Pictet Asset Management launches Investing in the Future University Competition 2023 in Asia

HONG KONG, Dec. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Pictet Asset Management (PAM), the world's leading actively-managed thematic equities asset manager, has launched the inaugural "Investing in the Future University Competition 2023" (Competition) across five markets in Asia, with a focus on Megatrends and environmental thematic investing. It aims to empower the younger generations that aspire to become investors by enhancing their knowledge and skills in thematic investing, while fostering their environmental awareness and responsible investment mindset.

Competition across Asia to identify environmental opportunities

The Competition covers Hong Kong SAR, Mainland China, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan*. Participants will envision themselves as investment managers within PAM's thematic equities team to identify and analyse one company with attractive growth prospects that offers products and services to address pressing environmental issues worldwide. Students will apply their financial knowledge in assessing the impact of ESG (environmental, social and governance) factors on a company's growth prospects. Finalist teams will have the opportunity to present their ideas during the Grand Final in Hong Kong SAR.

The regional competition enjoys support from The School of Business and Management of The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST Business School) as Leading Academic Partner, and seven renowned universities across these five Asian markets, including Nanyang Technological University and National University of Singapore; as well as three leading international organisations - International Chamber of Sustainable Development as our Assessment Partner, Association of Asia-Pacific Business Schools and World Green Organisation*.

*Names of markets and supporting organisations are arranged in alphabetical order.

"We are pleased to unveil our first university competition in Asia, focusing on environmental thematic investing. Pictet Asset Management has a nearly three-decade expertise in thematic investing and the prowess to unlock the secular growth value of Megatrends. We are convinced that investors have the responsibility to redirect capital towards green solutions by investing in fast-growing companies in the environmental sector – aiming to achieve long-term financial returns while creating positive environmental and social impacts," said Junjie Watkins, Equity Partner, Pictet Group and CEO of Asia ex Japan at Pictet Asset Management. "It is essential to recognise that having a sense of responsibility not only applies to the present generation, but also to future ones. We therefore make it our mission to inspire the next generation of changemakers by leveraging our market and investment expertise combined with hands-on experience."

Pioneering thematic investing, delivering solid performances

PAM is one of the world's largest actively-managed thematic equities fund managers and accounts for 8% of its total AUM for SFDR article 9 funds globally* - the market share in article 9 funds is among the highest in the world. PAM manages 17 thematic equity strategies, with USD 63 billion in assets under management as of 30 September 2023. As a pioneer in thematic investing, the success of PAM's thematic franchise has been steadily built throughout the years, founded on a measured approach of selecting and tracking long-term trends that may evolve through economic cycles.  

Despite the market volatility and economic uncertainty in 2023, PAM's thematic equities strategies continued to gain traction in Asia. The strength and core value of PAM's thematic equity capabilities lie in its resilience and ability to seize growth opportunities underpinned by the Megatrends.

*Source: Morningstar Article 8 and Article 9 Funds: Q3 2023 in review

Megatrends: transformational changes impacting the world and revenue

The Competition zeros in on the Environment cluster of the Megatrends which spans climate change, resource scarcity, environmental quality, and biodiversity & ecosystem services. The increasing awareness of climate change risks is spurring actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance resilience, while economic growth is driving demand for resources, leading to scarcity, resource stress, and a focus on resource efficiency. Industrialisation has worsened pollution, affecting health and economics, making environmental protection a priority; rapid biodiversity loss and its economic impacts are raising awareness and driving policy and behavioural changes.

Megatrends encompass social, demographic, environmental, and technological changes that are shaping our world. PAM believes that Megatrends are a crucial source of long-term revenue and earnings growth, and therefore serve as the basis for each of its thematic equity portfolios. They are derived from insights provided by Pictet's Thematic Advisory Boards and have been jointly identified and determined by PAM and the Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies (CIFS), a global research and advisory firm. The resulting Megatrends Framework consists of 21 megatrends classified into six clusters, namely Environment, Technology and Science, Global Governance, Demography, Economy and Society.

Each Megatrend enhances PAM's thematic equity capabilities and forms a core part of the formulation and development of its thematic equities strategies.

About the Pictet Group

The Pictet Group is a partnership of eight owner-managers, with principles of succession and transmission of ownership that have remained unchanged since foundation in 1805. It offers only wealth management, asset management, alternative investment solutions and related asset services. The Group does not engage in investment banking, nor does it extend commercial loans. With CHF 638 (USD 713) billion in assets under management or custody at 30 June 2023, Pictet is today one of the leading Europe-based in- dependent wealth and asset managers for private clients and institutional investors.

Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, and founded there, Pictet today employs over 5,300 people. It has 30 offices worldwide, in Amsterdam, Barcelona, Basel, Brussels, Dubai, Frankfurt, Geneva, Hong Kong, Lausanne, London, Luxembourg, Madrid, Milan, Monaco, Montreal, Munich, Nassau, New York, Osaka, Paris, Rome, Shanghai, Singapore, Stuttgart, Taipei, Tel Aviv, Tokyo, Turin, Verona and Zurich.

About Pictet Asset Management

Pictet Asset Management (Pictet AM), part of the Pictet Group, provides specialist investment management services across a range of strategic capabilities including multi-asset solutions, thematic equities, emerging markets and alternatives, with USD 260 billion in assets under management at 30 June 2023. Its clients include financial institutions, pension funds, foundations and financial advisors. Pictet AM has 18 business development centres worldwide. In Asia, it has offices in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Taipei, Osaka, Tokyo, and Singapore.

SOURCE Pictet Asset Management