Valverde Investment Partners – ASEAN Specialists
Singapore · MAS Licensed · HK Type 9 · US SEC Exempt Registered

The alpha is in
the markets most
investors are missing

Valverde Investment Partners is a partner-owned, independent asset manager specialising in ASEAN equities. With 100+ years of collective investment experience across the region, we deliver active, conviction-led exposure to one of the world's most mispriced and under-owned opportunity sets.

100+
Years collective ASEAN investment experience across the team
25+
Years average investment experience per portfolio manager
5
On-the-ground research locations: SG · KL · Bangkok · HCMC · HK
~$4.6B
Daily turnover in ASEAN markets — liquid, active, inefficient
ASEAN Secretariat, Feb 2025
Valverde ASEAN+ Fund — Active & Live Hereford Valverde ASEAN UCITS Fund — Launching Global Emerging Markets Strategy — In Development Singapore · Kuala Lumpur · Bangkok · Ho Chi Minh City · Hong Kong Partner-Owned · MAS CMS Licensed · HK Type 9 · US SEC Exempt Active · Concentrated · Local · Long-Term Valverde ASEAN+ Fund — Active & Live Hereford Valverde ASEAN UCITS Fund — Launching Global Emerging Markets Strategy — In Development Singapore · Kuala Lumpur · Bangkok · Ho Chi Minh City · Hong Kong Partner-Owned · MAS CMS Licensed · HK Type 9 · US SEC Exempt Active · Concentrated · Local · Long-Term
Valuations Near 15-Year Lows
ASEAN trades at the largest P/E discount to world equities in 15 years — ROE improvement is not yet priced in
Foreign Flows at the Bottom
Cumulative foreign equity outflows near multi-decade extremes — snapback potential is significant
China+1 FDI Dividend
ASEAN is the world's #1 FDI destination with a 17% global share — surpassing China for the second consecutive year
Currency Tailwinds Building
ASEAN currencies historically track US$ weakness — a multi-year dollar downtrend would kick-start a credit and equity re-rating cycle
Low Correlation to World
ASEAN offers genuine portfolio diversification — 5 and 10-year correlations to MSCI World among the lowest of any EM universe
The Investment Case

Why ASEAN deserves
a dedicated allocation

ASEAN is not an emerging story — it is an unfolding structural re-rating. A young and growing workforce, expanding middle class, record FDI inflows and deep market inefficiency are creating durable, bottom-up investment opportunity. Yet the region remains structurally under-owned relative to its economic weight — precisely the conditions that active, specialist managers are built to exploit.

01
Structural Growth Outperformance
ASEAN GDP growth consistently outpaces global averages by 1–2% per annum, driven by domestic consumption, rising urbanisation and financial inclusion — not just exports.
02
The Geopolitical Dividend
US tariffs and supply chain diversification are permanently reshaping global manufacturing flows. Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand are primary beneficiaries of the "China+1" re-ordering — a multi-year structural tailwind that is only accelerating.
03
Demographic Dividend — Still Growing
ASEAN's working-age population is still expanding as China's shrinks. With the world's 3rd largest workforce and some of the lowest median ages globally, domestic demand growth has decades of runway.
04
Alpha-Rich Market Inefficiency
Significant return dispersion across countries every year — top performers routinely deliver 30–65% total returns. Active managers with genuine local expertise have repeatedly shown the ability to capture this dispersion.
05
Conservative Balance Sheets, Disciplined Policy
Scarred by the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis, ASEAN governments and corporates did not over-stimulate during COVID. M2/GDP ratios remain healthy vs. G7 peers — a platform for a new credit and equity cycle as rates fall.
680m
People — ASEAN's total population (2023). The world's 3rd largest consumer market, with a middle class expected to double by 2030. Under-penetrated across financial services, healthcare and digital.
ASEAN Secretariat 2024
17%
ASEAN's share of global FDI inflows — the world's largest recipient, surpassing China for the second consecutive year as corporations lock in long-term supply chain positions.
UNCTAD / ASEAN Investment Report 2024
15-yr low
ASEAN's current P/E discount to world equities — the largest in 15 years. Forward ROE is improving, yet this improvement has not been reflected in valuations. A re-rating is overdue.
Bloomberg, MSCI, Valverde Analysis, Jan 2026
66.7%
Vietnam total return in 2025 (MSCI Vietnam Index, USD) — the highest in the ASEAN universe. Country selection and active allocation are the primary alpha drivers in this region.
Bloomberg, MSCI, Dec 2025
Track Record

Performance you can
interrogate

The Valverde ASEAN+ Fund (VAPF) launched in August 2024. Since inception, the portfolio has delivered strong absolute returns driven by active country allocation and bottom-up stock selection.

