Acclaimed team to manage new HSBC fund

HSBC has launched a fund that will invest in a globally diversified portfolio of around 30 to 40 US dollar-denominated bonds. Known as the HSBC Investment Grade Bond Fund 2013, it also aims to deliver coupons on a semi-annual basis throughout its four-year investment tenure.

The Fund will be managed by the award-winning fixed income team in Asia-Pacific led by Cecilia Chan, Director and Head of Fixed Income at Halbis, the active fundamental investment specialist of HSBC Global Asset Management. The team, which manages over US$14 billion of fixed income assets as of the end of December 2008, has an average of over 13 years of industry experience and a track record of consistent performance.

Said Chan: "Since the onset of the global credit crisis, financial assets have been tremendously re-priced. The significant widening of credit spreads or yield premiums to historical levels indicates the attractive valuations of selected investment grade bonds in the global market, and offers appealing investment opportunities to investors taking a buy and hold approach."

"Backed by our local and global credit research capabilities, we aim to offer a diversified, high quality credit portfolio and employ on-going risk management strategies to manage the credit risk exposure of the portfolio," Ms. Chan added.

The initial public offering of the HSBC Investment Grade Bond Fund 2013 is available from 16 to 30 March 2009 through HSBC and Hang Seng Bank branches. The minimum investment amount is US$1,000.