First State Investments (Hong Kong) Limited (“FSIHK” or the “Firm” or “We”) is a company, which was
incorporated under the laws of Hong Kong in 1987. FSIHK has been registered as an investment adviser
registered with the SEC since 2015. FSIHK is licensed by the Securities and Futures Commission in Hong
Kong FSIHK provides investment advisory services to clients from its principal business office located in
Hong Kong. As a result, FSIHK currently is and will continue to be licensed with the Securities and Futures
Commission in Hong Kong and subject to regulations by the Hong Kong regulatory authorities.
FSIHK is part of First Sentier Investors (“FSI”) a global asset management business. FSIHK is 100% owned
by Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking Corporation (MUTB) and ultimately 100% owned by Mitsubishi UFJ
Financial Group, Inc (MUFG).
We provide discretionary investment management services primarily to non-U.S. institutional clients and
pooled investment vehicles or “funds” that invest in a number of asset classes including equities, fixed
interests, credits and cash securities. In addition, currently FSIHK provides investment advisory services to
a group affiliate located in the U.S. With respect to institutional clients, through separate accounts, where
we agree upon investment objectives with the clients and specify investment guidelines which would be set
out in their investment management agreement with FSIHK. For funds, each fund will have an investment
objective and a set of investment policies and/or guidelines that FSIHK must follow.
The investment policies/guidelines typically describe the investment parameters and types of securities that
are eligible for (or prohibited from) the account.
FSIHK tailors the advisory services and fees charged to clients and the type of reporting they receive.
FSIHK does not participate in any wrap fee programs or act as a custodian.
As of December 31 2019, FSIHK had a total of US$33,424,904,844 assets under management. This includes
assets where we have sub-delegated discretion to an affiliate and assets where an affiliated manager has delegated
authority to FSIHK. Therefore, certain of the assets will also be included in the assets under management reported
by our affiliated managers.
Management Services Each client account is designed to meet a particular investment goal. Through discussions with the client,
the client’s goals and objectives are established. Once the account has been funded, it will be managed in
accordance with the objectives, investment guidelines and restrictions through a third party custodian who
retains ownership of the securities which comprise the account on their behalf.
please register to get more info
Fees and compensation are negotiated on a case by case basis with our clients. We will either charge an
advisory fee based on a percentage of assets/funds under management or clients may choose to pay a fee
consisting of a combination of a percentage of assets/funds under management and a performance based
advisory fee.
Clients typically pay advisory fees monthly or quarterly in arrears, and performance based fees are calculated
in accordance with the agreed formula and paid annually in arrears.
We generally invoice clients directly for the fees they have incurred. We will not deduct our fees directly
from the clients account, however the client may instruct the custodian to pay us out of the assets in the
account once the fee calculation has been reviewed and accepted.
In addition to FSIHK’ advisory fee, clients will incur other fees and expenses charged by third parties in
relation to their account, including, for example custody fees, brokerage, foreign exchange fees and other
transaction costs.
Account termination provisions are specified in the individual client agreements; however, generally the
client may terminate the agreement by providing us with written notice at our principal place of business.
Upon termination of any account, any prepaid, unearned fees will be promptly refunded, and any earned,
unpaid fees will be due and payable.
please register to get more info
Performance Fees In certain instances as described above, FSIHK is compensated under performance-based fee arrangements.
FSIHK provides concurrent advisory services to clients that are not charged a performance-based fee and
clients that are charged such a fee. Thus, the potential for us to receive greater fees from performance-based
accounts itself creates a potential conflict of interest regarding the allocation of investment opportunities.
To minimize these potential conflicts, the allocation of commitments and decisions to invest in investment
opportunities made by FSIHK for all discretionary clients with capital available for investment in the relevant
strategy of the opportunity at such time, will be in accordance with the FSIHK investment allocation process.
The FSIHK allocation process takes into account multiple criteria, including specific and individual account
objectives, account size and capital available for investment, the stage of development of an account’s
portfolio, the existing investment mix of an account, the diversification needs of the account, the size of the
investment opportunity and the criteria for investment set out in the agreed investment disciplines.
Side by Side Management FSIHK manages different types of accounts having different investment arrangements. Side-by-side
management of client accounts gives raise to potential conflicts of interest. Potential conflicts arises where
the actions taken on behalf of one account impact other similar or different accounts (e.g., because such
accounts have the same or similar investment styles or otherwise compete for investment opportunities, have
potentially conflicting investments or investment styles, or have differing abilities to engage in short sales
and similar types of transactions).
