SINGAPORE (July 18): Aberdeen Asset Management has announced the launch of five of its funds in Singapore, including its first multi-asset funds in the nation.

In an announcement on Tuesday, the investment arm of Aberdeen Group says they are the group’s first Luxembourg-domiciled funds to be available direct to retail investors in Singapore, under the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) recognised scheme.

The new funds invest in areas such as catastrophe bonds, aircraft leasing and corporate loans. These are typically accessed via closed-end structures, says Aberdeen.

These include established funds such as the North American Smaller Companies Fund, which aims to achieve a long-term total return by investing in smaller US-based companies valued under US$5 billion – as well as the Select Emerging Markets Bond Fund which has assets in fixed interest securities issued corporations with their office in, and/or government-related bodies domiciled in an emerging market country.

The Australian Dollar Income Bond Fund, which invests its assets in AUD-denominated debt and debt-related securities related by corporations, is new.

Aberdeen’s multi-asset funds, Multi Asset Growth Fund and Multi Asset Income Fund, were originally launched in Europe about two years ago, and both actively manage allocation in investments in worldwide transferable securities.

“Aberdeen is especially excited about its multi-asset funds. It foresees continued demand for yield and new sources of return. This comes amid mixed signals in markets over the effect of a potential roll-back in quantitative easing and rising interest rates,” comments the group.

“According to Nicholas Hadow, Director of Business Development, Aberdeen’s approach to multi-asset differs from the majority of competitors because of its wide diversification, emphasis on low volatility and avoidance of complex derivatives.”