Top 10 Best Performing Unit Trust Funds As of 10th July 2013

If this is your first time reading this review, I would highly recommend that you read "A Guide Towards Understanding Unit Trust Performance Table" before proceeding.

Review
Fund Category : Asia excluding Japan 
Top 10 Best Performing Fund for Category Asia Excluding Japan (click Image to Enlarge):

4 Weeks Gain/Loss Ranking Table for Category Asia Excluding Japan:

Fund Name	YTD as of 7th June 2013	YTD as of 10th July 2013	4 Weeks Gain / Loss (%)	4 Weeks Gain/ Loss Rankings	Previous 2 Weeks Gain/Loss Rankings
Public Islamic Asia Dividend Fund	-1.24	-2.2	-0.96	2	1
Public Asia Ittikal Fund	-1.81	-3.18	-1.37	3	6
PB Islamic Asia Equity Fund	-1.95	-4.12	-2.17	5	4
Pheim Asia Ex-Japan Islamic	5.03	5.09	0.06	1	2
Eastspring Investments Asia Pacific Shariah Equity Fund	-0.88	-4.06	-3.18	6	5
PB Islamic Asia Strategic Sector Fund	-0.41	-1.86	-1.45	4	N/A
MAAKL Pacific Fund	-0.37	-4.83	-4.46	8	N/A
CIMB Islamic Asia Pacific Equity Fund	-0.83	-5.38	-4.55	9	3
MAAKL Shariah Asia-Pacific Fund	-6.22	-10.58	-4.36	7	7
Pheim Asia Ex-Japan Fund	Newcomer	-5.87	N/A	N/A	N/A
AVERAGE 4 WEEKS GAIN/LOSS (%)			-2.49

Review of Asia Excluding Japan Funds:

Despite not reviewing the performance of funds for the past one month, I've been following closely the movement of the China as well as Asia Pacific Market. Poor performance of Asia Pacific market over the past one month was largely due to the massive dip by Japan's NIKKEI, shedding 843.94 points on a single day, the 13th of June 2013. See NIKKEI's chart below:

NIKKEI's 3 months Graph

The spillover effect of the NIKKEI and the direct effects of China's Stock Market volatility can be seen on all Asia Pacific countries indices as shown by the 1 month chart for MSCI Asia Pacific excluding Japan Index:

MSCI Asia Pacific exc Japan Benchmark Index
(7 June - 10 July 2013)

Referring to the MSCI Asia Pacific excluding Japan Index, the benchmark index shed 19.541 points (-4.38%) between 7th June 2013 - 10th July 2013. Comparing the benchmark drop of -4.38% to the average 4 Weeks Gain/Loss for all 10 funds at -2.49%, the performance of the top 10 funds are considered acceptable in terms of "making lesser loss as compared to the benchmark".

In terms of individual fund performance Pheim Asia Ex Japan Islamic (PAEJI) fund continue to show strong resilience against the benchmark index. PAEJI went against the trend and managed to gain +0.06% over the 4 week period while other funds made losses. On the other end, the biggest loser over the 4 week period goes to CIMB Islamic Asia Pacific Equity Fund (CIAPEF), shedding -4.55%. 

In conclusion, the volatility of China and Hong Kong stock exchanges over the past one month as well as the spillover effects of Japan have vastly contributed to the poor performance of funds in this category. More volatility is expected for the coming months and investors should be wary when considering to invest into funds from this category.

Review
Fund Category : Greater China

Top 10 Best Performing Fund for Category Greater China (click Image to Enlarge): 

4 Weeks Gain/Loss Ranking Table for Category Greater China:

Fund Name	YTD as of 7th June 2013	YTD as of 10th July 2013	4 Weeks Gain / Loss (%)	4 Weeks Gain/ Loss Rankings	Previous 2 Weeks Gain/Loss Rankings
PB China Titans Fund	-1.34	-3.14	-1.8	4	6
CIMB-Principal Greater China Equity Fund	-3.07	-8.28	-5.21	8	2
CIMB-Principal Greater China Equity Fund	-3.07	-8.28	-5.21	8	2
Public China Ittikal Fund	-3.23	-3.23	0	1	7
PB China Pacific Equity Fund	-0.52	-2.93	-2.41	5	9
Public China Select Fund	1.47	0.26	-1.21	3	8
AmIslamic Greater China	-6.93	-7.6	-0.67	2	10
Eastspring Investments Dinasti Equity Fund	-0.85	-4.56	-3.71	7	4
Hwang China Select Fund	10.81	8.12	-2.69	6	1
MAAKL Greater China Fund	-2.58	-7.95	-5.37	10	5
AVERAGE 4 WEEKS GAIN/LOSS (%)			-2.83

Review of Greater China Funds:

The China Stock Market or commonly known as Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE) has shed 203.7 points (-9.21%) between 7 June 2013 - 10 July 2013. 