To acknowledge this conflict, FSIHK have established policies and procedures that seek to provide assurance
in that investment decisions are made in accordance with the fiduciary duties owed to such accounts.
Item 12 (Brokerage Practices) of this brochure describes our policy on allocating trades fairly, which is
designed to allocate trades to clients in a fair and equitable manner over time, taking into consideration the
interests of each client.
please register to get more info
We provide investment advice primarily to non-U.S. institutional investors. Institutional investors include
but not limited to:
– Banks or other financial institutions
– Pension plans
– Investment companies
– Pooled investment vehicles, UCITS, other non-U.S. regulated funds
– Insurance companies
– Corporate investment schemes
– State and municipal governments
– Sovereign funds
– Other investment advisers
– Charitable organisations
FSIHK typically requires a minimum account size of US$50 million for a separate account. We reserve the
right to waive the above minimum account size or minimum annual fee requirements.
Investments in pooled investment vehicles that we manage or advise are also subject to minimum
investment requirements. Please refer to the offering documents of such funds for more information.
please register to get more info
Introduction FSIHK manages client accounts and funds that invest predominantly across Asian (including China and
Japan) and Global Emerging Market equities.
We have applied a consistent philosophy to investing in Asian and Global Emerging Markets: a focus on
quality companies, considering risk with an absolute mind set, adopting a long-term time horizon with a keen
eye to reasonably priced growth prospects. We believe that companies in emerging markets are frequently
mispriced and as active managers, we seek to exploit these inefficiencies using disciplined investment
management techniques.
We believe that the experience of our investment team and a rigorous research approach enable us to identify
quality companies whose potential is underestimated by the market. We make direct contact with over 1,000
companies every year and are uncompromising in our screening process. Sustainability, in its broader social
and environmental sense, is another pivotal theme underpinning our thinking.
Investment Approach Being a separate and dedicated fund management business allows us to focus on our key strengths in asset
management, while developing a performance culture to better position us to attract and retain quality
personnel that will underpin the performance of our clients’ investments. We also ensure that our interests
are aligned with those of our clients and uphold a culture of always acting in our clients’ best interests.
Key Strategies Asia Pacific excluding Japan
We employ a bottom-up research process which combines regular company visits with extensive fundamental
analysis.
Our investment research aims to identify the highest quality companies with sustainable long-term earnings
per share growth prospects and focuses on those stocks where we believe the market has incorrectly priced
future growth potential.
Emerging Markets
We have been managing global emerging markets equities through both pooled and segregated portfolios.
We maintain a conservative style in what can be a volatile asset class, focusing on capital preservation as
well as growth. We aim to produce consistent long-term outperformance, seeking out opportunities that
allow us to invest in the highest quality companies in the emerging markets universe.
Japan
Japan is covered by our Asia Pacific investment team. We employ a bottom-up research process which
combines regular company visits with extensive fundamental analysis. Our aim is to identify the highest
quality companies with the sustainable long-term earnings per share growth, strong balance sheet and
management team. We focus on capital preservation as much as growth. We aim to produce consistent long-
term performance and find highest quality companies to invest in Japan.
Material Risks for Investment Strategies As with any investment, loss of principal is a risk of investing with any of the investment strategies described
above. The strategies described above also are subject to the risks summarised below. However, the
following list of risk factors does not purport to be a complete explanation of the risks involved in an
investment strategy. Prospective clients are encouraged to consult their own financial advisors, legal and tax
professionals on an initial and continuous basis in connection with selecting and engaging the services of
FSIHK for a particular strategy. In addition, due to the dynamic nature of investments and markets, strategies
may be subject to additional and different risk factors not discussed herein.
Investments in portfolios are not bank deposits and are not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency, entity or person. Past results are not predictive of
future results, and clients should also refer to portfolio guidelines as well as to each portfolio’s governing
documents for further information on methods of analysis, investment strategies and risks specific to their
portfolio investment.
General Risks Market risk - Investment returns are influenced by the performance of the market as a whole. This means
that investments can be affected by things like changes in interest rates, investor sentiment and global events,
depending on which markets or asset classes the client invests in.
Security and investment-specific risk - Within each asset class and each option, individual securities like
mortgages, shares, fixed interest securities or hybrid securities can be affected by risks that are specific to
that investment or that security. For example, the value of a company’s shares can be influenced by changes
in company management, its business environment or profitability. These risks can also impact on a
company’s ability to repay its debt.
