Investor Summary
Fund Strategy
FUND PERFORMANCE AS OF 30th September 2025
| ANNUALIZED SINCE INCEPTION | QUARTERLY | YTD |
|---|---|---|
| - | 8.9% | 12% |
| 2025 |
|---|
| 8.9% |
| ANNUALIZED SINCE INCEPTION | QUARTERLY | YTD |
|---|---|---|
| - | 8.9% | 12% |
| 2025 |
|---|
| 8.9% |
Apollo Asia Fund delivered strong performance in 3Q25 with NAV rising 8.9% quarterly and 12.0% year-to-date, reaching new highs. After 27 years of management by Claire Barnes, achieving 16.4% compound annual returns and 67-fold NAV growth, the fund is transitioning to new management under Ascender Capital on December 1st. The transition reflects Barnes' decision to step down while ensuring continuity for shareholders who wish to remain invested in Asian equities. Ascender Capital, led by Edouard Mercier and Jean-Charles Tisserand, shares similar investment philosophy focusing on individual businesses, cash flows, returns on capital, and management integrity, with particular strength in Japan and Greater China markets. The fund maintains 27% cash position to accommodate redemption requests while most shareholders are expected to continue. Barnes expresses confidence in Asia's comparative advantages and Ascender's stewardship capabilities for the next quarter-century.
Apollo Asia Fund is transitioning to new management (Ascender Capital) while maintaining focus on Asian equities, with the outgoing manager expressing confidence in Asia's long-term potential and the new managers' capabilities.
The manager expresses optimism about Asia's comparative advantages in a rapidly changing world and believes many investors wish to remain invested in Asian equities selected by a calm and sensible active manager.
| Date | Letter | Tickers | Keywords | Pitches | Quick Takes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2 2025 | 2025 Q3 | - | Asia, China, Japan, management, Transition | - | Apollo Asia Fund transitions to Ascender Capital management after 27 years under Claire Barnes, who delivered 16.4% annual returns. The fund posted 8.9% quarterly gains and maintains 27% cash for redemptions. New managers bring Japan and Greater China expertise while preserving the fundamental business-focused investment approach. |
| Jul 3 2025 | 2025 Q2 | - | Asia, Environmental, Geopolitical, infrastructure, Resilience, Trade Policy | - | Apollo Asia Fund hit new highs with 3.7% Q2 returns despite Trump tariffs disrupting supply chains and geopolitical tensions escalating. Manager focuses on resilient Asian companies capable of navigating unprecedented political turbulence and environmental constraints. Emphasizes need for entrepreneurial flexibility and adaptable management as business predictability declines while remaining optimistic on Asian opportunities. |
| Apr 6 2025 | 2025 Q1 | - | Asia, Deglobalization, Geopolitical, Regional, Resilience, tariffs, Trade Policy | - | Apollo Asia Fund navigates the end of globalization as Trump's tariffs trigger Asian regional cooperation. China, Japan, and South Korea unite while ASEAN strengthens ties, creating opportunities as Asia pivots from US dependence. The fund maintains defensive positioning with resilient businesses and 28% cash, preferring Asian exposure over US or European markets amid geopolitical transformation. |
| Jan 15 2024 | 2024 Q4 | - | Asia, Autos, infrastructure, Japan, Utilities, value, Vietnam |
STANLY.BK REE.VN |
Apollo Asia Fund posted strong 2024 returns of 13.4% while executing major portfolio repositioning. The manager sold two decades-long holdings at substantial gains, shifting focus from Thailand and Vietnam toward Japan's capital efficiency drive. Emphasis on identifying adaptable companies with strong leadership as environmental challenges and rising costs create new market dynamics across Asia. |
| Oct 6 2024 | 2024 Q3 | - | Asia, Climate, cybersecurity, geopolitics, infrastructure, Resilience | - | Apollo Asia Fund gained 6.7% in Q3 amid mounting regional challenges including extreme weather, cyber threats, and geopolitical tensions. Manager Claire Barnes advocates focusing on resilient companies with strong cashflow as climate adaptation costs rise and cyberattacks increase. The fund holds 41% in Vietnam and 20% cash while seeking defensive positioning. |
| Jul 2 2024 | 2024 Q2 | - | Asia, BRICS, China, geopolitics, multipolar, Sanctions | - | Apollo Asia Fund delivered 2.6% in Q2 amid a geopolitical focus on the multipolar transition. The manager sees US sanctions creating cross-border risks but views emerging alternative financial infrastructure as potentially beneficial for Asian investments. Despite rising political risks, Asian economies remain attractive with stronger regional networks providing future investment resilience. |
| Apr 10 2024 | 2024 Q1 | - | Asia, Geopolitical, Hong Kong, infrastructure, Maintenance, Malaysia, Vietnam | - | Apollo Asia Fund gained 1.4% in Q1 with heavy Vietnam exposure (37%). Manager Barnes focuses on geopolitical risks from Gaza conflict affecting investor confidence and infrastructure investment opportunities in maintenance and mitigation. Fund holds 23% cash across Asian markets while identifying long-term themes in aging infrastructure replacement and environmental resilience spending. |
| Jan 8 2024 | 2023 Q4 | - | Asia, China, Climate, geopolitics, Vietnam | - | Apollo Asia Fund fell 1.7% in Q4 amid geopolitical turmoil and climate concerns. The fund maintains 34% Vietnam exposure while manager Claire Barnes highlights China's growing regional influence through crisis management and infrastructure development. Record global temperatures threaten Indo-Pacific coral reefs, adding environmental urgency to investment considerations across Asian markets. |
