Insular Life rolls out local currency fund

MANILA, Philippines -  Insular Life, the first and largest Filipino-owned insurance company, has launched a new product that allows the local investors to diversify into global markets through the local currency.

Called the Peso Global Equity Fund, this variable unit-linked (VUL) fund aims to achieve long-term growth and capital appreciation by investing majority of its assets in instruments whose principal exposure is in income-producing equity securities in markets throughout the world.

“At this point when funds are flowing into developed markets, it is timely to provide our clients with options to diversify internationally. Peso Global Equity Fund provides access to international equities that can take our investors’ investment to the next level. The goal is to optimize their portfolio to be able to reach their financial goals,” said Insular Life senior executive vice president and head of sales and marketing Jesus Hofileña.

The Peso Global Equity Fund allows retail investors to participate in the performance of world market leaders such as Microsoft, Unilever, Pfizer, Novartis, Chevron, Kimberly-Clark and Shell using the local currency.

“The fund can enhance investors’ financial portfolio to achieve goals for a child’s quality education, a comfortable retirement or wealth management,” said Hofilena.

Investing in the Peso Global Equity Fund can be done by availing of Insular Life’s single pay VUL products, Variable Returns Asset and First Million Fund.

Funds managed by Insular Life weathered last year’s roller-coaster ride for Philippine stocks, rewarding its investors with “very decent returns.”

Among these funds, the Growth Fund posted the highest return at 4.05 percent, followed by the Equity Fund at 3.21 percent. The Balanced Fund, a mixed exposure of equity and fixed income assets also delivered a respectable return of 2.64 percent. Insular Life’s peso funds outperformed the market in general.