Closing to New Business of Emirates funds

08 January 2019

Notification of Soft Closure of Emirates funds

  1. L43 Emirates NBD MENA Fixed Income
  2. L44 Emirates NBD MENA Top Companies
  3. R92 Emirates NBD Islamic Global Balanced
  4. R93 Emirates NBD Global Income
  5. R94 Emirates NBD Balanced Managed
  6. R95 Emirates NBD Active Managed

In November 2018, the Isle of Man Financial Services Authority issued an Insurance (Conduct of Business) (Long Term Business) Code 2018 (“The Code”) and a Guidance for unit linked single premium bonds - suitability of assets to policyholders (“The Guidance Note”). The Code and the Guidance Note require insurers to consider the acceptability of an asset for a particular product and target market. These have become effective from 1 January 2019.

To comply with the Code and the Guidance Note, Friends Provident International Limited (“Friends Provident International”) has undertaken a review to ensure that our Mirror Funds are acceptable investments for policyholders of unit linked products.

The above named funds invest into an underlying fund suitable for sophisticated investors only. Friends Provident International view that these funds cannot be considered as an acceptable investment for our target market. As a result, we have taken the decision, that with effect from 31 December 2018 (the “Effective Date”) the above named funds will be soft closed. Soft closure effectively means that we will no longer accept new investment (for both new and existing investors) into any of the above named funds. Any regular premiums will be redirected into the respective funds highlighted in the tables below. However, if your policy is already holding the maximum 10 funds, any regular premiums will be redirected into the fund with the largest holding within your policy.

Please be advised that we are liaising with the underlying fund manager with a view of transferring holdings in the above named funds into an acceptable investment in the future. Therefore, the funds will remain soft closed until those discussions have concluded and a final outcome for the funds has been reached.

 

Before 31 December 2018

From 31 December 2018

Mirror Fund Name

Emirates NBD MENA Fixed Income

Invesco Bond

Fund Code

L43

J01

Underlying Fund Name

Emirates MENA Fixed Income Fund

Invesco Funds - Invesco Bond Fund

Charges

2.03%

0.65%

Currency

USD

USD

Investment objective and investment policy of the underlying fund

The fund aims to achieve a high level of income as well as capital growth, predominantly through a diversified portfolio of Middle East and North Africa (‘MENA’) debt securities of varying maturities along with cash and other ancillary instruments, such as Wakala. The fund may also take on exposure to issuers outside the MENA region provided a significant part of their business activity is derived in the region. Overall the fund’s exposure to non-MENA securities will not exceed 20%.

 The Fund aims to provide long-term capital growth, together with income. The Fund invests primarily in debt instruments of governments, supranational bodies, local authorities, national public bodies and corporate issuers worldwide. The debt instruments invested in may include Mortgage Backed Securities (MBS) and Asset Backed Securities (ABS). For the full objectives and investment policy please consult the current underlying fund prospectus.

 

 

Before 31 December 2018

From 31 December 2018

Mirror Fund Name

Emirates NBD MENA Top Companies

Schroder Middle East

Fund Code

L44

R52

Underlying Fund Name

Emirates MENA Top Companies Fund

Schroder ISF Middle East

Charges

2.43%

2.04%

Currency

USD

USD

Investment objective and investment policy of the underlying fund

The fund aims to achieve medium to long-term capital growth through investments in a portfolio of Gulf Cooperation Council (‘GCC’) and Middle East and North Africa (‘MENA’) equity offerings. The fund is actively managed and will take advantage of price distortions and specific opportunities that display potential for strong gains. The fund will endeavour to invest predominantly in the UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt and Jordan, and may also invest in other jurisdictions.

The fund’s objective is to provide capital growth primarily through investment in equity securities of Middle Eastern companies including companies in emerging Mediterranean markets. The portfolio may also, to a limited extent, seek exposure to the markets of Northern Africa.

 

 

Before 31 December 2018

From 31 December 2018

Mirror Fund Name

Emirates NBD Islamic Global Balanced

HSBC Islamic Global Equity Index

Fund Code

R92

P59

Underlying Fund Name

Emirates NBD Islamic Global Balanced Fund

HSBC Islamic Funds - HSBC Global Equity Index Fund

Charges

2.89%

1.16%

Currency

USD

USD

Investment objective and investment policy of the underlying fund

The investment purpose of the fund is to provide professional, institutional and high net worth investors with a professionally managed means of participating in Shari‟a compliant investments across a range of global asset classes. The primary investment objective of the fund is to achieve long-term capital growth from a diversified portfolio of Shari‟a compliant holdings including, but not limited to, Murabaha and fixed deposits, Sukuk, equities, trade finance, property and cash equivalent assets. Exposure to these asset classes will be principally achieved through the use of collective investment schemes investing in such instruments although the fund may take on exposure to direct securities in all asset classes if the Manager believes it would be prudent to do so. The fund will seek to mitigate the effects of securities market volatility through efficient portfolio management, asset allocation and asset class diversification.