Liquidity risk - Liquidity risk refers to the difficulty in selling an asset for cash quickly without an adverse
impact on the price received. Assets such as shares in large listed companies are generally considered liquid,
while ‘real’ assets such as direct property and infrastructure are generally considered illiquid.
Under abnormal or difficult market conditions, some normally liquid assets may become illiquid, restricting
the ability to sell them and to make withdrawal payments or process switches for investors without a
potentially significant delay or discount to value.
Counterparty risk - This is the risk that a party to a transaction such as a swap or foreign currency forward
fails to meet its obligations such as delivering a borrowed security or settling obligations under a financial
contract.
Non-Diversification Risk - Non-diversification of investments means a portfolio may invest a large
percentage of its assets in securities represented by a small number of issuers. As a result, the portfolio’s
performance may depend on the performance of a small number of issuers.
Concentration Risk - Concentrating investments in a particular country, region, market, industry or asset
class means that performance will be more susceptible to loss due to adverse occurrences affecting that
country, region, market, and industry or asset class. A portfolio concentrating in a single jurisdiction is subject
to greater risk of adverse economic conditions and regulatory changes than a portfolio with broader
geographical diversification.
Derivatives Risk - Certain of the portfolios may use derivatives, specifically options, index options, interest
rate caps, collars, futures contracts, options on futures contracts, and forward currency exchange contracts,
to manage various types of risk, enhance a portfolio’s return, reduce transaction costs, maintain full market
exposure, manage cash flows, preserve capital or hedge against adverse movements in currency exchange
rates.
The use of derivatives presents risks different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with
investing directly in traditional securities. The use of derivatives can lead to losses because of adverse
movements in the price or value of the underlying asset, index or rate, which may be magnified by certain
features of the derivatives, and changes in the value of the derivative, may not correspond, as intended, with
changes in the value of the underlying asset, index or rate.
These risks are heightened when the adviser uses derivatives to enhance a fund’s return or as a substitute for
a position or security, rather than solely to hedge (or offset) the risk of a position or security held by the
portfolio. In addition, when the portfolios invest in certain derivative securities, there is the possibility that
they are effectively leveraging their investments, which could result in exaggerated changes in the net asset
value of the portfolios’ shares and can result in losses that exceed the amount originally invested.
Deflation Risk - Deflation risk is the risk that prices throughout the economy decline over time, which may
have an adverse effect on the market valuation of companies, their assets and revenues. In addition, deflation
may have an adverse effect on the creditworthiness of issuers and may make issuer default more likely, which
may result in a decline in the value of a portfolio.
Inflation Risk - Inflation risk is the risk that the value of assets or income from investments will be worth
less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the real value of an account
and distributions can decline.
Management Risk - The investment strategies, techniques and risk analyses employed, while designed to
enhance returns, may not produce the desired results. The assessment of a particular security or assessment
of market, interest rate or other trends could be incorrect, which can result in losses.
Political and Economic Risk - International investing is subject to the risk of political, regulatory, social, or
economic instability in the country of the issuer of a security, the difficulty of predicting international trade
patterns, the possibility of the imposition of exchange controls, expropriation, limits on removal of currency
or other assets, and nationalization of assets.
Asset Allocation Strategy Risk - Asset allocation strategies do not assure profit and do not protect against
loss.
Force Majeure Risk - Force majeure is the term generally used to refer to an event beyond the control of any
party, including acts of God, fires, floods, earthquakes, wars, strikes and acts of terrorism. Some force
majeure risks are uninsurable and, if such events occur, they may adversely affect the value of a security.
Preferred Security Risk - Preferred securities are subordinated to bonds and other debt instruments in a
company’s capital structure and therefore will be subject to greater credit risk than those debt instruments.
Potential Environmental Risk - The portfolio may hold securities in an issuer who may be liable for the costs
of removal or remediation of hazardous or toxic substances. The costs of any required remediation or removal
of such substances may be substantial. The presence of such substances, or the failure to remediate such
substances properly and any regulatory penalties may adversely the value of the securities causing a loss.
Style-Specific Risk - Different types of stocks tend to shift in and out of favour depending on market and
economic conditions. To the extent a portfolio emphasizes a value style of investing, it runs the risk that
undervalued companies’ valuations will never improve.
Currency risk - Returns from offshore investments can be impacted by foreign exchange movements.
Currency hedges are, therefore, established to ensure that foreign exchange movements do not have a
meaningful influence on performance. These facilities are reviewed on an on-going basis.
