KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA -
Media OutReach Newswire
- 24 June 2024 - Kenanga Investors Berhad ("Kenanga Investors") has
announced the launch of its latest product suite, the Kenanga
Alternative Series ("the Series"), marking another milestone in the
asset manager's commitment to providing unique and differentiated
investment solutions. This new series aims to cater to investors'
tactical needs while seizing emerging opportunities within dynamic
market segments. With the launch, the Series' two new funds have been
introduced; the
Kenanga Alternative Series: Income Opportunities Fund ("
KASIOF") and the
Kenanga Alternative Series: Structured Opportunities Fund ("
KASSOF"). Each Fund offers unique benefits, allowing investors to diversify and hedge their portfolios.
The KASIOF is an open-ended wholesale fund that seeks to generate stable
and attractive returns by investing into the Helicap Income
Opportunities Fund ("Target Fund"). The Target Fund is an open-ended
Asian private credit fund specialising in the alternative lending sector
managed by Helicap Investments Pte. Ltd ("Helicap Investments") to
achieve stable and strong risk-adjusted investment returns by providing
investors with access to private credit investment opportunities across
geographies and industry sectors throughout Asia.
The KASSOF is designed to provide capital growth through strategic
investments in structured products such as certificates, credit-linked
notes, equity-linked notes or other similar products while preserving
investors' capital. Acting as a tactical component within investors'
portfolios, the KASSOF aims to capture opportunities emerging from
prevailing market conditions and future expectations.
"We are glad to have positioned ourselves at the forefront of the
emerging alternatives investments movement. Recognising the brewing
storm in pre-pandemic markets, we foresaw the shift in investor
sentiment towards risk aversion. Since 2017, we have strategically
diversified our product offerings by introducing alternative investment
vehicles with fixed returns and lower risk compared to equities. Private
credit, in particular, has increasingly played a crucial role in the
financial system by providing loans to businesses that may otherwise be
unable to secure financing through traditional banks or public debt
markets. As such, we have observed lending activities by non-bank
entities picking up after the global financial crisis in 2008-2009,
reaching nearly USD1.7 trillion as of year 2024. With KASIOF, we can
offer investors a stable and consistent return profile and
diversification from traditional investment portfolios", said Datuk Wira
Ismitz Matthew De Alwis, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer
of Kenanga Investors.
"Regarding the KASSOF, a mixed-asset closed-ended Fund, we will
integrate our deep understanding of equity and fixed income markets,
interest rate forecasts, and global market trends to capture the best
opportunities for our investors," Datuk Wira De Alwis added. "This
approach ensures that the KASSOF can effectively navigate and capitalise
on prevailing and future market conditions."
On the collaboration between Kenanga Investors and Helicap Investments,
the latter's co-founder and Chief Investment Officer, Quentin Vanoekel
said "We are thrilled to partner with Kenanga Investors to develop the
adoption of private credit offerings in Malaysia. For the past six
years, our investment program has consistently generated stable returns,
delivering positive returns for 24 consecutive quarters. Mirroring the
key attributes of evergreen private credit offerings, the Target Fund
has historically demonstrated low annualised volatility, diversification
and low correlation with public markets. We believe this partnership
aligns perfectly with Kenanga Investors' ambition to bolster financial
inclusion throughout Southeast Asia. Furthermore, it will further
amplify Helicap Investment's mission to enhance institutional lending
capital to the micro, small, and medium enterprises sector in the region
through our borrowing partners."
The Hong Kong-based Asia Asset Management's 2024 Best of the Best Awards has awarded Kenanga Investors with the
Malaysia Best House for Alternatives title for five consecutive
years. This recognition underscores the asset manager's excellence and
innovation in the alternatives investment space, reaffirming its
position as a trusted leader in the industry. Both Funds are suitable
for Sophisticated Investors with short to medium term investment
horizons.