Momentum Moving to Asia Pacific

Janus is targeting the Asia Pacific market for investments as well as new fund customers.

In an interview with Asian Investor, chief Richard Weil said expanding in the region is at the top of his agenda. He sees the launch of products catering to Asian investors as key, acknowledging that Janus does not currently have especially compelling regional offshore offerings.

Currently, 8% of Janus's $160.8 billion in assets is based outside the U.S., but the company's goal is to raise the level to 20% to 25% within five years, Weil said in the interview. Part of the strategy entails broadening the distribution network and adding investment resources, starting with the addition of one or two portfolio managers and three or four analysts somewhere in Asia most likely next year, he also said.

Janus has offices in Tokyo, Hong Kong and Melbourne, where 35 employees attend to client servicing, compliance and sales, but nearly all of its portfolio managers and analysts are based in the U.S.

The product path will progress from global to emerging-markets funds, then regional equity and fixed-income offerings, Weil tells Asian Investor.

Janus is also positioning itself for more Asia Pacific investments by its U.S. customers, Weil said. He predicted that U.S. investors will shift assets overseas in greater numbers as they come to terms with the U.S.'s diminished global power. The realization will foster a deeper understanding on investors' part of regional differences and individual country performance, he also said.

Consistent with that view, Janus last week rolled out three global funds: the Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio, Global High-Yield Portfolio and Global Investment Grade Bond Portfolio.