e-fundresearch: Miss Taeko Setaishi, you are the fund manager of the Atlantis Japan Opportunities Fund. When did you take over the responsibility of managing this fund?
Taeko Setaishi: Since the inception of the fund on 21 October 2003
e-fundresearch: What is the current size of the fund?
Taeko Setaishi: US$19mn (as at 28th March 2013)
e-fundresearch: Do you also manage other funds or mandates?
Taeko Setaishi: Yes
e-fundresearch: What is the total amount of assets you manage currently?
Taeko Setaishi: US$43mn
e-fundresearch: How long have you been in the business as a fund manager?
Taeko Setaishi: 17 years, another 10 years as an analyst before becoming a fund manager
e-fundresearch: What are the main steps in your investment process and in which area is your competitive edge to add value to investors?
Taeko Setaishi:
Top down approach 20-25% and bottom up 75-80%. Our competitive edge comes from the experience and understanding of the industry. Taeko has strong back up from a team of very experienced fund advisors / analysts, including Edwin Merner and Robert Burghart who have over 40 years experiences respectively in Japanese market. All team members spend most of their time visiting companies in all kinds of industries from very big companies to micro companies.
e-fundresearch: Which benchmark is most relevant and how should investors compare the fund vs. benchmarks or peer groups?
Taeko Setaishi: Topix
e-fundresearch: Which performance did you achieve for the fund YTD and over the past five calendar years in absolute terms and relative to relevant benchmark or other reference indices?
Taeko Setaishi:
YTD | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | |
AJOF | 17.9% |
25.82% |
-4.79% |
13.91% | 3.50% |
-29.40% |
Topix |
10.1% |
6.36% |
-15.04% | 12.52% |
3.39% |
-28.09% |
Relative | 7.8% | 19.46% | 10.25% |
1.39% | 0.11% | -1.31% |
Source: AIML – All figures in US$ and net of fees and expenses as at 28th March 2013
e-fundresearch: What motivates you in your job?
Taeko Setaishi: Enjoy farming, planting seeds (new companies, new idea, new technology, good management, recovering situations, etc) and watch (periodical visits) them grow (earning’s growth) and then harvesting (selling when they become fully priced).
e-fundresearch: Which other profession would you have considered apart from becoming a fund manager?
Taeko Setaishi: Being a comedian.
e-fundresearch: THANK YOU!