Our team, on the road
Join us on our travels as we meet with companies and explore the Asia-Pacific region, getting a true feel for the places, people and companies we invest in.
India: Past and Present
Twenty years ago, abrdn Investment Director, Kristy Fong began her journey with India. She shares, “From the bustling Bandra Kurla complex to the dynamic entrepreneurial spirit, India continues to amaze. Digitalisation, tech, and AI are creating new opportunities in various sectors.” Investment Analyst Jeremiah Silva recently joined Kristy on his first trip to India, describing it as “eye-opening.” He notes, “The contrast between Delhi and Mumbai was striking. Digitalisation and smartphone use are rapidly growing post-Covid. Conversations with locals highlighted both economic disparities and resilience.”
Ever heard of a ‘nutraceutical’?
We currently hold two Thai companies: Humanica, a software company added to our portfolio earlier this year, and Mega Lifesciences, a branded generics and nutraceutical business. A nutraceutical is a product derived from food sources that provides both nutritional and medicinal benefits, combining aspects of nutrition and pharmaceuticals to support health and prevent chronic diseases. Despite the challenges Thailand has faced in recovering from COVID-19 and navigating a turbulent political landscape, our colleagues based on the ground in Asia continue to visit Bangkok regularly, monitoring our existing holdings and seeking to uncover new investment opportunities.
Holiday turned market analysis
One of our investment writers from the Singapore office recently visited Japan on holiday. Little did she know she would soon be writing about one of the worst days in Japanese equities history, triggered by a paradigm shift in the Central Bank’s monetary policy. Although Japan is not part of our investible universe for abrdn Asia Focus plc, our Tokyo office provides valuable insights. The sell-off in Japan significantly impacted investment strategies and equity markets in North Asia, especially South Korea and Taiwan. Having colleagues on the ground across the region helps us understand these dynamics as they unfold.
In good times and bad
Our team recently navigated turbulent weather and markets to visit companies and uncover long-term opportunities in Taiwan. An interruption by super typhoon Gaemi, was a good excuse to enjoy a traditional hotpot team dinner. After two days of meetings moved to Zoom due to the typhoon, the team were excited to be able to move on to Taizhong and Tainan to resume face-to-face meetings with companies.
South Korea’s remarkable transformation
Since the Korean War, South Korea has transformed from a predominantly agricultural economy to an industrial powerhouse. Initially relying on a labour advantage to produce goods cheaply, South Korea has since leveraged education and infrastructure to upgrade its capabilities - a familiar playbook seen across Asia. During a recent trip, our investment team spoke with 25 companies from a range of sectors, all aiming for sustainable earnings growth. Our key takeaway? Exciting times ahead with many new angles emerging from our discussions!
120m motorcycle drivers in Indonesia
Recently, our Asia-based team members spent time in Cikarang, an industrial area in West Java, observing operations at an automotive manufacturer creating parts for both motorcycles and cars. At abrdn Asia Focus plc we believe small caps is a great way to access the Indonesian growth story, especially given the main index’s heavy tilt towards sectors like finance. Presently, close to 10% of our portfolio is allocated to Indonesia, diversified across consumer goods, healthcare, energy and financial sectors.
Positive outlook amidst India's elections
In the lead-up to India’s Parliamentary elections, our team, including Devan Kaloo and Rita Tahilramani, met with over 25 companies, affirming India’s strong growth prospects. Although the election results were unexpected for some, we view them as positive, enhancing policy stability and power balance in this major democracy. High-quality businesses in India make up about 25% of our abrdn Asia Focus portfolio, reflecting the nation’s dynamic economy.
The Beijing Auto Show 2024
Our investment team recently attended the Beijing Auto Show, delving into the electric vehicle sector’s dynamic and competitive landscape. With this industry undergoing rapid changes and expected consolidation, the expertise of management teams becomes indispensable for companies striving to adapt and thrive. abrdn Asia Focus plc is seeking to capitalise on the burgeoning electric vehicle manufacturing market by holding a stake in Zhejiang Shuanghuan Driveline, the leading electric vehicle gear and shaft manufacturer in China.
Computex 2024, Taipei
Taiwan is a key player in the global tech supply-chain, driving the AI revolution. At the recent Computex conference in Taipei, our team met with existing and prospective companies, benefiting from the vibrant tech ecosystem. At abrdn Asia Focus plc, we are bullish on IT companies in the Asia Pacific region. Over 23% of our portfolio was invested in this sector as of 12 June 2024, with around 15% allocated to semiconductors and hardware equipment businesses.