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03 May 2013 | 11:51 Dan Jones Franklin Templeton has launched an Asian Dividend fund for head of emerging markets Mark Mobius as it seeks to tap into investors’ growing desire to diversify income streams. The Templeton Asian Dividend fund, run by Mobius ( pictured ) and Tom Wu, will focus on companies offering attractive dividend yields, or those that have the potential to produce such yields over time. Investing in countries across Asia, it seeks to generate a higher income yield than its benchmark, the MSCI All Country Asia-Pacific ex Japan Total Return index. The investment universe includes countries such as Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. Mobius, who runs a wide range of funds at the group including Templeton Emerging Markets and Templeton Frontier Markets, will work with Wu to select stocks for the portfolio, but both will be supported by a large team of analysts. Launched as a Luxembourg SICAV, the fund will be registered in the UK, subject to FCA approval. “Dividend yields are an important source of income, as investors are finding it increasingly difficult to source meaningful yield in fixed income without higher specific risk,” said Mobius. He added the rising number of payouts in Asia make it an attractive area for income-hungry investors. Asian equity income funds have seen a surge in popularity among UK retail investors in recent years, with the likes of Newton, Invesco Perpetual and Liontrust all unveiling offerings in the space. Newton Asian Income, run by Jason Pidcock, has seen assets surge from £1.2bn at the end of 2011 to a current level of £3.9bn as investor demand for yield continues apace. more: http://www.investmen…s#ixzz2SJQecoz6 Investment Week – News and analysis for investment advisors and wealth managers. Claim your free subscription today. Continue reading →