6 | Wealth & Finance Fund Awards 2024 Best Fixed-Income Securities Fund (Since Inception): ZO Neo-Horizons Bond Fund On November 29th, 2019, Zhong Ou Asset Management International Limited was acquired by ZOAM and became its overseas subsidiary. With a focus on bespoke investment solutions for clients seeking sustainable and stable returns, the company is a well-respected member of its industry. For low-risk, low-return portfolios, the firm has a track record of success and sustainable growth, excelling its clients and growing alongside them. In 2007, it launched its first mutual fund, Zofund New Trend (LOF). In 2014, having achieved success over the years, it implemented Employee Stock Ownership Plans, and in 2017, the stakes owned by core employees rose to 51.7%. Since, the company has launched international fixed income and private money market funds, consolidating its position in its respective markets. Under the stewardship of chairman Jianping Liu, the company has seen its most profitable years. He is uniquely suited to the position with 27 years of industry experience and having held various prestigious positions such as Chief Compliance Officer for China International Fund Management Co. Ltd. He also currently serves as the Director of Asset Management Association of China (AMAC) and the head of its human resources and training committee. With a run of award wins for his experienced financial counsel, leadership, and innovation, he has remained a prominent figure in the industry for decades. The company’s journey has brought it from promising beginnings to a prominent asset management firm in Mainland China. Having evolved from Selene Limited to China Wise Asset Management, it now operates under ZOAM, holding type 1, 4, and 9 SFC licences, equipping it to advise on and deal securities and manage assets respectively. With Luxembourg and Hong Kong-based funds, its access to international markets offers clients the opportunity to find a strategy which suits them. In 2023, the company successfully launched its first Hong Kong SFC authorised public OFC fund and further obtained the type 1 (dealing in securities) licence from the SFC. Along with the company’s development, the team has accumulated rich experience in operating public funds, private funds, and managed accounts across different jurisdictions. The company’s investment team focuses on two key services, equity strategies and fixed-income strategies. The former seeks to identify quality Chinese companies which demonstrate growth potential to maintain steady growth. Meanwhile, its fixed-income strategy invests in debt securities issued by governments, government-related entities, and corporations in China in a risk-managed approach. “From the perspective of fixed-income strategies,” says Laura, “there is now a global all-weather strategy, global high-yield strategy, Chinese US dollar bond strategies, and multi-asset strategies.” Scrutinising key Chinese bond markets, the team performs macro analyses to assess variations in factors such as interest rates and market trends and forms its fixed-income strategies accordingly. These strategies are underscored not by relentless shifting but finding an adaptable, stable roster of products which forecast level excess returns over a long period of time, focused on outperformance in fixed investing. Laura sums this up by saying, “as an asset manager in such a volatile market, the rule of survival is to maintain good products with stable performance and sustainable quality.” Throughout these strategies, the team’s focus remains squarely on the client. Every member works collaboratively with their client to ensure that the strategy’s constituent parts all align with their individual goals, financial plans, and ideals. Regardless of a client’s desired risk-toprofit ratio, ZOAM is equipped to form the right portfolio, leveraging a widespread industry network and vast experience. Sincerely listening to and caring for the clients is what we consider the most important part of our client services. Whenever we communicate with a client, it is their requirements that matter the most. From their requirements, we can better match their interests with our strategies. The asset management world is a fast-evolving one, which means taking steps to remain at the cutting edge and provide the most current and relevant offering. As a stability-oriented company, ZOAM’s primary goal to remain there involves diversifying its scope and range of products while continuing to drive long-term performance. However, the firm is currently exploring exciting concepts like tokenisation, new financial instruments, observing emerging investment preference, and more. In its future, the company aims to provide its clients more options and tailor strategies even more closely to the individual investor. Meanwhile, its type 1 licence for dealing in securities represents potential opportunity for growth and expansion of the company’s services. In the company’s words, it aims to be a marketing centre, investment centre, Navigating international investment markets with confidence requires the right partner. Offering awardwinning fixed income strategies and a range of other bespoke services, Zhong Ou Asset Management International serves the Chinese and global market with diligence, advising on successful securities portfolios which yield results to suit the goals of every client. We got the chance to hear from the company through Director Laura Hsieh about its past growth, present work, and exciting future. “ “ ” ”
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