2025 Monthly Returns · VAPF Class A (Gross, USD)
Jan
-3.4%
Feb
+1.5%
Mar
+2.5%
Apr
-2.6%
May
+3.0%
Jun
+3.8%
Jul
+9.7%
Aug
-1.1%
Sep
+1.9%
Oct
+0.9%
Nov
0.0%
Dec
+4.3%
1 Month 3 Months 6 Months YTD Since Incep.
VAPF Class A (Gross) 4.3% 5.3% 16.4% 21.8% 23.1%
VAPF Class A (Net) 4.0% 4.9% 15.2% 20.6% 21.0%
MSCI ASEAN Index 2.3% 3.9% 12.0% 19.0% 28.2%

Fund inception: 01 August 2024. Performance calculated monthly on a market value weighted average basis, net of fees. In USD terms. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Source: Valverde Investment Partners, MSCI. As of 31 December 2025.

Portfolio Statistics
December 2025 Snapshot
Number of Holdings
27
Portfolio Beta
0.62
P/E (current)
11.96x
vs benchmark 16.51x
P/B (current)
1.71x
vs benchmark 1.97x
Dividend Yield
3.83%
vs benchmark 3.53%
Wt. Avg. Market Cap
US$4.4B
Country Exposure (Dec 2025)
Thailand
45.5%
Singapore
27.9%
Vietnam
18.2%
Hong Kong
6.3%
Malaysia
2.1%

Portfolio construction is active and unconstrained within the ASEAN universe. Allocations reflect conviction, not benchmark weights. Top 10 positions typically represent 50–60% of the portfolio.

Investment Process

Conviction-driven.
Active due diligence at every step.

Our process begins with a universe of ~4,000 ASEAN-listed stocks and ends with a portfolio of 25–35 high-conviction "best ideas." Every step is designed to eliminate noise and concentrate risk-adjusted return potential.

1
Idea Generation & Macro Overlay
Screening the full ASEAN listed universe (~4,000 stocks). Macro overlays applied. Illiquid companies excluded to define the investable universe of ~500–600 names. Contrarian approach: we look where others are not.
2
Fundamental Analysis & ESG Screen
Quantitative and qualitative research. On-the-ground meetings with management, sector experts and competitors. Thematic review. ESG analysis is embedded throughout — governance is a primary focus, not a checkbox.
3
Due Diligence & Investment Proposal
Detailed risk/reward analysis across five dimensions: country, earnings, balance sheet, valuation and ESG risk. Flexible valuation using DCF, P/B-returns and NAV discount frameworks depending on business type.
4
Portfolio Construction
Team review and Investment Committee approval. Top 10 positions targeted at 50–60% of portfolio. Country and sector limits applied. Asymmetric risk/return profiles prioritised. Liquidity managed within redemption parameters.
5
Monitoring & Exit Discipline
Quarterly Investment Committee review. Positions are exited when: price appreciation meets target, thesis completes, thesis breaks, or risk/reward deteriorates. Investment horizon is 3–5 years, with specific catalysts identified within 12–24 months.
Universe Funnel
ASEAN Listed Universe
~4,000
Investable Universe (liquidity filter)
~500–600
Watchlist (fundamental screen)
~100
Portfolio "Best Ideas"
25–35
5 Key Stock Attributes
Interests AlignedManagement ownership aligned with minority shareholders
Return on CapitalHigh and/or improving ROC; capital allocation discipline
Pricing PowerAbility to protect margins through economic cycles
Earnings VisibilityClear path to earnings growth, identifiable catalysts
Cash GenerativeStrong cash conversion; ability to fund growth or return capital
Responsible Investing

ESG analysis is embedded throughout our investment process with a priority focus on governance. In markets where regulatory enforcement is uneven, governance quality is the primary risk factor — and the primary source of differentiated insight for on-the-ground investors.

Our People

On-the-ground, experienced,
dedicated professionals

Our team brings 100+ years of collective ASEAN investment experience — built across market cycles, multiple jurisdictions, and both buy-side and sell-side roles. Every portfolio manager is based in the market they cover.

CIO · Portfolio Manager (VAPF)
John Foo
Singapore
Founder and CIO of Valverde. Previously Founder, CEO & CIO of Kingsmead Asset Management; MD and Portfolio Manager at Frontpoint Partners; MD at Indus Capital Advisors; Senior Manager at Guoco Group; Director & Fund Manager at State Street Global Advisors (Korea); and Investment Banking at Merrill Lynch and CS First Boston.

MBA, Wharton School; BSEE, University of Pennsylvania.
29 years Asian finance experience
Portfolio Manager (HVAF)
Brook Tellwright
Bangkok, Thailand
Portfolio Manager for the Hereford Valverde ASEAN Fund. Formerly Portfolio Manager – Southeast Asian Strategy at Waverton (where the SEA All-Cap mandate returned +45% cumulative vs. +25% for the MSCI EM ASEAN index); Co-PM at Ton Poh Capital; and Fund Management at Cazenove Fund Management.

BSc (Econ) Queen Mary College, University of London; Masters in Asian History, SOAS; Fellow, Chartered Institute for Securities & Investments.
40 years equity research & PM experience
Group Head of Research
Niklas Olausson
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Leads research across the ASEAN universe. Previously Partner & Fund Manager at Navis Capital (ASEAN, HK, India); Director of Equity Research at Deutsche Bank (HK, KL); Head of Equity Research at CLSA Securities Malaysia; and research roles at Indosuez W I Carr and Sun Hung Kai Securities.