Underlying Asset Currency Risk - The assets of a company may be held in a country other than where the
security is issued. This has the potential to create an additional underlying currency risk for that security.
Changes to laws and regulatory risk - A government or governmental agency in a country in which a security
is issued or asset held may amend, repeal, enact or promulgate a new law or regulation, or a government
authority or a court may issue a new interpretation of existing law or regulation that could substantially affect
the security resulting in a loss. In addition changes in legal, tax and regulatory regimes within the jurisdictions
of investments may occur which may materially affect the performance of a security.
Company specific risk - This is the risk that a company in which FSIHK invests does not perform as
successfully as anticipated. While it is impossible to completely eliminate this risk, the effect of such a
situation on the value of the investment can be reduced through diversification. This implies that unless
returns of individual securities are perfectly positively correlated, a negative return from one security will be
somewhat offset by better returns in others. This principle of diversification acts to reduce risk and reduce
the return volatility of our portfolios.
Additional risks associated with investing in emerging markets Where a strategy invests in securities of issuers located in countries with emerging securities markets, risks
additional to the normal risks inherent in investing in conventional securities are generally present. The
investments may be considered to be speculative in nature as they involve a greater than normal degree of
risk and their market values may be expected to be of above average volatility. These risks include:
Currency depreciation - A portfolio’s assets will be invested in securities which are denominated in
currencies other than those of developed countries and any income received by the portfolio from those
investments will be received in those currencies. Historically, many developing countries’ currencies have
experienced significant depreciation against the currencies of developed countries. The currencies of some
developing countries may continue to fall in value against currencies of developed countries.
Country risk - The value of a portfolio’s assets may be affected by uncertainties within each individual
emerging market country in which it invests such as changes in government policies, nationalisation of
industry, taxation, the underdeveloped and often untested legal system, currency repatriation restrictions and
other developments in the law, practice or regulations of the countries, in particular, by changes in legislation
relating to the level of foreign ownership in companies in some emerging countries.
Social, Political and Economic Factors - The economies of many of the emerging countries where portfolios
may invest are generally subject to a substantially greater degree of social, political and economic instability
than certain developed countries. Such instability may result from, among other things, the following;
authoritarian governments, popular unrest associated with demands for improved political, economic and
social conditions, internal insurgencies and terrorist activities, hostile relations with neighbouring countries
and drugs trafficking. This instability can impair the financial conditions of issuers or disrupt the financial
markets in which the portfolios invest.
Taxation risk - The tax law and practices of certain emerging markets may not be fully developed or
sufficiently certain. Any future changes in these laws and practices or their interpretation can adversely affect
the value of the portfolios.
Stock market practices - Many emerging markets are undergoing a period of rapid growth and are less
regulated than many of the world’s leading stock markets. In addition market practices in relation to
settlement of securities transactions and custody of assets in emerging markets can provide increased risk
and may involve delays in obtaining accurate information on the value of securities and the risk that the
investments may not be accurately registered. These stock markets, in general, are less liquid than those of
the world’s leading stock markets. Purchases and sales of investments may take longer than would otherwise
be expected on developed stock markets and transactions may need to be conducted at unfavourable prices.
Some emerging markets require that moneys for settlement be received by a local broker significantly in
advance of settlement and that assets are not transferred until some time after settlement. This exposes
investment portfolios to additional counterparty risk arising from the activities of the broker during these
periods.
Information quality - Accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, practices and disclosure
requirements applicable to some companies in emerging markets in which portfolios may invest may differ
from those applicable in developed countries because less information is available to investors and such
information may be out of date or carry a lower level of assurance.
Strategy specific risks – China Equities Series
China Market Risk - The value of assets can be affected by uncertainties such as political developments,
changes in government policies, taxation and restrictions on foreign investment in China. Accounting,
auditing and reporting standards in China generally do not provide the same degree of investor protection or
information to investors as would generally apply in more established securities markets. Furthermore, the
legislative framework in China for the purchase and sale of investments and in relation to beneficial interests
in those investments is relatively new and untested. Both the Shanghai and Shenzhen securities markets are
in the process of development and change. This may lead to trading volatility, difficulty in the settlement and
recording of transactions and difficulty in interpreting and applying the relevant regulations.
Under the prevailing tax policy in China, there are certain tax incentives available to foreign investment.
There can be no assurance, however, that these tax incentives will not be abolished in the future. Many of the
People’s Republic of China (PRC) economic reforms are unprecedented or experimental and are subject to
adjustment and modification, and such adjustment and modification may not always have a positive effect
on investment in listed securities such as China A Shares.
