fund, the Managers may in their discretion, with the consent of the Trustee, determine that such distributions should be paid from the capital of the fund. Where distributions are paid out of the capital of the fund, the capital of the fund will be reduced and will be reflected as a reduction in the realisation price of units of the fund. For details, please refer to the fund's prospectus.

– ENDS –



For inquiries, please contact:

Asia ex-Japan Corporate Communications
Jeanie Cheah
12 Marina View
#18-02 Asia Square Tower 2
Singapore 018961
Phone: + 65-6500-5793
Email: jeanie.cheah@nikkoam.com

About Nikko Asset Management

With USD203.9 billion* under management, Nikko Asset Management is one of Asia’s largest asset managers, providing high-conviction, active fund management across a range of equity, fixed income, multi-asset and alternative strategies. In addition, its complementary range of passive strategies covers more than 20 indices and includes some of Asia’s leading exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

Headquartered in Asia since 1959, Nikko Asset Management and its subsidiaries employ personnel representing around 30 nationalities, including approximately 200 investment professionals**. The firm has a presence through subsidiaries or affiliates in a total of 11 countries and regions. More than 400 banks, brokers, financial advisors and life insurance companies around the world distribute the firm’s products.

The investment teams benefit from a unique global perspective complemented by the firm's historic Asian DNA, striving to deliver consistent excellence in performance. The firm also prides itself on its progressive, solution-driven approach, which has led to many innovative funds launched for its clients.

For more information about Nikko Asset Management and to access its investment insights, please visit the firm’s homepage.

* Consolidated assets under management and sub-advisory of Nikko Asset Management and its subsidiaries as of .
** Including employees of Nikko Asset Management and its subsidiaries as of .

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