Total return: distributions reinvested. In USD, the currency of the share class shown. Benchmark line not shown: price history held back: source clearance pending. Fund history to 29.09.2026. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results, and the value of investments can fall as well as rise.
Performance against the benchmark
1M
3M
6M
YTD
2025
2024
2023
1Y
3Y
5Y
Volatility
Sharpe R.
Max DD
FundISIN LU1508158190, currency USD, retail share class
-0.24
0.87
5.19
5.21
8.97
26.25
17.13
8.48
14.41
11.72
4.61
1.99
-2.15
BenchmarkSOFR 3-month USD
0.31
0.95
1.88
2.49
4.40
5.40
5.18
3.93
4.70
3.82
0.21
0.71
0.00
Differencefund minus benchmark, in percentage points
-0.56
-0.08
3.31
2.73
4.57
20.85
11.94
4.55
9.71
7.90
–
–
–
Within the list: OpenList — Alternatives
Compared with the alternative funds on OpenList — Alternatives (25 funds), each in the share class and currency its list shows. Returns are in each share class's own currency and are not converted.
This fund
Group median
Position
Return 1Y
8.48
9.40
16 of 25
Return 3Y p.a.
14.41
11.35
6 of 25
3Y p.a. over its own benchmark
9.71
2.46
3 of 25
Volatility 3Y
4.61
5.42
8 of 25
Sharpe ratio 3Y
1.99
1.34
1 of 25
Max drawdown 3Y
-2.15
-3.40
5 of 25
Management fee
1.00%
1.01%
10 of 23 (2 without a value)
Position 1 is the highest value, except for volatility and the management fee, where 1 is the lowest; for max drawdown, 1 is the smallest fall.
Return against risk, 3 years
WSP commentary
Draft commentary, machine-generated from the fund's monthly factsheet dated 31.08.2026; key information document (PRIIPs), not yet reviewed by WSP.
Investment rationale
This is an Asia Pacific equity absolute return fund in the equity asset class that aims to deliver a positive absolute return through capital growth and income regardless of market conditions, while applying ESG principles. The PRIIPs document classifies it as risk level 3 out of 7 and gives a recommended holding period of 5 years, which indicates it is designed for investors able to bear losses up to the amount invested and prepared to hold through a medium-term horizon. Its use of market-neutral style exposure, derivatives, and broad Asia Pacific equity opportunity set makes it a distinct choice for investors seeking a specialist regional absolute return allocation rather than a simple long-only equity exposure. Based on its objective and structure, it fits more naturally as a satellite allocation than as a plain core regional equity holding.
Investment strategy
The fund aims to achieve a positive absolute return through a combination of capital growth and income on the investment regardless of market conditions, in a manner consistent with ESG investing principles. It seeks to gain at least 70% of any investment exposure to equity securities of companies incorporated or listed in the Asia Pacific region, and achieves this by investing at least 70% of assets in equity securities, equity-related securities and, when appropriate, fixed income securities, money market instruments, deposits and cash. Equity-related securities include financial derivative instruments, with contracts for difference named as the main derivative type; the fixed income and money market holdings may be issued by governments, government agencies, companies and supranationals and may be investment grade, non-investment grade or unrated at purchase. The fund is actively managed, intends to generate market leverage via derivatives, compares performance against 3 Month SOFR compounded in arrears plus a 26.1 basis point spread, has an accumulating share class, offers daily dealing on a forward pricing basis with T+3 settlement, and has a recommended holding period of 5 years.
Investment philosophy
• The investment universe is centered on companies incorporated or listed in the Asia Pacific region, with the fund seeking at least 70% of its investment exposure to equity securities from that region.
• The portfolio is built using a quantitative model-driven approach, and the documents state that the fund uses quantitative models to make investment decisions.
• ESG criteria are incorporated in security selection, and the fund excludes companies engaging in certain activities inconsistent with its ESG criteria as described in the prospectus.