| Oct 12 2023 | 2023 Q3 | - | Asia, Climate, Environment, Resilience, Temperature, water | - | Apollo Asia Fund focuses on resilience amid accelerating climate change, with record ocean temperatures and water scarcity from Himalayan glacial melt creating new investment risks across Asia. Manager believes Asian societies may prove more adaptable than Western economies to environmental challenges. Fund maintains diversified Asian exposure with significant cash position. |
| Jul 26 2023 | 2023 Q2 | - | Asia, Climate, energy, long-term, Resilience, sustainability, value | - | Apollo Asia Fund's Claire Barnes positions for a transformed future, seeking resilient Asian businesses while avoiding environmentally unsustainable companies. Despite climate and geopolitical headwinds, the portfolio trades at attractive 10.6x PE with strong fundamentals. Twenty-one percent cash provides flexibility as investment opportunities become scarcer in a world facing resource constraints and systemic changes. |
| Apr 16 2023 | 2023 Q1 | - | Asia, diversification, Organizational, Resilience, Vietnam | - | Apollo Asia Fund gained 0.8% in Q1 while regional markets fell 11%, demonstrating the value of diversification across volatile Asian holdings. With 31% in Vietnam and 22% cash, the fund seeks opportunities where market consensus breaks down amid escalating global crises. Organizational restructuring with Singapore co-management enhances operational resilience for long-term positioning. |
| QUARTER | THEMES | TAGS |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Q2 |
ResilienceManager emphasizes looking for resilient companies as business conditions become less predictable. Unprecedented conditions require entrepreneurial flexibility, management depth, and adaptable corporate culture. The path of resilience becomes more challenging but increasingly necessary. |
Management Adaptability Risk Management Corporate Culture Business Continuity |
Trade PolicyTrump's Liberation Day tariffs announced in April caused chaos in global supply chains. Tariff rates have proved negotiable but not everything is reversible. US government also announced aggressive visa revocations for Chinese students, leading many Asian students to study closer to home. |
Tariffs Supply Chain US-China Student Visas Trade War | |
Infrastructure SpendingCable thefts in Malaysia are delaying and raising costs of national infrastructure. Spending more on security represents economic activity that does little for prosperity. An increasing percentage of economic activity is devoted to mitigation rather than worthwhile activities. |
Security Infrastructure Malaysia Economic Efficiency Capital Allocation | |
| 2025 Q1 |
Trade PolicyTrump's extraordinary tariffs on US imports have triggered immediate retaliation from China and Canada with counter-tariffs and export controls. The rapid unscheduled midair disassembly of the international free trade system makes the US no longer a reliable negotiating partner. This has brought China, Japan, and South Korea together with remarkable trilateral meetings focused on regional cooperation rooted in necessity. |
Tariffs Retaliation Deglobalization Regional Cooperation |
AsiaDespite long-standing export-dependence and historic importance of the US market, Asia will pivot. ASEAN countries have stepped up security cooperation and regional necessity is driving new forms of international cooperation. If regional peace prevails, Asia has the resources and abilities to allow continued prosperity, making it preferable to focus on Asia rather than the US or Europe. |
Regional Pivot ASEAN Cooperation Prosperity | |
ResilienceIn an environment with no certainty about returns and highly unpredictable inflation, it seems rational to maintain a good weighting in resilient businesses with sound balance sheets. The focus is on preserving long-term purchasing power through businesses that can withstand market dislocations and geopolitical uncertainty. |
Balance Purchasing Uncertainty Preservation Stability | |
| 2024 Q4 |
UtilitiesREE Corporation became a consolidator in power and water utility sectors, providing supporting infrastructure for industrial expansion and rapid economic growth. The company invested cashflows into power and water utilities as well as high-occupancy office space, with improved capital discipline resulting in growing dividend income. |
Power Water Infrastructure Consolidation Dividends |
AutosThai Stanley manufactured lights for automobiles and two-wheelers, maintaining strong relationships as a supplier to key Japanese auto brands and participating in expansion into Vietnam, Laos and India. However, Chinese electric vehicles are making significant inroads into the traditional auto market. |
Auto Parts Japanese Electric Vehicles Manufacturing | |
| 2024 Q3 |
Infrastructure SpendingGovernments and property owners need to upgrade aging infrastructure to withstand climate extremes. Tokyo is upgrading water control systems while Asian cities scramble to respond to floods and sinkholes. Costs are compounded by theft of copper cables and power infrastructure requiring frequent replacement. |
Infrastructure Climate Flooding Copper Maintenance |
Data CentersSoutheast Asian governments are competing to attract datacentres which demand cheap power, water, and tax incentives. Some require renewable energy, leading to projects like the Pak Beng dam that may worsen flooding in northern Thailand. |