The choice of China A Share issues currently available to FSIHK are limited as compared with the choice
available in other markets. There is also a lower level of liquidity in the China A Share markets, which are
relatively smaller in terms of both combined total market value and the number of China A Shares which are
available for investment as compared with other markets. This could potentially lead to severe price volatility.
The national regulatory and legal frameworks for capital markets and joint stock companies in the PRC are
still developing when compared with those of developed countries. Currently, joint stock companies with
listed China A Shares are undergoing split-share structure reform to convert state owned shares or legal
person shares into transferable shares with the intention to increase liquidity of China A Shares. However,
the effects of such reform on the A-Shares market remain to be seen. Also, the PRC government’s control of
currency conversion and future movements in exchange rates can adversely affect the operations and financial
results of the companies invested in by a Fund. In light of the above mentioned factors, the price of China A
Shares may fall significantly in certain circumstances. The tax laws, regulations and practice in the PRC are
constantly changing, and they may be changed with retrospective effect.
please register to get more info
Registered investment advisers are required to disclose all material facts regarding any legal or disciplinary
events that would be material to a client’s or prospective client’s evaluation of our company or the integrity
of our management.
At the present time, FSIHK does not have any material legal, financial or other disciplinary items to report.
please register to get more info
FSIHK is owned by MUTB. MUTB is one of Japan’s leading asset managers and is a wholly owned
subsidiary of MUFG, a global financial group. In some cases, FSIHK may have business arrangements with
related persons/companies or with their clients. In some cases, these business arrangements create potential
conflicts of interest or the appearance of a conflict of interest between FSIHK and a client. Recognized
conflicts of interest are discussed in Item 11 (Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions
and Personal Trading) of this Brochure.
Affiliated Broker Dealers FSIHK is associated with is associated with several broker dealers: MUFG Securities Americas Inc.,
Unionbanc Investment Services, LLC, Mitsubishi UFJ Securities International plc, and MUFG Securities
EMEA Plc.
As appropriate and in accordance with regulation and client agreements, FSIHK will on an arm’s length basis,
utilize the services of the affiliated broker dealers. FSIHK will execute client transactions only when
consistent with its duty to place the interests of clients first and to seek best execution (please see Item 12 –
Brokerage Practices).
Associated Investment Advisers First State Investments International Limited (“FSII”) is a registered investment adviser and is an
affiliate of FSIHK. FSII was incorporated in 1982 and is a wholly owned subsidiary of MUTB and part of
First State Investments (known as First Sentier Investors in Australia). FSII is an investment advisory firm
providing discretionary investment management and portfolio management services to a range of
institutional clients and funds.
FSIHK has appointed FSII to act as a sub investment manager and provide discretionary investment
management services in respect of several funds managed by FSIHK. FSII has appointed FSIHK to act as
sub investment manager and provide discretionary investment management services to certain funds
managed by FSII.
First Sentier Investors (Australia) IM Limited (“FSIAIM”) is a registered investment adviser and is an
affiliate of FSIHK. FSIAIM was incorporated in 2005 and is a wholly owned subsidiary of MUTB.
FSIAIM is an investment advisory firm providing discretionary investment management and portfolio
management services to a range of institutional clients and funds.
FSIHK has appointed FSIAIM to act as a sub investment manager and provide discretionary investment
management services in respect of certain funds managed by FSIHK. FSIAIM has appointed FSIHK to act
as a sub investment manager and provide discretionary investment management services in respect of certain
funds.
First State Investments (Singapore) (“FSIS”) is a registered investment adviser and is an affiliate of
FSIHK. FSIS was incorporated in 1969. FSIS is a wholly owned subsidiary of MUTB and is part of First
State Investments.
FSIS is an investment advisory firm providing discretionary investment management and portfolio
management services to a range of institutional clients and funds. FSIS predominantly specialises in
investing in Asia Pacific and Global Emerging markets. FSIHK has appointed FSIS as a sub investment
manager and provide discretionary investment management services in respect of certain funds.
First State Investments (US) LLC (“FSIUS”) is registered investment adviser with the SEC and is an
affiliate of FSIHK. FSIUS is an investment advisory firm providing discretionary management services and
portfolio management services to a range of institutional clients and funds. Employees of FSI US provide
U.S. marketing and solicitation services for the advisory services of FSIHK.