M.Sc. Financial and International Economics, Stockholm School of Economics; CFA Charterholder.
24 years Asian equity research
Nguyen Quang Duy
Research · Vietnam
15 years Vietnam equity research, corporate finance and asset management. Formerly Head of Research, Kingsmead; Senior IR Manager, Nam Long Investment; Deputy Head of Research, Maybank KimEng.
Geak Sheng Ming
Trader · Singapore
15+ years equity trading across Asian long/short, futures, options and swaps. Formerly at Kingsmead Asset Management and Ivaldi Capital.
Tan Hock Meng
COO · Singapore
Chang Ruiling
Client Services & Product Development · Singapore
Investment Strategies

Purpose-built vehicles for
targeted ASEAN exposure

Our strategies serve accredited investors seeking differentiated, active access to ASEAN — in the vehicle and jurisdiction that works for them.

Upcoming
UCITS · Launching
Hereford Valverde ASEAN UCITS Fund

A UCITS-compliant vehicle developed in partnership with Hereford Funds, managed by Brook Tellwright. Brings Valverde's ASEAN expertise to institutional and international investors who require a regulated UCITS structure for European or global distribution. Same active, research-intensive approach.

UniverseASEAN Equities
StructureUCITS
PMBrook Tellwright
PartnerHereford Funds
TargetInstitutional / Global
In Development
GEM Strategy
Global Emerging Markets Strategy

Valverde's ASEAN expertise is expanding into the broader Global Emerging Markets universe. Leveraging our multi-city regional platform and deep EM networks, this strategy extends the same fundamental, conviction-led process across a wider investment mandate — with distribution reach into HK and Greater China via our HK entity.

UniverseGlobal EM Equities
DistributionAsia / HK / Greater China
LicenceHK Type 9 (SFC)
StatusIn Development
🇸🇬
MAS Singapore
Capital Markets Services Licence
Co. Reg. No. 202245381G
🇭🇰
SFC Hong Kong
Type 9 Licence
Asset Management
🇺🇸
SEC United States
Exempt Registered
Investment Adviser
⚖️
Partner-Owned
Principal interests fully
aligned with investors
Platform & Expansion

Building a truly regional
investment platform

Valverde is not a Singapore firm with regional "coverage." Our investment people are based where the companies operate — research is formed in the market, not from a distance. We are now extending this model further to capture a broader EM opportunity set.

Active · Now
Singapore HQ & Multi-Market Research
Investment management, compliance and IR from Singapore. Dedicated research presence in Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City — covering Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam from the ground up.
Active · Now
UCITS Partnership with Hereford
Strategic partnership to launch the Hereford Valverde ASEAN UCITS Fund, opening Valverde's ASEAN capability to institutional investors within a UCITS framework for European and global distribution.
In Progress · 2025
Hong Kong Office & GEM Capability
Expansion into Hong Kong adds a dedicated Global Emerging Markets capability to Valverde's ASEAN platform. Our HK SFC Type 9 licence enables distribution of both ASEAN and GEM strategies directly to HK retail and institutional investors and Greater China intermediaries.
2025 / 2026
GEM Fund Launch
Launch of a dedicated Global Emerging Markets fund strategy, combining Valverde's deep ASEAN roots with broader EM expertise. For investors seeking a more global EM mandate with an Asia-first perspective.
Our Regional Footprint

Each office is a research engine — not a satellite. Our investment professionals are embedded in local corporate networks, speak the languages, and understand the political economy that drives returns in each market.

Singapore
Headquarters · Investment Management · Compliance · IR
Kuala Lumpur
Group Head of Research · Malaysia Coverage
Bangkok
Portfolio Manager (HVAF) · Thailand Coverage
Ho Chi Minh
Research · Vietnam Coverage
Expanding · 2025
Hong Kong
Global EM Capability · SFC Type 9 Licence · HK & Greater China Investor Access
For Accredited Investors

Ready to explore
the ASEAN opportunity?

Whether you're making a first allocation to ASEAN or building on an existing EM sleeve, our team is ready to share the investment case in detail — including fund documentation, portfolio commentary and performance attribution.

Contact IR Team    View Strategies
Get in Touch
@
Investor Relations
Phone
+65 6022 0106 / 0107
Office
390 Orchard Road, #14-02
Palais Renaissance, Singapore 238871

This site is for accredited investors, expert investors and institutional investors as defined under the Securities and Futures Act (Singapore) and applicable jurisdictions. Information is for discussion purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation or offer to buy or sell any securities or investment products. Past performance is not indicative of future results.


For Accredited, Professional and Institutional Investors only. Not for retail distribution. Valverde Investment Partners Pte. Ltd. is regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and holds a Capital Markets Services Licence (Co. Reg. No. 202245381G). Risk Warning: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. The value of investments and any income from them may fall as well as rise.