ABL Asset Management Company Limited

FAQs

FAQs



A mutual fund is an investment vehicle that collects money from many investors, and invests the collected pool of money in various investment avenues. The fund itself is managed by experienced professionals, who dedicatedly monitor the performance of the fund as part of a licensed Asset Management Company and manage it accordingly, on an ongoing basis. Mutual Funds exist to make investments and give returns to their investors.
A highly regulated financial institution licensed by the regulator ( SECP in case of Pakistan) that structures and manages various mutual funds and also provide investment advisory services.
The fee charged by the asset management company (AMC) for managing the fund. This fee is usually quoted on an annual basis and is calculated as percentage of net assets under management.

Some of the major benefits of investing in a mutual fund are:

  • Diversification
  • Professional management
  • Liquidity
  • Affordability
  • Convenience
  • Return Potential
  • Transparency
  • Choice of Schemes
  • Well regulated

Mutual Funds are operated by ABL Funds are licensed by the regulator to do so after meeting a range of requirements. An asset management company on behalf of the fund, collects money from many investors and invests it in various investment avenues like shares, bonds, etc.

A Mutual Fund is set up under a Trust structure with a 3rd Party entity designated as the Trustee. All investments made by the fund, its bank accounts, all transactions are, in fact, managed by the Trustee at the advice of the AMC. The Trustee is obligated to follow the instructions of the AMC, as long as these instructions do not violate the “Trust Deed” which is a legal agreement signed by the AMC and the Trustee that governs the operating framework of the Trust (i.e. the mutual fund).

This fund is managed by professionals who understand the market well, and try to achieve the fund’s investment objective by taking sound investment decisions on behalf of the fund. Investors get units of the mutual fund according to the amount they have invested and the return from investment gets reflected in the price of their units.

In Pakistan, Non-Banking Finance Companies (like AMCs, Insurance Companies, Investment Banks etc) are regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan, which has been empowered by an Act of Parliament to perform this regulatory function. The SECP is responsible for protecting the customers’ interest by setting rules under which AMCs and Mutual Funds operate, as well as stringently reviewing AMCs and Mutual Funds consistently to ensure that all the rules are being complied with.

SECP has provided elaborate investment guidelines and require thorough reporting by AMCs to ensure prudent functioning of mutual funds. It stipulates how investors’ money should be invested and also how these investments are to be valued on an ongoing basis. For more details Click Here.

Mutual Funds Association of Pakistan (MUFAP), a trade body of mutual funds also involves itself in devising compliance and best practices guidelines in the industry to ensure professional ethics.

The Trustee holds assets on behalf of the fund in a Trust and works to safeguard the rights of investors. Trustee can be a custodian as well by taking the physical possession of all securities purchased by the mutual fund, and undertakes responsibility for its handling and safekeeping. For instance, the Central Depository Company (CDC) and MCB FSL are mostly the custodians for most fund houses in the country.
An auditor is responsible for evaluating the validity and reliability of a company or organization’s financial statements
Shariah Advisory ensures the compliance of operations and investments with Islamic principles. At ABL Asset Management we draw guidance from the Shariah Supervisory Council of Al- Hilal Shariah Advisors comprising of renowned Islamic scholars. For details Click Here.

Incorporated in 2007, ABL Asset Management Company Limited (ABL Funds) is registered as a Non-Banking Finance Company (NBFC) licensed by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) to provide Asset Management and Investment Advisory services within a legal framework of the prevailing Non-Banking Finance Companies (Establishment and Regulation) Rules, 2003 and the Non-Banking Finance Companies and Notified Entities Regulations, 2008.

As an Investment Adviser, we are authorized to manage discretionary and non-discretionary portfolios for its clients. ABL Asset Management is also licensed as a Pension Fund Manager under Voluntary Pension System Rules, 2005.

ABL Funds has been rated ‘AM1’ by PACRA which denotes 'Highest Asset Manager Rating' and is the only AMC to have acquired ISO 27001 certification.

Mutual funds differ in terms of investment objectives, strategies, risks and costs. When choosing a mutual fund the following should be considered:

  • Risk profile
  • Fees and expenses
  • Investment Objective
  • Time Horizon
  • Tax consequences
  • Past performance of the AMC/fund

As per SECP, the categorization of the open-end Collective Investment Schemes (CIS) made on the basis of investment parameters including eligible asset classes with pre-specified risk profile is imperative to enable the investors to make informed decision and to bring uniformity in the mutual funds industry for comparing performance of various open-end CIS.

