Important Note
- This is a fund of funds that will invest at least 80% of its net assets in UCITS (undertaking for collective investment in transferable securities)/UCIs (undertaking for collective investment).
- Investing in this fund may expose investors to exchange/currency risk, concentration risk, emerging markets risk, Eurozone risk as well as risks of investing in other schemes and/or ETFs. It may also involve risks relating to Standard Chartered’s CIO selection strategy, termination of the right to use Standard Chartered’s CIO selection strategy, risks associated with debt securities (including credit/counterparty risk, interest rate risk, below-investment-grade/unrated bonds risk, sovereign debt risk, volatility and liquidity risk, downgrading risk, valuation risk and credit rating risk), as well as risk of investment in collateralised and/or securitised products.
- The fund may invest in underlying schemes which may use FDI extensively for investment purposes, or of which the net derivative exposure is more than 50% of the underlying schemes’ net asset value. Investment in FDI is subject to additional risks, including counterparty and credit risk, liquidity risk, valuation risk, volatility risk and over-the-counter transaction risk. The leverage element/component of an FDI may result in significant losses.
- For distribution class, the fund may at its discretion determine to pay dividends out of income or capital or effectively out of capital of the fund. Payment of dividends out of capital and/or effectively out of capital amounts to a return or withdrawal of part of an investor’s original investment or from any capital gains attributable to that original investment. Any distributions involving payment of dividends out of the fund’s capital or payment of dividends effectively out of the fund’s capital (as the case may be) may result in an immediate reduction of the net asset value per share of the fund.
- The value of the fund can be volatile and could go down substantially. Investors may suffer substantial loss.
- Investors should not only base on this marketing material alone to make investment decisions.
In a hurry? Read this summary:
- Success in tournaments comes from following a well-structured system rather than relying on a single star player. In knockout football, one off day from a star can end the run, just like a portfolio over reliant on a single “hero” asset can get punished when markets turn.
- Squad depth embodies diversification under pressure. Great teams spread responsibility across the pitch, so if one player misfires, others step up. Likewise, disciplined diversification across assets, sectors, and geographies helps a portfolio stay resilient when volatility hits.
- Good managers rebalance instead of panic swapping. Just as coaches adjust tactics during a match, investors should review and rebalance their portfolios rather than react emotionally to sudden headlines
Table of Contents
- Structure Over Stars: Portfolio Diversification Lessons Signature CIO Funds Draw from Football
- Asset allocation under pressure: A football lens
- In football and capital markets: Portfolio diversification for uncertain seasons
- How Standard Chartered’s Signature CIO funds aid portfolio diversification
- Signature CIO Balanced Fund
- The Signature CIO Income Fund
- Signature CIO Conservative Fund
- Signature CIO Growth Fund
- The importance of periodically re-assessing asset allocation in one’s portfolio
Structure Over Stars: Portfolio Diversification Lessons Signature CIO Funds Draw from Football
Knockout football and capital market investments are both shaped by high stakes and frequent uncertainty. A single mistake on the part of a player (or a team) can end a campaign, the same way a sudden shift in the market, or a single emotional or impulsive reaction to the same, can quickly erode hard-earned returns.
That said, fans and investors alike are often drawn to star players or standout assets, expecting individual brilliance to drive outcomes. Sustained success is built on structure, supported by disciplined systems, clear roles, and adaptability. A football team cannot win with just one player, no matter how talented – in the same way, a resilient portfolio cannot depend on a single asset.
follow a similar philosophy. Active risk management via portfolio diversification, a long-term investment approach, and steady asset allocation practices help lay the foundations for a portfolio that remains resilient across market cycles.
Asset allocation under pressure: A football lens
In April 2025, global equity markets sold off sharply following the United States’ announcement of a 10% baseline tariff on all countries, alongside higher reciprocal tariffs on selected trading partners.
(Coming to South and South-East Asia, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index plunged over 13%, its steepest decline in three decades. Taiwan’s benchmark index TAIEX dropped 9.7 percent, whereas Japan’s Nikkei 225 closed down by as much as 7.83%.)
