First Global Corporate Bond Fund
NH-Amundi Asset Management is planning to release the Allset Global Investment Grade Corporate Bond Fund late this month. Investing mainly in U.S., eurozone and British corporate bonds, it is the first global corporate bond fund in the domestic industry. It is going to take the form of a fund of funds investing in a global investment grade corporate bond fund of Amundi Asset Management.
Up to 45% of the investment is likely to go to U.S. corporate bonds while the maximum ratio is to be set at 35% for eurozone corporate bonds and 10% for those in the other European countries such as Britain. It is said that the ratios can change depending on market conditions but the ratio of investment in high-yield bonds will not exceed 15% of the total asset. NH-Amundi Asset Management is going to release a global investment grade corporate bond fund targeting emerging markets within this year, too.
South Korean asset management companies are expanding their lineups of global bond funds these days. On September 8, Samsung Asset Management released the Samsung Global Bond Fund investing up to 40% and 60% of its asset in global government bonds and investment grade corporate bonds, respectively.
This trend is because insurers, pension funds and the like are seeking a high rate of return amid low interest rates. According to market research firm FnGuide, the total value of global bond funds increased by 890.5 billion won between the beginning of this year and September 13.