logo
Amundi launches India Equity Contra fund in partnership with State Bank of India Funds Management

Amundi launches India Equity Contra fund in partnership with State Bank of India Funds Management

Zawya17-04-2025
Dubai: Amundi, the largest European asset manager, and State Bank of India Funds Management ('SBI FM'), the leading and largest Mutual Fund player in India, announce the launch of a new sub-fund of Amundi Funds (the 'SICAV') Amundi Funds – India Equity Contra fund (the 'Fund').
This new Fund by Amundi and SBI FM reflects their long-term commitment to the Indian market and will combine the strength of Amundi's disciplined top-down approach with SBI FM's extensive bottom-up analysis of the Indian equity market.
With this Fund, Amundi and SBI FM offer a unique, contrarian Indian equity strategy targeting Indian value stocks, with a focus on companies trading below their intrinsic value. The unbiased equity strategy offers the portfolio management team the flexibility to invest in overlooked opportunities, including stocks that are neither part of the main indices nor covered by sell-side research. This high conviction Indian equity fund complements the existing Amundi Funds SBI FM India Equity strategy, providing investors with access to a unique, value-driven Indian equity strategy to gain exposure to the rapidly growing Indian equity market.
SBI FM have been managing the same strategy since 1999, and the assets under management of which exceed $4.5 billion4. However, it has historically only been available to local investors in the Indian market. The new fund launch provides international investors with access to this compelling investment strategy.
The Fund has secured seed capital commitments from two prominent institutional investors, the Bahrain-based Yusuf Bin Ahmed Kanoo family, and the Corporate pension fund of a major Japanese financial group, underscoring strong market confidence in the firm's investment strategy and expertise. Amundi also provided seed capital, demonstrating commitment and alignment with our investors. With the backing of these anchor investors, the fund is well-positioned to capitalize on emerging opportunities and generate attractive returns for its investors.
Ziad Sikias, CEO Middle East, Africa and Central Europe from Amundi said 'The joint venture between Amundi and State Bank of India, SBI FM, manage over $300 billion in assets under management. We are delighted to be working with SBI FM to provide investment opportunities to both retail and professional investors in India and internationally'
State Bank of India is the largest commercial bank in the country, serving over 500 million clients through a vast network of over 22,500 branches, with a focus on innovation and customer centricity.
Amundi Funds – India Equity Contra fund will be managed jointly by Thomas Yeung, Senior Portfolio Manager at Amundi, Gwendolen Tsui, Senior Portfolio Manager at Amundi, and advised by Dinesh Balachandran, Head of Equity at SBI FM. The portfolio management team is built on the combined resources of Amundi's successful Emerging Markets platform and SBI FM's dedicated Indian investment team, one of the largest in the country.
For further information please contact
Nigel Sillitoe
CEO, Insight Discovery
Mobile: +97155 8809676
Email: sillitoe@insight-discovery.com
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Indian rupee may hit new low as dollar rally, tariffs, outflows threaten currency
Indian rupee may hit new low as dollar rally, tariffs, outflows threaten currency

Khaleej Times

time2 minutes ago

  • Khaleej Times

Indian rupee may hit new low as dollar rally, tariffs, outflows threaten currency

The Indian rupee is facing fresh pressure, hovering around Rs87.55 - Rs87.66 per US dollar, as a resurgent dollar index, hefty new tariffs on Indian exports to the US, and continued foreign money outflows weigh on the currency's outlook. According to market data, one US dollar now fetches approximately Rs87.55 to Rs87.66 in onshore trading, with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) stepping in frequently to stem volatility. Against the UAE dirham, the rupee trades at around Rs23.80 per Dh1—reflecting modest weakening, with one rupee equivalent to just 0.0419 dirham. Over the past five years, the rupee has depreciated steadily — from approximately Rs74 per dollar in mid-2020, to breaking past Rs79 by 2022 amid surging crude and US rate hikes, and edging close to Rs83 in 2024 amid global recession fears. This year's slide to the 87-plus mark represents a cumulative decline of more than 13 per cent. The immediate pressure stems from a strong recovery in the US dollar, driven by safe-haven demand and expectations of further US Federal Reserve rate cuts, which are increasing demand for greenbacks and weighing on emerging market currencies like the rupee. Compounding this is the Trump administration's decision to impose 25 per cent tariffs and another 25 per cent of punitive tariffs on a wide range of Indian exports — textiles, gems, leather and chemicals — which is eroding export competitiveness and rattling investor confidence. The rupee marked its worst six-week losing streak in half a year as a result. Foreign investors have pulled more than $4-$10 billion from Indian equities and debt this year, while the RBI has spent over $9 billion to defend the currency through spot and non-deliverable forward (NDF) market interventions. 'Tariffs of this magnitude are not just a trade story — they are a currency story,' warns Vivek Mittal, head of Asia currency strategy at First Global Research. While India's growth fundamentals remain relatively strong — with GDP growth above six per cent and forex reserves exceeding $650 billion —experts caution that the rupee will remain sensitive to global monetary policies and capital flows. Priya Nair, senior economist at Axis Capital, notes: 'Even with robust domestic growth, if external factors like US tariffs, stronger dollar trends…come into play, the rupee will adjust to reflect those risks.' Non-deliverable forward (NDF) markets suggest a modest pull-back, with the rupee expected to open in the Rs87.52–Rs87.56 range — slightly firmer than recent trading — as RBI interventions temper expectations. However, structural risks remain intact. Unless the administration softens its tariff stance or US inflation surprises to the downside prompting dovish Fed moves, the rupee is unlikely to regain strength. 'From day to day, we learn more about new rules that could dramatically change the landscape,' said Darwei Kung, head of commodities at DWS Group. Forward indicators signal continued volatility: one-month implied volatility in USD/INR is nearing its annual peak, and option markets show rising demand for protection against a slide toward Rs85. The rupee remains in a vulnerable zone, with limited upside in the near term absent relief on tariffs or global dollar trends. Structural pressures from external shocks may keep the currency under pressure, with key support levels being tested and sentiment remaining fragile.