• Portfolio implementation can include equity securities, equity-related securities, contracts for difference, fixed income securities, money market instruments, deposits and cash; the manager may also generate market leverage through derivatives.
• Current disclosed largest holdings are Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China Ltd (1.62%), ENN Energy Holdings Ltd (1.10%), Singapore Telecommunications Ltd (0.93%), Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd (0.82%), Public Bank BHD (0.78%), Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (0.77%), Venture Corporation Ltd (0.76%), Techtronic Industries Company Limited (0.73%), Cathay Pacific Airways Limited (0.64%) and Yuanta Financial Holding Co Ltd (0.61%), together totaling 8.76% of the portfolio.
Management team
The portfolio managers named for the fund are Jeff Shen, Ryan Kim and Rui Zhao. The fund itself launched on 22-Feb-2017 and the share class launched on 22-Feb-2017.
The asset manager
The management company is BlackRock (Luxembourg) S.A., and the product documentation states it is part of the BlackRock, Inc. group. The fund is a sub-fund of BlackRock Strategic Funds, a Luxembourg-domiciled UCITS umbrella. The documents identify BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Limited as the principal distributor of BSF.
Strengths
The fund combines an Asia Pacific equity focus with an absolute return objective, seeking positive returns regardless of market conditions rather than tracking regional equity market direction. It also integrates ESG criteria and is classified as SFDR Article 8, which differentiates it from comparable strategies without stated sustainability characteristics. Its toolkit is broader than a long-only equity fund because it can invest in equity-related instruments, fixed income securities, money market instruments, deposits and cash, and can use contracts for difference and leverage through derivatives. Daily dealing is available, but the structure also includes a performance fee of 20% and disclosed transaction costs, making the strategy notably more structured and active than a conventional regional equity fund.
Risks
The fund is classified as 3 out of 7 on the PRIIPs summary risk indicator, with the marketing document also showing a risk indicator scale and stating that capital is at risk. The documents identify equity market risk, currency risk, fixed income risk from interest rates, credit risk and downgrades, derivative sensitivity risk, counterparty risk, liquidity risk, and the possibility that absolute return strategies may not move in line with market trends or fully benefit from positive markets. Additional named risks include greater price variation and lower trading volume in smaller companies, higher sensitivity of emerging markets to economic and political conditions, and the risk that quantitative models may become less efficient or show deficiencies as market dynamics change. The ESG screening process may reduce the investable universe and may adversely affect value relative to a fund without such screening, and insolvency of service providers such as the depositary or derivative counterparties may expose the fund to financial loss.
WSP report
Ask WSP which research is available for this fund and what it covers.
Performance: in %, in the currency of the share class shown. 3Y and 5Y are annualised. Volatility and Sharpe ratio are over three years; Max DD is the largest fall over three years. – means not applicable. "Not available in this publication" means no value is shown here; it does not mean zero. Period figures as of 31.08.2026.
This page is advertising within the meaning of the Swiss Financial Services Act. It is not an offer, a recommendation or investment advice. The prospectus and key information document for any fund shown may be obtained free of charge from its management company or Swiss representative
WSP commentary
Draft commentary, machine-generated from the fund's monthly factsheet dated 31.08.2026; key information document (PRIIPs), not yet reviewed by WSP.
Investment rationale
This is an Asia Pacific equity absolute return fund in the equity asset class that aims to deliver a positive absolute return through capital growth and income regardless of market conditions, while applying ESG principles. The PRIIPs document classifies it as risk level 3 out of 7 and gives a recommended holding period of 5 years, which indicates it is designed for investors able to bear losses up to the amount invested and prepared to hold through a medium-term horizon. Its use of market-neutral style exposure, derivatives, and broad Asia Pacific equity opportunity set makes it a distinct choice for investors seeking a specialist regional absolute return allocation rather than a simple long-only equity exposure. Based on its objective and structure, it fits more naturally as a satellite allocation than as a plain core regional equity holding.
