By JANE KOTCHKINA 22/10/2010
David Gait, a senior portfolio manager with First State’s Global Emerging Markets/Asia Pacific (ex-Japan) team, took over the Pacific Assets IT on the 1st July 2010 from F&C Asset Management. Shortly after taking over, he changed the portfolio to align it with his First State Asia Pacific Sustainability fund fund, which carries a four star Bestinvest rating. The fund invests in good quality companies with shareholder friendly management and uses sustainability screening to identify companies that are positively engaged in environmental, social and government issues.
Unlike First State Asia Pacific Sustainability fund which has a 10% weighting in Australasia, the investment trust invests purely in Asia. The absence of this exposure is likely to allow the fund to rise slightly faster in rising markets but to limit downside protection in falling markets. The team are not looking to make the use of gearing.
Three star rating awarded.