<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR>Investors creeping back into Asian market
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Deutsche Asset Management's Mr Peter says there has been a 'net inflow' in DWS across the region for the first six weeks of the year.
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<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->INVESTORS are slowly returning to the region after strong volatility in equity markets prompted them to steer clear during the last quarter of last year.
Recent disclosures indicate they are becoming more bullish about Asia's recovery prospects.
Yesterday, DWS Investments - Deutsche Bank's retail mutual fund business - said that it has seen a net inflow for its funds in the region recently.
Its distributors here saw a slight pickup in fund sales last month, and this came on top of a net inflow of funds for Deutsche Asset Management's business for the whole of last year.
Mr Ed Peter, Deutsche Asset Management head for the Asia-Pacific and Middle East, said: 'We would be clearly 'net inflow' in DWS across the region for the first six weeks of the year.'
Analysts note that a key driver for fresh interest could be the activity sparked by the four trillion yuan (S$894 billion) Chinese stimulus package.
Recent data from Citigroup Investment Research shows that foreign investors have injected a net US$446.3 million (S$680 million) in funds buying into Chinese equities since the start of this year. This improving outlook forms the backdrop to DWS Investments' new Asia Select fund, which is set to invest in financially sound but undervalued Asia-focused companies.
DWS Investments believes that from a long-term perspective, current share valuations in Asia have rarely appeared more attractive.
Mr Richard Jones, DWS Asia Select lead fund manager, said: 'We believe that the expected reduction in earnings of Asia-focused corporations should only be temporary rather than permanent.'
The new fund's portfolio is to be built by buying company shares or assets at a significant discount - usually 40 to 50 per cent - to intrinsic value.
In the fund's model portfolio are companies such as Singapore Airlines, City Developments and Jardine Matheson. Mr Peter said: 'We're not saying jump into the water with two feet. We're saying put a foot into the water at this point in time.'
ALVIN FOO
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Deutsche Asset Management's Mr Peter says there has been a 'net inflow' in DWS across the region for the first six weeks of the year.
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<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->INVESTORS are slowly returning to the region after strong volatility in equity markets prompted them to steer clear during the last quarter of last year.
Recent disclosures indicate they are becoming more bullish about Asia's recovery prospects.
Yesterday, DWS Investments - Deutsche Bank's retail mutual fund business - said that it has seen a net inflow for its funds in the region recently.
Its distributors here saw a slight pickup in fund sales last month, and this came on top of a net inflow of funds for Deutsche Asset Management's business for the whole of last year.
Mr Ed Peter, Deutsche Asset Management head for the Asia-Pacific and Middle East, said: 'We would be clearly 'net inflow' in DWS across the region for the first six weeks of the year.'
Analysts note that a key driver for fresh interest could be the activity sparked by the four trillion yuan (S$894 billion) Chinese stimulus package.
Recent data from Citigroup Investment Research shows that foreign investors have injected a net US$446.3 million (S$680 million) in funds buying into Chinese equities since the start of this year. This improving outlook forms the backdrop to DWS Investments' new Asia Select fund, which is set to invest in financially sound but undervalued Asia-focused companies.
DWS Investments believes that from a long-term perspective, current share valuations in Asia have rarely appeared more attractive.
Mr Richard Jones, DWS Asia Select lead fund manager, said: 'We believe that the expected reduction in earnings of Asia-focused corporations should only be temporary rather than permanent.'
The new fund's portfolio is to be built by buying company shares or assets at a significant discount - usually 40 to 50 per cent - to intrinsic value.
In the fund's model portfolio are companies such as Singapore Airlines, City Developments and Jardine Matheson. Mr Peter said: 'We're not saying jump into the water with two feet. We're saying put a foot into the water at this point in time.'
ALVIN FOO
