HFEL is an investment company that seeks to deliver a growing dividend for its shareholders along with capital growth from a portfolio of around 60 companies across the Asia Pacific region. The company targets high and sustainable dividends from companies in the region’s more mature markets such as Australia and South Korea, and those in its faster growing economies that have a higher potential for dividend growth, including India and Indonesia.

In this interview John speaks with manager Sat Duhra – who co-manages the company alongside Mike Kerley, until the latter shortly retires – about how the trust has navigated a difficult year for Asian equities; why the team have reduced exposure to China in favour of India; the growing technological capabilities of Asian companies, and the increasing penetration of Asian brands into global markets; and the attractiveness of Asian equity valuations in the context of their rapid growth prospects and growing economic resilience.