Bangkok-based NT Asset Management has generated a steady buzz among investors for its equity strategy focused on small-cap companies across the region with a special emphasis on ASEAN markets. Kenneth Ng, portfolio manager of the $400 million NT Asian Discovery Fund, says their success is tied to deep fundamental research zero-ing heavily in on highly promising companies mostly ignored by bigger asset managers
When ex-Macquarie buy-side analysts Kenneth Ng and John Thompson established NT Asset in 2006, they initially considered setting up shop in Hong Kong or Singapore. They ended up in Bangkok, the capital of Thailand.
Ng, a Malaysian and Thompson, a Thai/British national, say that Bangkok remains the ideal location for them to operate from since it is just two to three hours’ flight away from most of the markets they invest in. Cost considerations undeniably also played a key role in the decision, with...