Blackrock has launched its first Asian equity fund for UK retail investors to help investors capitalise on the opportunities available.
The 'Blackrock Asia Fund' was launched on 1 July and will be managed by Andrew Swan who is head of Blackrock's Asian Fundamental Equities team and has 20 years experience managing Asia-Pacific funds.
He has worked for Blackrock since August 2011 and prior to that worked for JP Morgan for 17 years. He will be supported by 10 regional-focused analysts based in Asia.
The fund is designed to replicate the investment strategy of the offshore BGF Asian Dragon Fund which achieved net returns of 36.10 per cent versus the benchmark return of 26.38 per cent.
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It hopes to achieve long-term capital growth by investing primarily in companies domiciled or operating in Asia excluding Japan.
Mr Swan said: "Asian equity valuations are below their long-term averages making for an attractive equity point for long-term investors. And fundamentally, the profound changes taking place in consumption, income growth and demographics are reshaping the investment landscape in Asia.
"For some Asian economies, the historic investment-led growth dynamics of the past are fading. While in other parts of the region, particularly India and SE Asia, the demand drivers of growth are increasingly being supported by domestic demand, enhanced incomes and growing young populations."

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