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Fund research

Fidelity Asia - is China still a good place to invest?

A China-US trade war has made some investors nervous, but Teera Chanpongsang doesn’t think it’s a deal breaker for investing in China. Find out more in our latest update.

Important information - This article isn’t personal advice. If you’re not sure whether an investment is right for you please seek advice. If you choose to invest the value of your investment will rise and fall, so you could get back less than you put in.

This article is more than 6 years old

It was correct at the time of publishing. Our views and any references to tax, investment, and pension rules may have changed since then.

Investments can go down as well as up so there is always a danger that you could get back less than you invest. Nothing here is personalised advice, if unsure you should seek advice.
  • Teera Chanpongsang thinks Chinese companies can still do well even with a trade war
  • The fund also invests in other countries like India and Taiwan
  • He’s an experienced manager, but we currently have more conviction in others

Our view

Teera Chanpongsang has a lot of experience when it comes to investing in Asia. He started managing funds focused on one Asian country, including India and Thailand, twenty years ago. And since 2011 his funds have invested more broadly across the region, including higher-risk emerging markets.

We think he uses a sensible process, which has the potential to deliver good long-term returns for investors. He can also use the research produced by Fidelity’s analysts that are based in countries from Hong Kong and Singapore to Delhi and Taiwan.

At the moment the Fidelity Asia Fund isn’t on the Wealth 150+ list of our favourite funds. We have more conviction in other managers investing in Asia, who have built stronger track records over a prolonged period. We’ll keep an eye on the fund though and see how it progresses.

Annual percentage growth
Nov 13 -
Nov 14
Nov 14 -
Nov 15
Nov 15 -
Nov 16
Nov 16 -
Nov 17
Nov 17 -
Nov 18
Fidelity Asia 10.1% -2.6% 32.0% 27.6% -4.9%
IA Asia Pacific ex Japan 9.3% -6.0% 29.0% 21.2% -4.3%

Past performance is not a guide to the future. Source: Lipper IM to 30/11/2018

Fund review

The potential for a trade war between the US and China has been one of investors’ main concerns this year. It’s made markets volatile and there could be more setbacks before things get better.

Teera Chanpongsang doesn’t think the trade war is a deal breaker for investing in China, or the rest of Asia. He thinks China has enough tools in its kit to limit the impact of trade tariffs from the US. There’s scope for Chinese businesses to do things more efficiently and save costs, move some of their manufacturing facilities to other Asian countries, or pass tariffs back on to US consumers by raising prices.

Some of the fund’s investments in Chinese companies have held back performance recently though, including internet company Tencent. It didn’t help that approval for one of its online games was also delayed.

But the manager sees volatility as a chance to add to some investments at better prices. AIA Group, China’s largest insurance company, is an example. It already does a lot of business in five of the country’s most prominent cities. But it’s planning a nationwide expansion and could benefit as more people buy financial products and services, like insurance.

He also recently bought a new investment in Hong Kong-based lender Bank of China and added to an investment in Indian bank HDFC.

Overall the manager continues to focus on companies he thinks are run by great management teams with the potential to grow their earnings over time. He expects some could become leaders within their industry, while others have the potential to overcome shorter-term issues.

Other key holdings currently include Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing. It’s a leader in making components such as chips for smartphones and tablets. One of its main competitors recently withdrew from the market, which leaves it in a stronger position to be able increase prices without worrying about its customers going elsewhere.

Please read the Key Features/ Key Investor Information in addition to the information above.

Find out more about this fund including charges

Important information - Please remember the value of investments, and any income from them, can fall as well as rise so you could get back less than you invest. This article is provided to help you make your own investment decisions, it is not advice. If you are unsure of the suitability of an investment for your circumstances please seek advice. No news or research item is a personal recommendation to deal.

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Important information - Please remember the value of investments, and any income from them, can fall as well as rise so you could get back less than you invest. This article is provided to help you make your own investment decisions, it is not advice. If you are unsure of the suitability of an investment for your circumstances please seek advice. No news or research item is a personal recommendation to deal.
Written by
Kate-Marshall
Kate Marshall
Lead Investment Analyst

Kate leads a team of Investment Analysts and is a member of the Senior Research Team. She provides oversight and challenge to fund selection across all sectors on the Wealth Shortlist, and votes on all proposals.

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Article history
Published: 30th November 2018