FSIUS has appointed FSIHK to act as a sub investment manager and provide discretionary investment
management services in respect of certain funds.
First State Investment Management (UK) Limited (“FSIUK”) is a registered investment adviser and is
an affiliate of FSIHK. FSIUK was incorporated in 2001 and is a wholly owned subsidiary of the MTUB and
part of First State Investments (known as First Sentier Investors in Australia.) FSIUK is an investment
advisory firm providing discretionary investment management and portfolio management services to a range
of institutional clients and funds.
FSIHK has appointed FSIUK to act as a sub investment manager and provide discretionary investment
management services in respect of certain funds managed by FSIHK. FSIUK has appointed FSIHK to act as
a sub investment manager and provide discretionary investment management services in respect of certain
funds.
FSIHK serves as a sub-adviser for accounts or clients for which one or more FSI affiliates serve as investment
manager or investment adviser. FSIHK receives services, including but not limited to investment advisory
services, from certain affiliates. For example, in the areas of legal and compliance, risk management, human
resources, finance, information technology, trade support, back and middle office support, and sales and
marketing, services are provided or received and employees are shared between FSIHK and various affiliates.
First Sentier Investors (Australia) RE Limited (“FSIARE”) is a registered investment adviser and is an
affiliate of FSIHK. FSIARE was incorporated in 1985 and is a wholly owned subsidiary of MTUB.
FSIARE is an investment advisory firm providing discretionary investment management and portfolio
management services to a range of institutional clients and funds. FSIHK has appointed FSIARE to act as a
sub investment manager and provide discretionary investment management services in respect of certain
funds managed by FSIHK.
please register to get more info
FSIHK has adopted a Code of Ethics (“the Code”) that requires all FSIHK’s supervised persons to:
1. Act with integrity, competence and in an ethical and professional manner;
2. Always act in the best interests of clients;
3. Comply with applicable U.S. federal securities laws, as well as all other applicable laws, rules
and regulations; and
4. Promptly report violations of the Code of Ethics.
All supervised persons are required to certify at least annually that they have read and understood the Code.
Clients can request a copy of our Code of Ethics by writing to our Chief Compliance Officer.
The Code includes:
– Protection of Material Non-Public Information: It is a crime in the U.S. and many other countries
to transact in a company’s securities while in possession of material, non-public information about
the company. Employees are responsible for safeguarding non-public information relating to
securities recommendations, fund and client holdings. As such, employees should not trade based on
FSIHK’s confidential and proprietary investment information. Other types of information (e.g.,
marketing plans, employment issues, client identities, etc.) may also be confidential and should not
be shared with individuals outside FSIHK (except those retained to provide services for FSIHK).
Personal Investing: The personal investing activities of supervised persons are governed by the FSI
Global Personal Dealing Policy. In summary, with certain minor exemptions, transactions by
supervised persons must be pre-approved. Additional restrictions apply to supervised persons with
access to non-public information relating to current or imminent fund/client transactions, investment
recommendations or fund portfolio holdings (Access Persons). Access Persons generally may not
effect securities transactions for their own account when any investment advisory account is
transacting in the issuer in question. All such Access Persons must report their securities transactions
on a quarterly basis and disclose their holdings when they first become an Access Person and annually
thereafter. Access Persons must obtain pre-approval to participate in an Initial Public Offering or
Limited Offering in the US. These restrictions also apply to the Access Person’s immediate household
members. Additional restrictions and reporting also apply, including blackout periods on personal
investing and a ban on short-term trading.
– Gifts and Entertainment: The FSI Gifts & Entertaining Policy prohibits staff in the giving and
acceptance of gifts or entertainment that is excessive, repetitive, inappropriate or extravagant.
Procedures include:
– Periodical reporting requirements
– Limits on gifts that can be accepted from any one source during a calendar year, and
– Pre-approval requirements dependent on value and the recipient(s)
– Political Contributions - In the majority of jurisdictions gifts to a public official are generally illegal
and these cannot be made. Permissible gifts may only be made after obtaining appropriate approval
at the Group level.
– Conflicts of Interest – In the discharge of its fiduciary duties to clients, FSIHK has in place policies
and procedures to manage conflicts of interest. In summary conflicts are managed by:
– Control - controlling conflicts by putting in place arrangements to ensure the impact of the actual
or potential conflict is reduced to an acceptable level; and/or
– Disclosure - disclosing all material facts concerning any actual or potential conflict that may arise
with respect to any client; or
– Avoidance – if an actual or potential conflict cannot be effectively managed by disclosure
and/or control, or by using other means, then the situation giving rise to the conflict must be
avoided
FSIHK from time to time invests in the same securities that our affiliates such as FSII, FSIS, FSIUS and
FSIAIM etc. are also currently invested. Portfolio management and security recommendations are
undertaken at an investment strategy level and each investment team managing these strategies is organised
separately. Information barriers and other controls exist between investment teams to manage any potential
conflicts that arise.
