First State Investments (UK) Limited (‘First State’) announces the launch of the First State Sustainable Listed Infrastructure Fund, as part of its Dublin-domiciled Fund¹ range.

 The Fund is designed to meet the growing demand from UK and European investors for inflation-protected income and strong capital growth offered by listed infrastructure in a product that also meets their sustainability criteria.

The First State Sustainable Listed Infrastructure Fund (the ‘Fund’) consists of a high conviction portfolio of global listed infrastructure stocks. The Fund will build on the team’s best-in-class stock selection with an enhanced focus on sustainability, including tailored portfolio construction and active engagement on environmental, social and governance issues.

The Fund’s investment philosophy places an emphasis on investing in quality companies over the long term, seeking those with high barriers to entry, strong pricing power, sustainable growth and predictable cash flows. Its investable universe includes utilities, toll roads, passenger and freight rail, ports, airports, energy pipelines and storage facilities, mobile towers and satellites.

The new Fund builds on First State’s investment expertise in listed and unlisted infrastructure including a 10 year track record within the global listed infrastructure asset class, as well as complementing First State’s wider commitment to responsible investment across its fund range. The Fund will be managed from Sydney by Portfolio Manager Rebecca Sherlock.

Peter Meany, Head of Global Listed Infrastructure at First State said “Our clients are seeking investment solutions that deliver on their commitments to sustainable investing. The launch of the First State Sustainable Listed Infrastructure Fund reflects investor demand for the real income and structural growth of infrastructure assets together with a greater emphasis on meeting sustainability criteria.”

Rebecca Sherlock, Portfolio Manager added: “Infrastructure assets are large scale, long life, tangible assets having significant environmental footprints and social licenses to operate. This means that small changes to the way a company operates can have meaningful changes to people, the planet and its ability to generate sustainable economic returns. This fund was developed through our fundamental belief that a focus on sustainability is integral to reducing risk and achieving positive long-term return outcomes.”

¹ Irish-domiciled fund range

 

For further information please contact:

Phillippa Cantrill

FTI Consulting

(UK PR representative of First State Investments)

+44 (0)20 3727 1084

[email protected]

 

Sarah Mahomed Ross

Communications Manager

First State Investments

+44 (0) 20 7332 6844

[email protected]

 

About First State Investments:

First State Investments is a global asset management business with experience across a range of asset classes and specialist investment sectors. First State Investments is owned by the Commonwealth Bank of Australia and as at 30 September 2017 managed £127.5 billion of assets on behalf of clients worldwide. In Australia First State operates as Colonial First State Global Asset Management. First State Investments offers a range of investment solutions to institutional and retail investors globally, including equities, debt, multi-asset and unlisted infrastructure.

Our approach to investment is driven by a commitment to providing the best possible outcomes over the long term for our investors. To achieve this, we ensure our interests are aligned with our investors and uphold a culture of always acting in our clients’ best interests.

 

Important Information

This document has been prepared for informational purposes only and is only intended to provide a summary of the subject matter covered and does not purport to be comprehensive. The views expressed are the views of the writer at the time of issue and may change over time. It does not constitute investment advice and/or a recommendation and should not be used as the basis of any investment decision. This document is not an offer document and does not constitute an offer or Intended for a professional audience invitation or investment recommendation to distribute or purchase securities, shares, units or other interests or to enter into an investment agreement. No person should rely on the content and/or act on the basis of any material contained in this document.

The information contained within this document has been obtained from sources that we believe to be reliable and accurate at the time of issue but no representation or warranty, express or implied, is made as to the fairness, accuracy, or completeness of the information. We do not accept any liability whatsoever for any loss arising directly or indirectly from any use of this information.

References to “we” or “us” are references to First State Investments.

In the UK, issued by First State Investments (UK) Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (registration number 143359). Registered office Finsbury Circus House, 15 Finsbury Circus, London, EC2M 7EB number 2294743. Outside the UK within the EEA, this document is issued by First State Investments International Limited which is authorised and regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority (registered number 122512). Registered office: 23 St. Andrew Square, Edinburgh, EH2 1BB number SCO79063.

Certain funds referred to in this document are identified as sub-funds of First State Global Umbrella Fund, an umbrella investment company registered in Ireland (“VCC”). Further information is contained in the Prospectus and Key Investor Information Documents of the VCC which are available free of charge by writing to: Client Services, First State Investments (UK) Limited, Finsbury Circus House, 15 Finsbury Circus, London, EC2M 7EB or by telephoning 0800 587 4141 between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday or by visiting www.firststateinvestments.com. Telephone calls may be recorded. The distribution or purchase of shares in the funds, or entering into an investment agreement with First State Investments may be restricted in certain jurisdictions.

Representative and Paying Agent in Switzerland: The representative and paying agent in Switzerland is BNP Paribas Securities Services, Paris, succursale de Zurich, Selnaustrasse 16, 8002 Zurich, Switzerland. Place where the relevant documentation may be obtained: The prospectus, key investor information documents (KIIDs), the instrument of incorporation as well as the annual and semi-annual reports may be obtained free of charge from the representative in Switzerland.

First State Investments (UK) Limited and First State Investments International Limited are part of Colonial First State Asset Management (“CFSGAM”) which is the consolidated asset management division of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124. CFSGAM includes a number of entities in different jurisdictions, operating in Australia as CFSGAM and as First State Investments elsewhere. The Commonwealth Bank of Australia (“Bank”) and its subsidiaries do not guarantee the performance of any investment or entity referred to in this document or the repayment of capital. Any investments referred to are not deposits or other liabilities of the Bank or its subsidiaries, and are subject to investment risk including loss of income and capital invested.