Such events underscore the uncertainty inherent in capital markets, much like high-stakes football tournaments.
Just as over-reliance on a single player can leave a team vulnerable, a portfolio that is heavily concentrated in one stock, sector, or geography, even one with a strong track record, can face significant losses during market downturns. Resilience—whether in a football tournament or in one’s investment portfolio—comes from disciplined diversification, rather than dependence on the performance of a single asset.
In football and capital markets: Portfolio diversification for uncertain seasons
There is no better example of what diversification can achieve than Liverpool’s decisive 2–0 victory over Real Madrid at Anfield in the 2024–25 UEFA Champions League. The game showcased how a structured, system, rather than reliance on individual brilliance, can drive results. In the days leading up to the match, Mac Allister and Luis Diaz were made part of the team’s starting line-up, in place of Dominik Szoboszlai and Gakpo by head coach Arne Slot.
It was team cohesion, with contributions from across the pitch—Mac Allister’s opener through a quick combination with Bradley, and Gakpo’s (who replaced Nunez in the 68th minute) header, combined with coordinated movement and pressure on the opposing team from Luis Diaz and Curtis Jones, that helped Liverpool seal their win. It was also why Salah’s missed penalty did not deter the team from pressing further either.
Structure, and at the same time, flexibility combined with tactical discipline helps ensure control, and shows how squad depth can allow a team to overcome a strong opposition without having to rely on a star performer.
How Standard Chartered’s Signature CIO funds aid portfolio diversification
Contributions from across the board via a robust asset allocation strategy and portfolio diversification are precisely what Signature CIO Funds look to achieve. Portfolios are constructed such that they can balance exposure across asset classes, sectors, and geographies, to mitigate risks arising from over-concentration of capital during periods of market volatility.
These funds also allow investors to leverage various sources of return by combining diversified asset classes, including equities, fixed income, ETFs, and alternative strategies. Each fund aims to deliver capital appreciation or a stable income, or a combination of both, based on its own investment objectives, as well as investors’ financial goals.
Signature CIO Balanced Fund
The Signature CIO Balanced Fund seeks to achieve growth through capital appreciation and income accumulation over a mid-to-long-term investment horizon. It has a medium risk-to-return profile with balanced allocation between equities and fixed income.
The Signature CIO Income Fund
The Signature CIO Income Fund, in contrast, prioritises regular income generation by investing in a diversified portfolio of income generating securities globally. As a secondary objective, it aims to generate capital appreciation over a mid-to-long term investment horizon by accessing opportunities across multiple asset classes.
Signature CIO Conservative Fund
The Signature CIO Conservative Fund seeks to generate income over a mid to long term investment horizon. It has lower risk-to-return profile allocation to money market and fixed income and cash which are generally more resilient in downturns.
Signature CIO Growth Fund
The Signature CIO Growth Fund is suitable for investors with a higher risk appetite, focusing on long-term capital growth through a higher exposure to equities, which may experience greater market fluctuations.
The importance of periodically re-assessing asset allocation in one’s portfolio
Much like coaches of elite football teams who continually review and adjust gameplay tactics as tournaments progress, Signature CIO Funds are built and operated on a paradigm of continuously reviewing and rebalancing asset allocation. Portfolio managers actively monitor market conditions and subsequent fund net asset values (NAVs) to rebalance exposure, ensuring funds remain aligned to their core objective of capital appreciation, a stable income, and/or capital preservation. Professional oversight of this nature helps investors navigate uncertain market cycles without over-reliance on any single asset class or sector.
Structure often goes unnoticed when markets are calm, just as a football’s team’s tactics fade into the background when success appears straightforward. It is only during periods of stress that the value of continuous review, rebalancing, and focusing on the team or portfolio as a cohesive whole becomes clear. In those moments, diversification helps sustain performance and protect long-term goals. The same principles that enable football teams to navigate injuries and dips in form are what allow investment portfolios to endure market volatility.
To know more about how Signature CIO Funds can support your own portfolio’s diversification, visit our website, or reach out to a Standard Chartered Relationship Manager by using the myRM feature via online banking or the SC Mobile Banking App today.