SSE Index (7 June - 10 July 2013)

In comparison with the average 4 weeks gain/loss of -2.83%, all 10 funds from this category were able to outperform the benchmark SSE index. In terms of individual fund performance over the four week period, Public China Ittikal Fund (PCIF) is the top performer with its YTD remained unchanged. Worst performing fund belongs to MAAKL Greater China Fund, shedding about -5.37% of its NAV. 

Another outstanding performer is Hwang China Select Fund (HCSF). HCSF is the only fund among the top 10 whom achieved double digit gains (+13.63%) over a one year period. Other funds either make minimal gains or losses. In my previous review, I specifically single out HCSF as the fund for investors to select if they see an opportunity to invest in the Greater China Market.  

In terms of market outlook, rumor has it that the China government intends to ease their monetary policy in a bid to overcome the problem of money shortage in China's financial system. The shortage in money occurred because an increase in the demand for capital coincided with a reduction of money flowing into the system and an increase in money flowing out. 

My views about the China market remains the same as before. I'm not touching China funds even with a 10 feet pole. Invest only if you have the extra money to do so.

Review
Fund Category : Equity Malaysia

Top 10 Best Performing Fund for Category Equity Malaysia (click Image to Enlarge):

4 Weeks Gain/Loss Ranking Table for Category Equity Malaysia:

Fund Name	YTD as of 7th June 2013	YTD as of 10th July 2013	2 Weeks Gain / Loss (%)	4 Weeks Gain/ Loss Rankings	Previous 2 Weeks Gain/Loss Rankings
MAAKL-HDBS Flexi Fund	13.61	12.43	-1.18	6	10
Kenanga Growth Fund	15.91	14.8	-1.11	5	2
Phillip Master Equity Growth Fund	20.78	23.79	3.01	1	1
Kenanga Syariah Growth Fund	14.11	13.65	-0.46	3	4
Hwang AIIMAN Growth	18.89	16.3	-2.59	9	5
CIMB-Principal Wholesale Equity Fund	12.72	13.99	1.27	2	3
CIMB-Principal Equity Fund	14.31	13.31	-1	4	6
AMB Dividend Trust Fund	8.43	6.25	-2.18	8	9
MAAKL Dividend Fund	13.5	12	-1.5	7	8
Public Focus Select Fund	10.8	7.55	-3.25	10	7
AVERAGE 4 WEEKS GAIN/LOSS (%)			-0.90

Review of Equity Malaysia Funds:

As the saying goes, "There is no place like home!" This same saying applies to the expertise of fund managers whom at the end of the day excel most from investing into the local stock exchange rather then China or Asia Pacific.

The Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange (KLSE) index over the period of 4 weeks have been displaying resilience against the movement of the Dow Jones, SSE and the NIKKEI. While indexes of Asian counterparts have fluctuated in tandem with the movement of major indexes as mentioned previously, our KLSE index tend to move with a mind of its own. With major political and social concerns over at Egypt and Brazil, it seems that foreign investors are finding investment in developing countries, specifically Malaysia. The long term sentiment among investors towards the KLSE remain bullish and should stay so for the near future.

In terms of individual fund performance, once again...I repeat once again Phillip Master Equity Growth Fund (PMEGF) has performed beyond expectation. While other funds suffered minimal losses, PMEGF went against the trend and made an additional +3.01% gain. A few reviews ago, I mentioned that PMEGF is the rising star among the top 10 funds and once again the fund's performance for this review has proven me correct. 

On the other end of the table, Public Focus Select Fund is the biggest loser here by shedding -3.25% of its NAV. Some might call me bias yet I would continue to reiterate my stand that Public Mutual Funds are overrated. Nuff said.

Cheers and Happy Investing everyone!

P/s : If you like to invest into Philip Master Equity Growth Fund, Hwang AIIMAN Growth or any other funds that you feel is right, do contact me at shanesee03@gmail.com

P.P/s : All recommendations are based on my experience and learning. If you feel what I have recommended is bullshit/crap/nonsense, feel free to vent your frustration by leaving a comment behind. 

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