Newton Asian Income

 90% of the companies that pay dividends in excess of 3% are outside the UK (despite the UKs dividend culture) and 40% of those are in Asia (excl. Japan).  So the launch of this fund in December 2005 created a compelling opportunity for UK investors.  The fund will tend to have little in China and India, with few decent dividend payers, so growth will underperform more aggressive Asian growth funds.  But the income (4.9%), and the income growth potential, are hugely attractive.

 It straddles medium and higher risk, with Asian markets tending to be more volatile (plus the currency exposure), but the high dividend acting as a stabiliser.  If you are comfortable with the volatility of the capital value, and particularly if you have or will have an income objective, it could represent 20-30% of your portfolio.

To achieve income together with long-term capital growth predominantly through investments in securities in the Asia Pacific ex. Japan (including Australia & New Zealand) region.