Yango Group earns Great Place to Work® certification across nine countries
Yango Group earns Great Place to Work® certification across nine countries

Web Release

time23 minutes ago

  • Web Release

Yango Group earns Great Place to Work® certification across nine countries

Yango Group , a UAE-based tech company, has been officially certified as a Great Place to Work® in 9 of its markets, highlighting the strength of its employee culture across some of the world's most diverse and fast-growing markets. The certification spans UAE, Pakistan, Peru, Bolivia, Colombia, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Senegal, and Zambia, based on anonymous feedback from over 800 employees. According to Great Place to Work®, 87% of Yango Group employees across these countries said it's a great place to work — a result that significantly exceeds global averages. 'We've spent the past few years intentionally shaping a culture that's rooted in shared values, yet flexible enough to work across very different teams, markets, and realities,' said Daniil Shuleyko, CEO of Yango Group. 'We're proud that this approach resonates with our teams — and that so many colleagues feel part of something meaningful, wherever they are.' Across nine certified markets, employees consistently pointed to a workplace where they feel respected, welcomed, and safe. In Colombia, for example, 100% of respondents said people are treated fairly regardless of age, gender, race, or sexual orientation. In Pakistan, 95% said they feel proud of how the company contributes to the community. And in Zambia, 97% of employees said they felt genuinely welcomed from their very first day. Yango also scored especially high on physical and emotional safety, with 95% of surveyed employees across all countries agreeing that they work in a safe environment, and 94% saying people are treated fairly regardless of gender. Great Place to Work® Certification is the most widely respected global benchmark for workplace excellence. The recognition is based entirely on employee feedback, making it one of the most transparent and credible signals of organizational culture. These results carry particular weight for a company operating across fast-growing, emerging markets. From Abidjan to Lahore, and from Lima to Dubai, Yango continues to invest not only in local teams and leadership but in the infrastructure that makes collaboration possible across regions and disciplines. Programs like Yangoversity, which brings together employees from multiple countries for shared learning, and Go to the Fields, which puts employees on the ground alongside partners, are examples of how Yango Group builds culture through connection, not instruction. For the company, culture is not a corporate initiative — it's the system that enables long-term growth across all markets.

The BIBF launches new professional Certificate in Principles of Payments
The BIBF launches new professional Certificate in Principles of Payments

Zawya

time32 minutes ago

  • Zawya

The BIBF launches new professional Certificate in Principles of Payments

Manama – The Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance (BIBF) has announced the launch of a new Certificate in Principles of Payments (CertPay) – a globally accredited qualification awarded by the London Institute of Banking & Finance (LIBF). This strategic initiative aims to prepare national talent for the fast-evolving payments sector and further strengthen Bahrain's position as a leading regional hub for financial services and FinTech innovation. The programme is designed for professionals working in banking, payment solution providers, regulatory and compliance roles, corporate treasury and finance, as well as individuals seeking to specialise in the payments industry. The programme provides comprehensive insights into payment infrastructures, regulatory frameworks, risk management, and emerging innovations such as digital wallets and blockchain technology. On this occasion, Mr. Bassam Kazerooni, Acting Head of the Banking and Finance Centre at BIBF, stated, 'The payments sector is undergoing a global transformation, driven by digital technologies and the growing demand for faster and more secure services. Through this programme, we aim to equip Bahraini professionals with world-class knowledge and practical skills, directly contributing to the competitiveness of the financial sector and supporting the Kingdom's aspirations to lead in digital economy development.' Mr. Kazerooni further explained that the programme has been developed in line with international best practices and includes an online examination that awards participants with a globally recognised professional certification – opening new opportunities in both local and regional job markets. This new offering marks a valuable addition to BIBF's portfolio of internationally recognised professional qualifications, designed to meet the needs of financial sector professionals across the Kingdom and the wider region, empowering them to keep pace with the rapid evolution of financial services and technology. The first intake of the programme is scheduled to begin in September 2025, delivered in a flexible hybrid format that combines in-person and online learning. For more information, please visit the programme webpage. -Ends- About the BIBF The Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance (BIBF) is the leading provider of education and training in the region, established in 1981 under the Central Bank of Bahrain. With a commitment to enhancing human capital, the BIBF serves not only Bahrain but also extends its reach to 64 countries worldwide, solidifying its global presence. The BIBF is dedicated to delivering excellence across a broad spectrum of business disciplines. It partners with numerous international institutions to offer thought leadership, assessment, and training in key areas, including: Banking and Finance Islamic Banking Executive Education Accounting and Finance Academic Studies Leadership and Management Insurance Digital Transformation and Project Management For more information, please contact the Marketing and Corporate Communications Department at: Email: media@ Website:

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store