Hong Leong Asset Management Bhd (“Hong Leong AM”) has launched its first Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) fund, the Hong Leong Global ESG Fund (“HL Global ESG Fund” or “the Fund”), which aims to provide investors with medium- to long-term capital growth by investing in a globally diversified portfolio of companies focusing on ESG criteria in the investment process.
The HL Global ESG Fund will incorporate the principles of ESG in security selection through MSCI ESG Ratings. MSCI is one of the world’s largest ESG research providers¹, and their ratings are designed to measure a company’s resilience to long-term industry-relevant ESG risks. Combining the capabilities of our investment team with this widely recognised ESG rating provider demonstrates our commitment to selecting top quality companies that will potentially enhance returns for our investors. Additionally, the Hong Leong AM investment team will continue to adopt its bottom-up stock-picking strategy which has proven effective and has been validated by industry awards.
Hoo See Kheng, Chief Executive Officer of Hong Leong AM said, “The launch of HL Global ESG Fund represents a milestone for Hong Leong AM. With the increasing demand among investors for responsible and sustainable investments, we are committed to helping our investors achieve their financial objectives whilst meeting their ethical and sustainability goals. We will continue to grow our sustainable investing solutions and accelerate our investment strategies through active asset allocation and portfolio diversification whilst managing market volatility in order to generate measurable returns for our investors.”
In line with Hong Leong Group’s vision of sustainability and creating a positive social impact, Hong Leong AM together with Hong Leong Bank Berhad (“HLB”), is collaborating with The Asli Co., a social enterprise focused on providing sustainable income for Orang Asli or indigenous mothers in a campaign exclusively for HLB customers. During the campaign period, eligible unit trust investors of HLB who invest a minimum amount of RM1,000 in the Fund will receive a plant in a unique cement pot that has been handcrafted by the Orang Asli mothers from Kampung Orang Asli Serendah.
Jason Wee, Founder of The Asli Co. shared, “We are honoured to be part of the HL Global ESG Fund launch initiatives and are delighted for the Funds’ investors as they will be contributing towards not one, but two social impacts. Firstly, underprivileged stay-at-home Orang Asli mothers are given financial opportunities to create sustainable income to supplement their family’s income and keep their children in school to complete their education. Secondly, investors of the HL Global ESG Fund will play a part in reducing and recycling waste as used plastic cups are used by the indigenous mothers when moulding the cement pot.”
The HL Global ESG Fund which is distributed through Hong Leong AM offices and HLB branches nationwide is priced at RM1.0000 per unit during the initial offer period (“IOP”) until 10 May 2022. The minimum initial investment is RM1,000 while the minimum additional investment amount is RM100.
