The latest news in investment offerings, financial products and other services relevant to wealth advisors and their clients.

Franklin Templeton
California-based investment manager Franklin Templeton has introduced Putnam Investments’ strategies in Asia, beginning with the launch of the FTGF Putnam US Research Fund in Singapore and Hong Kong.

The firm plans to introduce a range of Putnam’s flagship strategies across the region. Putnam Investments, a US-based diversified equity asset manager, joined Franklin Templeton’s group of specialist investment managers in 2024.

The FTGF Putnam US Research Fund has been authorised by the Securities and Futures Commission in Hong Kong for retail investors and registered as an authorised scheme for retail investors in Singapore, the firm said in a statement. The fund offers investors US large-cap equity exposure, focusing on stock selection as the primary driver of active returns and maintains a sector-neutral portfolio backed by Putnam Investments’ research capabilities, including analysts based in Boston, London, and Singapore.

The move reflects Franklin Templeton’s commitment to expanding client access to differentiated investment opportunities.

“Despite ongoing market volatility, US equities remain a cornerstone of global portfolios, currently comprising over 70 per cent of the MSCI World Index,” Christian Bucaro, head of wealth for Asia, Franklin Templeton, said. “The US market remains highly relevant for both global and equity-focused investors over the long term. Looking ahead, we are excited to expand access to Putnam’s stock-driven equity strategies in Asia, covering not just the US but also sectors such as global healthcare.”

In addition to the FTGF Putnam US Research Fund, the FTGF Franklin Ultra Short Duration Income Fund has also been registered as an authorised scheme for retail investors in Singapore. A number of Putnam strategies will be made available to professional investors in Hong Kong.

Goldman Sachs Asset Management
Goldman Sachs Asset Management has launched the Goldman Sachs Emerging Markets Green and Social Bond Active UCITS ETF (GEMS).  

The fund invests mainly in fixed income securities across corporate and sovereign issuers in emerging markets in which issuers intend to allocate the use of proceeds for green and/or social contributions. Share classes of the fund will be listed on exchanges including the London Stock Exchange, Borse Italiana, Deutsche Börse and SIX. 

The investment process combines emerging market debt credit assessment with specific use of proceeds information about green and social contributions. The launch follows Goldman Sachs Asset Management’s recent entry into active exchange-traded funds in EMEA with several fixed income and equity funds, expanding the product range and underscoring the firm’s commitment to making its investment capabilities available through the ETF wrapper.  

“Our clients are showing continued demand for access to leading active capabilities, combined with the control and convenience of ETFs,” Hilary Lopez, head of the EMEA third-party wealth business at Goldman Sachs Asset Management, said.

Goldman Sachs AM manages 59 ETF strategies globally, representing over $40 billion in total assets as of 30 April 2025.