Disclaimers
*Based on assets under management (AUM) as at 31 December 2022.
The information in this document is as at 30 June 2023 except where otherwise stated.
The role of Standard Chartered Bank (Singapore) Limited (“SCB SG”) as the fund’s Investment Advisor is solely advisory in nature while Amundi as the Investment Manager will have the final authority and decision regarding investments of the fund.
The role of SCB SG as the fund’s Investment Advisor does not imply official recommendation, it is not a recommendation or endorsement of a product, nor does it guarantee the commercial merits of a product or its performance.
This material contains information about AMUNDI ASIA FUNDS SIGNATURE CIO CONSERVATIVE FUND, AMUNDI ASIA FUNDS SIGNATURE CIO BALANCED FUND, AMUNDI ASIA FUNDS SIGNATURE CIO GROWTH FUND, AMUNDI ASIA FUNDS SIGNATURE CIO INCOME FUND (the “Funds”), sub funds of Amundi Asia Funds, an undertaking for collective investment in transferable securities existing under Part I of the Luxembourg law of 17 December 2010, organized as an open-ended mutual investment fund (“fonds commun de placement”). The management company of the Funds is Amundi Luxembourg S.A., 5, allée Scheffer, L-2520 Luxembourg and the Hong Kong Representative of the Funds is Amundi Hong Kong Limited, Suites 04-06, 32nd Floor, Two Taikoo Place, Taikoo Place, 979 King’s Road, Quarry Bay, Hong Kong (Amundi Luxembourg S.A. and/or its affiliated companies, including without limitation Amundi Hong Kong Limited, being hereinafter referred to individually or jointly as “Amundi”).
Investors should not only base on this document alone to make investment decisions. Investment involves risk. The past performance information of the market, manager and investments and any forecasts on the economy, stock market, bond market or the economic trends of the markets which are targeted by the fund(s) are not indicative of future performance. Investment returns not denominated in HKD or USD is exposed to exchange rate fluctuations. The value of an investment may go down or up. The offering document(s) should be read for further details including the risk factors. The fund(s) may use financial derivatives instruments as part of the investment strategy and invest in securities of emerging markets or smaller companies, or fix income securities. This involves significant risks and is usually more sensitive to price movements. The volatility of fund prices may be relatively increased. Issuers of fixed-income securities may default on its obligation and the fund(s) will not recover its investment. Additional risk factors are described in the offering document(s). Investors are advised to be aware of any new risks that may have emerged in the prevailing market circumstances before subscribing the fund(s).
Amundi is not responsible for the publication of this material. Certain information contained in this material has been obtained from Amundi which has not been independently verified, although Amundi and its affiliated companies believe such information to be fair and not misleading. Amundi does not accept any liability whatsoever whether direct or indirect that may arise from the publication of this material by Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited and use of information contained in this material. Amundi and its associates, directors, connected parties and/or employees may from time to time have interests and or underwriting commitments in the investments mentioned in this material. Amundi does not guarantee that all risks associated to the transactions mentioned herein have been identified, nor does it provide advice as to whether you should enter into any such transaction. Amundi does not make any representation as to the merits, suitability, expected success, or profitability of any such transaction mentioned herein.
Investment Fund is an investment product and some Investment Funds would involve derivatives. The investment decision is yours, but you should not invest in Investment Fund unless the intermediary who sells it to you has explained to you that the product is suitable for you having regard to your financial situation, investment experience and investment objectives.
Investment involves risks. The prices of units/ shares of unit trusts or mutual funds fluctuate, sometimes dramatically and the worst case may result in loss of your entire investment amount. It is as likely that losses will be incurred rather than profit made as a result of buying and selling unit trusts or mutual funds. Past performance of any Investment Fund is no guide to its future performance.
Investors should carefully read the relevant offering documents and in particular the Terms & Conditions contained therein, the investment policies and the risk factors and latest financial results information. It is desirable that the Investor seeks independent financial advice with respect to any investment decision.
Investors should ensure they fully understand the risks associated with unit trusts or mutual funds and should also consider their own investment objective, investment experience, financial situation and risk tolerance level before making any investment decision.
