BIMB Invest, Arabesque launch Asia-Pacific big data fund

KUALA LUMPUR: BIMB Investment Management Bhd (BIMB Invest) and Arabesque Asset Management Holding Ltd aim to raise RM100 million from the newly-launched BIMBArabesque Asia-Pacific ShariahESG Equity Fund via the local and overseas markets within a year.

The fund is a syariah and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) compliant fund that invests in Asia-Pacific listed companies using financial technology and big data analytics, offering sustainable long-term capital appreciation opportunities.

BIMB Invest chief executive officer (CEO) Najmudin Mohd Lutfi, said the fund was unique and differentiated because it offered a new dimension of investing with Big Data technology and ESG in the AsiaPacific region.

“The fund’s investment process uses big data analytics to process more than 100 billion of data points in evaluating and analysing 7,500 listed stocks in the Asia-Pacific region to identify the best 140 stocks on a quarterly basis.

“Investors have an opportunity to invest in a fund that is systematically and transparently managed using big data technology and investing in companies that also adhere to the Shariah and ESG principles for sustainable investment performance”, he said in a statement today.

Meanwhile, Arabesque Partners CEO Omar Selim said the new fund complements the company’s existing global and Malaysia products and provided investors with comprehensive portfolio solutions.

“The portfolio construction process is based on our proprietary, rules-based, assessment of companies’ sustainability and financial performance and provide investors with sustainable long-term capital growth while directing capital to better companies,” he added.

The fund is being offered for subscription in the ringgit and US$ at RM0.25 and US$ 0.25 per unit respectively, for 21 calendar days during the initial offer period, from Jan 19-Feb 8, 2018.

The minimum initial investment required is RM500 or US$500, and can be subscribed from any Bank Islam branches nationwide, BIMB Invest’s Unit Trust Consultants, Phillip Mutual and KenWealth by Kenanga and available at www.fundsupermart.com. my, www.ifastcapital.com.my and www.eunittrust.com.my. — Bernama