Chisako Hardie took over the AXA Framlington Japan Fund from Anja Balfour, who has left the company, in April this year. Chisako Hardie joined Framlington in June 2006 to run the Japanese Smaller Companies fund and has 19 years’ experience in the industry. She has now largely completed her restructuring of the fund, so we recently met with her to discuss the changes.
The portfolio now has broader diversification by sector and a larger number of stocks to help control risk. In addition, a number of smaller companies have been removed from the portfolio and replaced with an 8% exposure to Chisako Hardie’s own AXA Framlington Japanese Smaller Companies Fund. This has also increased diversification.
Given her background in smaller companies it is perhaps not a surprise that Chisako Hardie favours growth-orientated companies which are increasing their earnings. Although smaller companies can be higher risk than their larger counterparts. She also has a number of themes running through the fund including clean energy, technology stocks and Japanese companies with exposure to growth in China such as Kao Corporation, a toiletries and cosmetics firm.
Although this is a new type of fund for the manager, we believe existing investors should generally continue to hold the fund to give her the chance to prove herself. We will continue to monitor the fund carefully and update investors if our view changes. Please note the fund is not currently on the Wealth 150 list of our favourite funds in each sector.
If you are considering an investment please ensure you read the fund key features which contain more information about the risks.
AXA Framlington Japan Fund
| Initial charge | 5.25% |
|---|---|
| Initial saving | 5.25% |
| Annual charge | 1.50% |
| Annual saving | 0.25%* |
*Annual saving is not available in the SIPP
Find out more about this fund including how to investPlease read the key features of the AXA Framlington Japan Fund in addition to the information above
