Hugh Chung, Chief Investment Advisory Officer at Endowus, discussed the risks of investing in safe-haven assets, such as gold and oil, during times of uncertainty. Depending on the time these assets were purchased, the returns (and losses) of such assets can vary by a large margin. Investors should practise dollar cost-averaging to help them stay disciplined and on track towards their wealth goals.

Hugh Chung, Endowus’ Chief Investment Advisory Officer, pointed out that alleged or proven insider trading in the past has had limited impact on the overall appetite and investor confidence in hedge funds. According to the Endowus Private Wealth Insights Report 2024, 60% of HNW investors in Hong Kong are planning to increase allocations to private market strategies and hedge funds.

Hugh Chung, Chief Investment Advisory Officer at Endowus, discussed investors’ growing interest in private markets as it provides diversification alongside public market exposure. Endowus partners with leading global fund managers to provide easy, low-cost access to high-quality private market strategies and more evergreen fund structures to investors.

(From 1:09:10) Steffanie Yuen, Endowus Head of Hong Kong was on Bloomberg TV to discuss the inaugural Endowus Private Wealth Insights report. Hong Kong HNW respondents concerned about portfolio diversification are looking to private market strategies and hedge funds as a starting point. Investors can consider evergreen funds as a flexible alternative to traditional closed-end funds to address worries about lock-up periods and illiquidity.

The 2024 Endowus Private Wealth Insights report revealed that HNW respondents in Singapore and Hong Kong are dissatisfied with existing portfolio returns, and want to allocate more to private markets and financial alternatives for capital growth. Digital investment platforms are also the preferred way to invest in private market strategies and hedge funds, surpassing online services of private banks or priority banking, and relationship managers.

Endowus’ inaugural Private Wealth Insights report revealed that nearly 90% of Hong Kong respondents plan to increase their alternative-asset allocations in pursuit of greater diversification. Gregory Van, CEO of Endowus highlights that these investors are concerned with lock-up periods and restricted access as the study has shown, thus “evergreen structures” are becoming popular among private market investors.

Dominic Ong, CFO of Endowus, shared about Endowus' strategies to balance rapid adaptation and agility with long-term stability. Leveraging technology helps to optimise operational processes and react swiftly to market changes and regulatory updates. To navigate challenges of a fast-paced business environment, organisations should focus on maintaining strong stakeholder alignment, embrace agile practices, and focus on security and compliance.

This article discussed the differing performance between direct bonds and bond funds. Samuel Rhee, Endowus’ CIO, highlighted that fund redemptions are out of investors' control, one can choose to sell before or during the fall and lessen their losses. In contrast, single bonds often do not have any liquidity and have to be sold through private banks with heavy discounts and commissions.

Hugh Chung, Chief Investment Advisory Officer at Endowus, discussed the risks of investing in safe-haven assets, such as gold and oil, during times of uncertainty. Depending on the time these assets were purchased, the returns (and losses) of such assets can vary by a large margin. One should not try to predict market downfalls and instead, adhere to the same disciplined, goal-based, long-term plan regardless of economic conditions.

Gregory Van, CEO of Endowus was invited to Forbes’ Asia 100 to Watch Forum to share about Endowus’ business strategy for the future and how it continues to solve client pain points. Endowus leverages technology to scale excellent and objective advice, changing the industry by helping investors grow their wealth meaningfully at low, fair costs.

Samuel Rhee, Chairman and CIO of Endowus shared his outlook on fixed income performance as expectations of a federal rate cut fade. Investors should note that fixed income returns comprise income from interest rates and capital gains from the price action of liquid bonds. While prices are expected to fall due to minimal rate cuts, yields are still high and will compensate for price action.

Samuel Rhee, CIO and Co-founder of Endowus, discussed the wealthtech’s broader plans to roll out a simpler, smoother digital solution for ORSO by the fourth quarter of this year. The firm aims to offer online fund solutions in a smaller part of Hong Kong's pensions space, before expanding into the major mandatory retirement scheme.