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BlackRock raises US$1 billion with first Chinese mutual fund even as George Soros calls China investment a ‘tragic mistake’

  • The BlackRock New Horizon Mixed Securities Investment Fund attracts more than 111,000 subscribers
  • BlackRock is the first global asset manager to win a licence for wholly-owned onshore mutual fund business

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Larry Fink, chairman and CEO of BlackRock. Fink says the asset manager is committed to helping more people in China meet their long-term goals, such as retirement. Photo: Jonathan Wong
BlackRock, the world’s biggest asset manager, said on Wednesday that it had raised 6.7 billion yuan (US$1 billion) with its first mutual fund in China, with the announcement coming just days after billionaire investor George Soros called its investment in the country a “tragic mistake”.
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New York-based BlackRock, which has been bullish on rising incomes and the growth potential in China, won a licence in June to become the first global asset manager to start a wholly-owned onshore mutual fund business in the world’s second-largest economy. Before receiving its licence, the company had issued funds in China through its fund-management joint venture with state-owned Bank of China since 2006.

The BlackRock New Horizon Mixed Securities Investment Fund attracted more than 111,000 subscribers over a five-day fundraising period the ended September 3, the company said in an announcement on Wednesday. The fund was officially established on Tuesday, the company said.

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“We are committed to bringing long-term investment opportunities for Chinese investors, leveraging our track record in investing in A shares and our expertise in investment and risk management to help more investors improve their financial well-being,” Chi Zhang, BlackRock Fund Management’s general manager, said in a statement.

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