Investment strategy
The fund aims to achieve a positive absolute return through a combination of capital growth and income on the investment regardless of market conditions, in a manner consistent with ESG investing principles. It seeks to gain at least 70% of any investment exposure to equity securities of companies incorporated or listed in the Asia Pacific region, and achieves this by investing at least 70% of assets in equity securities, equity-related securities and, when appropriate, fixed income securities, money market instruments, deposits and cash. Equity-related securities include financial derivative instruments, with contracts for difference named as the main derivative type; the fixed income and money market holdings may be issued by governments, government agencies, companies and supranationals and may be investment grade, non-investment grade or unrated at purchase. The fund is actively managed, intends to generate market leverage via derivatives, compares performance against 3 Month SOFR compounded in arrears plus a 26.1 basis point spread, has an accumulating share class, offers daily dealing on a forward pricing basis with T+3 settlement, and has a recommended holding period of 5 years.
Investment philosophy
• The investment universe is centered on companies incorporated or listed in the Asia Pacific region, with the fund seeking at least 70% of its investment exposure to equity securities from that region.
• The portfolio is built using a quantitative model-driven approach, and the documents state that the fund uses quantitative models to make investment decisions.
• ESG criteria are incorporated in security selection, and the fund excludes companies engaging in certain activities inconsistent with its ESG criteria as described in the prospectus.
• Portfolio implementation can include equity securities, equity-related securities, contracts for difference, fixed income securities, money market instruments, deposits and cash; the manager may also generate market leverage through derivatives.
• Current disclosed largest holdings are Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China Ltd (1.62%), ENN Energy Holdings Ltd (1.10%), Singapore Telecommunications Ltd (0.93%), Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd (0.82%), Public Bank BHD (0.78%), Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (0.77%), Venture Corporation Ltd (0.76%), Techtronic Industries Company Limited (0.73%), Cathay Pacific Airways Limited (0.64%) and Yuanta Financial Holding Co Ltd (0.61%), together totaling 8.76% of the portfolio.
Management team
The portfolio managers named for the fund are Jeff Shen, Ryan Kim and Rui Zhao. The fund itself launched on 22-Feb-2017 and the share class launched on 22-Feb-2017.
The asset manager
The management company is BlackRock (Luxembourg) S.A., and the product documentation states it is part of the BlackRock, Inc. group. The fund is a sub-fund of BlackRock Strategic Funds, a Luxembourg-domiciled UCITS umbrella. The documents identify BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Limited as the principal distributor of BSF.
Strengths
The fund combines an Asia Pacific equity focus with an absolute return objective, seeking positive returns regardless of market conditions rather than tracking regional equity market direction. It also integrates ESG criteria and is classified as SFDR Article 8, which differentiates it from comparable strategies without stated sustainability characteristics. Its toolkit is broader than a long-only equity fund because it can invest in equity-related instruments, fixed income securities, money market instruments, deposits and cash, and can use contracts for difference and leverage through derivatives. Daily dealing is available, but the structure also includes a performance fee of 20% and disclosed transaction costs, making the strategy notably more structured and active than a conventional regional equity fund.
Risks
The fund is classified as 3 out of 7 on the PRIIPs summary risk indicator, with the marketing document also showing a risk indicator scale and stating that capital is at risk. The documents identify equity market risk, currency risk, fixed income risk from interest rates, credit risk and downgrades, derivative sensitivity risk, counterparty risk, liquidity risk, and the possibility that absolute return strategies may not move in line with market trends or fully benefit from positive markets. Additional named risks include greater price variation and lower trading volume in smaller companies, higher sensitivity of emerging markets to economic and political conditions, and the risk that quantitative models may become less efficient or show deficiencies as market dynamics change. The ESG screening process may reduce the investable universe and may adversely affect value relative to a fund without such screening, and insolvency of service providers such as the depositary or derivative counterparties may expose the fund to financial loss.