Outside business interests To manage conflicts of interest, inside information, and other compliance and business issues, FSIHK
maintains a record of its employees serving as officers or members of the board of any other entity.
Permission must be obtained through the Chief Compliance Officer and management prior to engaging in
any outside business activity. FSIHK can deny approval where the perceived conflict of interest cannot be
managed effectively.
The client can request a copy of our Code of Ethics by writing to our Chief Compliance Officer at the
address listed on the cover page of this document.
please register to get more info
Counterparty Selection FSIHK has a rigorous counterparty approval process to ensure that we use suitable, reliable counterparties
(brokers) when dealing on behalf of clients. In order to ensure that they are suitable and reliable we have
adopted an approved list of counterparties which have been reviewed and considered to be appropriate for us
to deal with on behalf of our clients.
In selecting brokers to execute transactions for our client accounts FSIHK considers the following factors:
– Financial Strength
– Trading expertise — broker’s ability to execute the trade with the minimum impact on the market
price (i.e., get the best price);
– Technology and trading platforms — the efficiency of the broker’s technology and trading platforms
including ease of use and speed of execution;
– Broker’s support in setting trading strategy;
– Efficiency of trade settlement;
– Commission and settlement costs
FSIHK maintains a list of approved brokers individually for equity (stock) and fixed income (bond) trading.
Brokers must meet financial strength, execution capability and operational requirements and subject to
screening checks. We rate brokers on the quality of their execution services, operational capabilities, and
research services. Trades are only allocated to brokers who consistently provide a high quality execution
service; for individual orders this will involve assessing the specific factors relevant to that order and
considering the appropriate broker to meet our best execution requirements.
FSIHK conducts assessment and each counterparty is reviewed at least annually.
Use of Dealing Commissions All brokerage related research and advisory services consumed by the investment team will no longer be paid
from client dealing commissions. Instead we will make separate payments to the providers for such services directly.
Hence the dealing commission is only for trade execution services.
Directed Commission There are different procedures for dealing with any directed commissions.
In the case of directed commission we are instructed by the client to generate commission on the clients’
account to pay for a service for which the client has contracted.
FSIHK will not enter into such arrangements if we believe they will add complexity to the management of
dealing commission and where they may conflict with our obligations regarding best execution. We must
ensure that if any such directed commission arrangements are entered into, we are satisfied that such
commissions can be generated in the client’s account within a normal amount of turnover without allowing
that client to benefit from services received and paid for from our other clients. We will not enter into such
arrangements unless the liability for payment for the services which the client has purchased remains with
the client and does not become a liability of FSIHK.
Cross Transactions Where a cross trade is undertaken (where one fund/client is selling and another is buying), the equity dealer
must ensure the price is fair to both customers. Our standard approach in all such cases is to transact through
a broker as a net trade, rather than to cross internally: this creates a clear audit trail with an external party and
ensures all regulatory reporting is conducted. Cross trades are executed only where permitted and only for
clients that are not plans, trusts or retirement accounts governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security
Act of 1974, as amended. Such transactions are only entered into when FSIHK deems the transaction to be
in the best interest of both clients and at a price FSIHK has determined by reference to independent market
source.
Neither FSIHK nor any related party receives any compensation as a consequence of such 'cross' transactions.
Aggregation and Allocation of Orders
FSIHK seeks to aggregate and allocate trade orders in a manner that is consistent with its duty to: (1) seek
best execution of client orders; (2) treat all clients fairly and equitably; and (3) not systematically advantage
or disadvantage any single client or group of clients.
On occasions, FSIHK will decide to purchase or sell the same security for multiple client accounts. When
appropriate and in accordance with policies and procedures pursuant it will combine or aggregate purchase
or sale orders for the same security for multiple client accounts (also known as a bunched order) so that the
orders can be executed at the same time. FSIHK aggregates orders when FSIHK considers doing so
appropriate and in the interests of its clients. FSIHK’ client accounts may be included in the aggregated
orders with clients of FSIHK’ affiliated advisers.