The fund aims to generate capital appreciation over the long term through the implementation of an active management strategy. The investments will consist of a diversified portfolio of global equity securities that comply with Islamic investment principles.

 

 

Before 31 December 2018

From 31 December 2018

Mirror Fund Name

Emirates NBD Global Income

Schroder Global Multi-Asset Income (USD)

Fund Code

R93

L41

Underlying Fund Name

Emirates NBD Global Income Fund

Schroder ISF Global Multi-Asset Income

Charges

2.87%

1.55%

Currency

USD

USD

Investment objective and investment policy of the underlying fund

The investment purpose of the fund is to provide investors with a professionally managed means of participating in investments across a range of asset classes including, but not limited to, equities, fixed income, real estate, money market, commodities and alternative strategies. The fund will seek long term capital appreciation by investing in assets worldwide and, through broad geographical and manager diversification, as well as the use of non-traditional investment classes, will aim to reduce the volatility traditionally associated with investment in securities markets. This may lead to non-market correlated returns or returns that seek to take advantage of market directions, trends or activity from time to time. The Manager has the ability to reduce exposure to an asset class if deemed appropriate after a fundamental review of international value.

To provide income and capital growth over the medium to longer term by investing primarily in global equities and global fixed income securities directly or indirectly through the use of Investment Funds or financial derivative instruments (including, but not limited to, futures, options and credit default swaps).

 

 

Before 31 December 2018

From 31 December 2018

Mirror Fund Name

Emirates NBD Balanced Managed

Blackrock SF - Managed Index Portfolios Moderate (USD)

Fund Code

R94

L76

Underlying Fund Name

Emirates NBD Balanced Managed Fund

Blackrock Strategic Funds – Managed Index Portfolios – Moderate

Charges

2.69%

1.14%

Currency

USD

USD

Investment objective and investment policy of the underlying fund

The investment purpose of the fund is to provide investors with a professionally managed means of participating in investments across a range of asset classes including, but not limited to, equities, fixed income, real estate, money market, commodities and alternative strategies. The fund will seek long term capital appreciation by investing in assets worldwide and, through broad geographical and manager diversification, as well as the use of non-traditional investment classes, will aim to reduce the volatility traditionally associated with investment in securities markets

The Fund aims to provide a return on your investment through a combination of capital growth and income commensurate with a moderate level of risk. The Fund will seek to achieve its investment objective by obtaining indirect exposure to equity securities, equity related (ER) securities, fixed income (FI) securities (such as bonds), FI-related securities, alternative assets (such as property and ‘hard’ commodities, but excluding ‘soft’ commodities), cash and deposits. FI securities include money market instruments (MMIs). ER securities and FI-related securities include financial derivative instruments (FDIs). ‘Hard’ commodities are commodities which are natural resources that are mined or extracted and ‘soft’ commodities are commodities which are agricultural products or livestock. It is intended that the Fund’s exposure (direct and indirect) to equity securities will not exceed 70% of its net asset value, however, this exposure may vary over time.

 

 

Before 31 December 2018

From 31 December 2018

Mirror Fund Name

Emirates NBD Active Managed

Blackrock SF - Managed Index Portfolios Growth (USD)

Fund Code

R95

L77

Underlying Fund Name

Emirates NBD Active Managed Fund

Blackrock Strategic Funds – Managed Index Portfolios – Growth

Charges

2.42%

1.14%

Currency

USD

USD

Investment objective and investment policy of the underlying fund

The investment objective of the underlying fund is to invest globally through collective investment schemes in a range of asset classes including cash/ near cash, fixed income, equity and other asset classes, with the aim of providing long term capital growth. It will seek to reduce the volatility traditionally associated with investments in securities markets through broad asset class and manager diversification. The portfolio restrictions and investment strategies that will be followed are such as to characterise this portfolio as medium/ high risk.

The Fund aims to provide a return on your investment through a combination of capital growth and income commensurate with a relatively high level of risk. The Fund will seek to achieve its investment objective by obtaining indirect exposure to equity securities, equity related (ER) securities, fixed income (FI) securities (such as bonds), FI-related securities, alternative assets (such as property and ‘hard’ commodities, but excluding ‘soft’ commodities), cash and deposits. FI securities include money market instruments (MMIs). ER securities and FI-related securities include financial derivative instruments (FDIs). ‘Hard’ commodities are commodities which are natural resources that are mined or extracted and ‘soft’ commodities are commodities which are agricultural products or livestock. It is intended that the Fund’s exposure (direct and indirect) to equity securities will not exceed 90% of its net asset value, however, this exposure may vary over time.

 

Should you have any questions regarding these changes, please contact International Funds & Investments.