Data Centers Power Water Renewable Energy Southeast Asia | |
CybersecurityCyberattacks are increasing globally and in Southeast Asia. Outages of bank systems, point-of-sale systems, and transportation infrastructure are becoming more frequent. The British Library suffered a devastating attack affecting services permanently, highlighting system fragility and the need for offline resilience. |
Cyberattacks System Outages Resilience Infrastructure Security | |
ResilienceGiven increasing costs, risks and headwinds from climate change and cyber threats, the logic of focusing on resilience and cashflow becomes evident. The manager emphasizes the importance of building systems that can withstand various disruptions and maintain operational continuity. |
Resilience Cashflow Risk Management Operational Continuity Defense | |
| 2024 Q2 |
SanctionsThe manager discusses how US sanctions and unilateral actions have caused resentment globally and are accelerating the transition to a multipolar world. Examples include denied banking services for Hong Kong officials and losses imposed on businesses through sanctions regimes. |
Geopolitics US Policy Financial Infrastructure Cross-border Risk |
BRICSMalaysia and Thailand have applied to join BRICS, with 30-40 more countries reportedly interested. The ten current members represent 45% of world population and 29% of GDP, exploring options for a new world order not dominated by the US. |
Emerging Markets Alternative Alliances Multipolar World Economic Blocs | |
| 2024 Q1 |
InfrastructureManager discusses aging infrastructure vulnerabilities highlighted by Baltimore bridge collapse and cyberattacks, noting long-term trends requiring increased spending on maintenance, replacement, and mitigation. Growing demand expected for inspection services, maintenance, and infrastructure resilience. |
Maintenance Replacement Inspection Resilience Mitigation |
GeopoliticalExtensive discussion of Gaza conflict impacts on investor confidence, international law, diplomatic relationships, and information flows. Manager notes risks from government suppression of critical views and attacks on diplomatic premises affecting property rights and dispute resolution. |
Diplomacy International Law Property Rights Information Cooperation | |
| 2023 Q3 |
WaterManager discusses water scarcity risks from Hindu Kush Himalaya glacial melt affecting twelve Asian countries. Nine of ten major rivers have headwaters in China, creating geopolitical tensions as glaciers recede and water supply dwindles. |
Water China Glaciers Rivers Geopolitical |
ResilienceManager emphasizes prioritizing resilience given climate complications and geopolitical changes. Notes Asian societies may prove more flexible than high-income North American and European economies in adapting to challenges. |
Resilience Flexibility Asia Adaptation | |
Data CentersSouth East Asian countries compete for data center investments despite growing concerns over electricity and water consumption. Manager notes power and water becoming contentious in existing data center locations like Arizona and Ireland. |
Data Centers Power Water Southeast Asia Infrastructure | |
| 2023 Q2 |
ResilienceManager emphasizes seeking businesses with ability to survive and adapt in extreme scenarios, valuing resilience amid climate change, geopolitical tensions, and economic uncertainty. Portfolio focus shifting toward strong survivors at reasonable prices and sustainable business models for long-term prosperity. |
Sustainability Climate Adaptation Survival Durability |
ClimateClimate change identified as immediate risk affecting agricultural production, species populations, and ecosystem stability. Manager notes extraordinarily high temperatures globally and environmental stress indicators like precipitous wildlife population declines. |
Temperature Agriculture Ecosystem Environmental Species | |
Energy TransitionManager discusses energy and resource consumption as self-limiting due to depletion and environmental blowback. Notes renewable energy extends fossil fuel reserves but is not yet a substitute, with economic growth more dependent on fossil fuels than recognized. |
Renewable Fossil Depletion Substitution Resources | |
| 2023 Q1 |
ResilienceThe manager emphasizes building organizational resilience through structural changes, establishing co-management between AIMS and Seraya to provide continuity and regulatory assurance. Portfolio resilience is highlighted through diversification benefits that offset wild performance swings across holdings. |
Diversification Organizational Stability Structure |
| Date | Pitch Type | Author | Ticker | Company | Industry | Sub Industry | Bull / Bear | Exchange | Keywords | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 15, 2025 | Fund Letters | Apollo Asia Fund | REE.VN | REE Corporation | Utilities | Multi-Utilities | Bull | Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange | consolidation, Emerging markets, infrastructure, Power generation, Real Estate, utilities, Vietnam, Water Supply | Login |
| Jan 15, 2025 | Fund Letters | Apollo Asia Fund | STANLY.BK | Thai Stanley Electric Public Company Limited | Consumer Discretionary | Auto Parts & Equipment | Neutral | Stock Exchange of Thailand | Auto parts, Automotive Lighting, dividend income, Electric Vehicles, Japanese Joint Venture, manufacturing, Southeast Asia, Thailand | Login |
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