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.

Gregory Van, CEO at Endowus, shared that young people should leverage their longer time horizon and begin investing as early as possible which allows them to tolerate more risks, ride out short-term volatility, and reap the benefits of compounding. They can consider investing in lower-risk assets such as fixed income or money market funds for short-term money needs.

Endowus has launched its full-service wealth management platform in Hong Kong to provide access to best-in-class funds across public markets, private markets, and hedge funds. With all sales and trailer commissions paid as cashback to investors, the platform aims to empower investors with better choices, evidence-based advice, and control over their wealth.