When orders are aggregated, the orders may be placed with one or more brokers for execution. When a
bunched order is filled, FSIHK generally will allocate the securities purchased or proceeds of sale pro rata
among the participating client accounts based on the pre-trade allocation. Adjustments or changes are made
under certain circumstances, such as to avoid small allocations or to satisfy cash flows and guidelines. If an
order at a particular broker is filled at several different prices, through multiple trades, generally all
participating client accounts will receive the average price.
Although allocating orders among FSIHK clients creates potential conflicts of interest because FSIHK could
receive greater fees or overall compensation from some clients than received from other clients, allocation
decisions will not be made based on such greater fees or compensation. When an investment opportunity is
suitable for two or more clients, allocations will be made in a fair and equitable manner, and will take the
following factors, among others, into consideration: the relative size of the client account, available cash for
investment, investment objectives and restrictions, liquidity considerations, legal and regulatory restrictions,
portfolio risk/return objectives, investment horizons, and client instruction.
please register to get more info
FSIHK regularly reviews client accounts. The frequency of that review is determined by the requirements of
the client and the nature of the mandate and includes periodic reviews of performance, investment activity
and outlook. Normally these reviews would be carried out by the named portfolio managers, other qualified
members of the investment team, together with the relationship manager, or in some cases, by the relationship
manager directly. The named portfolio manager or senior member of the investment team and the primary
relationship manager will normally discuss with the client on at least an annual basis.
Periodic written data, including valuations and transaction information, is usually provided on a regular basis
and may be supplied to the client, or at the request of the client the client’s designated representative for
accounting, taxation or reconciliation purposes.
please register to get more info
FSIHK does not receive any additional compensation or economic benefits from third parties for providing
investment advisory services to its clients and does not enter into agreements with third parties for the referral
of new clients.
FSIHK’s clients and prospective clients may utilise the services of investment consultants and similar experts
to evaluate and recommend investment advisers and their services.
From time to time, FSIHK or its affiliates provide investment advisory services to these consultants or their
affiliates, or separately use them for services unrelated to the client’s account.
please register to get more info
FSIHK does not maintain custody of the assets of our clients with separately managed accounts or funds or
undertake any form of custody services. Instructions to facilitate portfolio management trading, payment of
fees, etc. are instructed through the client’s or fund’s custodian.
All clients should receive account statements directly from FSIHK, the administrators, trustees, or other
qualified custodians subject to clients’ instruction. FSIHK strongly urge all clients to compare the reports
they receive from FSIHK to the statements they receive from their administrators, trustees or other qualified
custodians. Any issues or discrepancies should be communicated to FSIHK promptly for investigation.
please register to get more info
FSIHK accepts discretionary authority to manage securities accounts on behalf of clients through the negotiation,
agreement and execution of an Investment Management Agreement which sets out the investment objectives of
the client and any limits that the client may wish to impose on our discretionary authority.
For instance, clients may restrict the type of securities that may be included in the portfolio, or place limits on
borrowing, underwriting or limit investment in particular securities.
Each Investment Management Agreement will contain specific provisions that both parties, and in some cases,
multiple parties, will agree to.
FSIHK also accepts client mandates on a sub-advisory basis.
please register to get more info
The concept of stewardship is at the heart of FSIHK’ investment approach. FSIHK is in a position to influence
the environmental, social and governance performance of companies via discussions with management or
the board of directors, and through the exercising of proxy votes.
FSIHK has in place a comprehensive corporate engagement policy that is designed to ensure proxies are
voted in the best interest of its clients. Subject to specific client directions, we will exercise every vote in
accordance with that policy.
The authority and responsibility for exercising proxy votes will be defined within the investment management
agreement executed between FSIHK and each discrete mandate client. However, FSIHK may still receive
proxy voting instructions from each discrete mandate client on a case by case basis (provided FSIHK is
notified in a timely manner) or alternatively, the discrete mandate client may instruct their custodian directly.
Wherever a discrete mandate client delegates responsibility for exercising proxy votes and if requested by
the client, FSIHK will report back to the client how votes were cast on their behalf.
Our policy on proxy voting is available upon request. A client may obtain how FSIHK vote on such clients’
securities by writing to Chief Compliance Officer at the address list on the cover page of this document.
please register to get more info
FSIHK does not require prepayment of any advisory fees.
Presently, FSIHK has no financial commitments or obligations that would interfere with our obligations to our clients. FSIHK has never filed for bankruptcy protection.
please register to get more info
Open Brochure from SEC website