Eq8 Capital has rebranded and partnered with PhillipCapital to provide greater access to its top-performing EQ8US50 ETF through EPF’s i-Invest portal. This collaboration aims to enhance investment opportunities and expand the ETF market in Malaysia.
15 May 2024 – Eq8 Capital Sdn Bhd (“Eq8”), formerly known as i-VCAP Management Sdn Bhd and Malaysia’s leading equity Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) manager, has launched a new corporate identity. As a wholly owned subsidiary of Kenanga Investors Berhad, Eq8 is enhancing access to its top-performing ETF, the Eq8 Dow Jones US Titans 50 ETF (“EQ8US50”), through a strategic partnership with Phillip Capital Management Sdn Bhd (“PhillipCapital”).
This collaboration leverages PhillipCapital’s role as an Authorized Fund Management Institution under the Employee Provident Fund’s (EPF) Members Investment Scheme. Eq8’s EQ8US50, which has outperformed the S&P 500 by 45% and delivered over 116% growth in the past five years, is now available through the Phillip PMART ETF Eq8 US Titans 50 Shariah Aggressive Portfolio (“PMART Eq8 ETF”) on EPF’s i-Invest portal.
The PMART Eq8 ETF, with EQ8US50 as its underlying asset, is a shariah-compliant managed portfolio that tracks the performance of the 50 largest companies in the United States, including Tesla, NVIDIA, Apple, and Amazon.
“Incorporating ETFs into our offerings since 2020 has boosted portfolio performance and opened new investment opportunities, enabling investors to tailor their strategies effectively,” said Datuk Wira Ismitz Matthew De Alwis, Executive Director and CEO of Kenanga Investors Berhad. “Eq8’s evolution reflects our commitment to financial empowerment and inclusivity. Read as ‘Equate,’ we aim to promote equality, simplicity, and transparency in financial markets through our ETFs.”
Umar Alhadad, Executive Director of Eq8, added, “The rebranding and collaboration highlight Eq8’s proactive approach to forging strategic alliances within the financial sector. This partnership extends our reach, allowing investors to navigate market volatility with EQ8US50’s passive strategies, easing the challenge of stock selection over the medium to long term.”
This strategic move is expected to grow the ETF market by attracting new investors who may be unfamiliar with trading ETFs on the exchange, facilitated by EPF’s i-Invest digital interface.
“We are delighted to partner with Eq8, offering more investment options for our platform users,” said Datin Hajjah Nona Salleh, Group Chairperson of PhillipCapital Malaysia. “We foresee increased inflows via the newly established channel, thanks to the seamless investment experience on EPF’s i-Invest. Together, we will leverage our strengths to develop innovative solutions that meet investors’ needs.”
With the rebranding, all ETFs under Eq8 have transitioned to carry the ‘Eq8’ prefix, replacing the previous ‘MyETF’.
