Kasikorn takes ‘robo adviser’ route to grow assets under management
KASIKORN Asset Management plans to grow its assets under management (AUM) by 11 per cent this year, from Bt1.24 trillion at the end of last year, by acting as a “robo adviser” as its next step in preparation for expanding in the mutual funds industry. A robo adviser provides customers with digital investment advice, Vasin Vanichvoranun, executive chairman of the leading asset management company,
However, the first step would be a complete service called “fund navigator”, which helps with fund selection in line with customers’ investment targets.
The company would launch applications to make any transaction more convenient via smartphones for customers investing in both mutual and provident funds.
KAsset is the market leader for both mutual fund segments with AUM of Bt986 billion, or 21.2 per cent of the mutual fund market, and the private fund segment with AUM of Bt164 billion, or a 16.8-per-cent share.
The move came after last year’s introduction of a variety of apps that made investing more convenient under the “Simplify Your Investment Life” concept.
One app was My Port Simulator, a tool for portfolio analysis and management based on customers’ risk appetite. Another was a redesigned K-Cyber Invest, which assists customers in making an effective investment plan.
The 11 mutual funds under KAsset management earned overall Morningstar ratings of five stars, based on data as of December 30.
For the economic and investment outlook this year, Asia was an exciting region.
Thailand and India are still top destinations for putting money in.
“Thai and Asian stocks, therefore, have drawn greater weightings than elsewhere, given their comparatively attractive prices,” he said.
Thailand would see continuing growth thanks to the government’s policy for infrastructure investment and brighter domestic consumption boosted by reviving farm incomes.
China and India were set to enjoy more stable economies with high growth prospects, bolstered by their governments’ stimulus efforts and more concrete moves towards economic reform.
For the Thai bourse, listed companies were forecast to see an average rise in earnings of 10 per cent this year. The SET Index at the year-end is expected to reach 1,690 points.
The Asian debt market was expected to yield higher returns than the rest of the world thanks to the accommodative monetary policy to be further adopted by most Asian central banks.
Thai interest rates are expected to be stable through the end of 2017.
Based on its Fund Navigator, KAsset’s investment strategy and theme for 2017 call for focusing on income, growth and opportunity funds, which were considered attractive.
