A number of new unit funds have been introduced to the Hansard unit-linked fund range over recent months, in response to market and IFA demand. These funds are available to the policyholders of Hansard International Limited (HIL) and Hansard Europe Limited (HEL).

HIL VAM Asia Fixed Income (MC137) – This fund provides an investment opportunity in the current low interest rate environment and is well placed to take advantage of attractive Asian fixed income yields. The Fund invests in investment grade Asian corporate bonds (i.e. BBB or above).

HIL Alquity Africa (MC138) – The fund invests in growing African businesses which offer investors outstanding value whilst also addressing the challenges of sustainability. The managers seek to provide exposure to a variety of structural investment themes such as land and resources, infrastructure and the emergence of a significant African consumer class. Alquity donates a minimum of 25 percent of its net fee revenue to support development initiatives, with a goal of creating 100,000 jobs by 2012.

HIL / HEL HSBC Brazil Equity (MC134) – This fund aims to harness the growth potential of Brazil, one of the group of four emerging economies known as collectively as ‘BRIC’ (Brazil, Russia, India and China). The fund’s investment process reflects HSBC’s experience in Latin American markets. The team of analysts provide each other with quality, detailed research, enhanced by local knowledge of Brazilian and other Latin American countries, all within a tight risk control framework.

Emirates National Bank of Dubai Asset Management (NBD AM) – Two funds from Emirates NBD AM have been added to the unit-linked range: the HIL Emirates MENA (Middle East & North Africa) Opportunities fund (MC136), which looks to provide investors with a means of participating in Shari’a compliant growth investments across a range of MENA markets, and the HIL Emirates Islamic Money Market fund (MC135) which seeks to achieve a higher yield than traditional Shari’a compliant bank deposits of similar liquidity.

HIL / HEL Neptune Japan Opportunities (MC133) – This fund aims to generate a return from the fact that many Japanese firms still dominate and lead many global industrial sectors, ranging from car production to the supply of household consumer goods. Therefore as the global economy regains its momentum, Japanese firms should disproportionately benefit from their geographically well diversified sales base, particularly their exposure to the BRIC countries.

Clients are advised to contact their independent financial advisor for more information.