In this regard CIS can be classified as following:

Equity Scheme, Balanced Scheme, Asset Allocation Scheme, Fund of Fund Scheme, Shariah Compliant Schemes, Capital Protected Scheme, Index Tracker Scheme, Money Market Scheme, Income Scheme and Aggressive Fixed Income Scheme

Open-end funds can be bought and sold at any time, by simply contacting the AMC.
Closed-end funds have a fixed number of shares outstanding and do not redeem when investors want to sell; instead, the shares trade in the secondary markets (stock markets). Its market price is determined by demand and supply and is not directly tied to its net asset value. In order to buy or sell units of a close ended Mutual Fund, the investor shall need to contact the broker and not the AMC.
IPO stands for Initial Public Offering. It refers to sale of fresh units of a new fund.
A fund of fund is a kind of mutual fund that invests in a variety of mutual funds.
The objective of equity funds is long-term growth of capital by investing in stocks. Because stocks are generally more volatile than other type of investments, equity funds (which are usually composed entirely of stocks) may exhibit short-term fluctuation and therefore carry a higher level of risk.
The objective of balanced fund is to generate long term capital appreciation as well as current income from a portfolio comprising of both equity as well as fixed income securities.
The objective of index tracker funds is to provide investors an opportunity to track closely the performance of an Index by investing in proportion to the constituent securities found in the index. Being a passive fund, it charges lower management fee from unit holders vs. a pure equity active fund.
The investment objective is to protect Initial Investment Value along with the prospect of growth upon the initial investment over the stipulated time period. These funds give you 100% capital protection, with the potential to earn a return that is better than that being offered by bank deposits or money market funds/ instruments. In order to achieve their objective they may seek to cash-in on any stock market upside that may be witnessed during the tenure.
The objective of money market funds is to invest in low risk avenues. These funds aim to preserve your original investment and achieve target returns with high certainty and low risk factor by investing in investment instrument with low risk and lower volatility.
The objective of income funds is to have a regular stream of income by investing in debt securities that have the potential to provide a higher level of regular income than money market funds and may also generate reasonable capital growth.
Shariah Compliant Investments are investments those that have been through a dedicated team with a shariah compliant objective. These teams use shariah compliant investment tools and the areas investments are made in, along with the processes used are extensively monitored by our esteemed Shariah Advisors.
Shariah Compliant Investments are investments those that have been through a dedicated team with a shariah compliant objective. These teams use shariah compliant investment tools and the areas investments are made in, along with the processes used are extensively monitored by our esteemed Shariah Advisors.

An audit is conducted by the Shariah Advisor to ensure compliance with Islamic Shariah principles.

Islamic funds are different from conventional funds in following ways:

Presence and careful monitoring by the Shariah Board

It is ensured that all aspects of the Shariah are adhered to before, during and after an investment is carried out in a Shariah Compliant manner.

Well defined and Specific Investment Avenues

Investment avenues are limited to those that comply with the Shariah

Charity and Purification

Any investment/financing that is deemed to have an element of Riba becomes liable for Purification and has to be given away as charity

Asset Ownership

The ownership of an asset lies with the party that provides financing and bears the risk e.g. financing by a bank, and assumption of all the risk (non recovery, etc) associated with it.

Permissible transactions

Transactions have to be conducted according to the Shariah, e.g. no short sales

Islamic Investment in only Shariah Compliant Avenues

For Islamic mutual funds and other Islamic Investors, investment can only be made in those securities (equity, debt, etc) which comply with well-defined screening ratios

A pension is a steady income given to a person (usually after retirement). Pension is a saving, or a contribution, which is collected during the working life of an individual and invested for profit. After retirement, the individual is entitled to a steady monthly income from a fund built up from the earlier savings.
A voluntary pension is a pension scheme run by a Pension Fund Manager who manages the voluntary contributions made by a participant, whether employed or not, or by an employer on his behalf.

It is a saving mechanism where an individual saves from his/her current income in order to retain financial security and comfort in terms of regular income after retirement.

ABL PF and ABL IPF is voluntary pension scheme registered under Voluntary Pension System Rules, 2005 and managed by ABL Funds (Pension Fund Manager).
For retirement planning with the aim to get regular stream of income after retirement and to avail additional tax benefits of upto 20% of taxable income (as per section 63 of ITO, 2001). Furthermore, when investing in Mutual Funds the investors tend to follow the market trend and are inclined to redeem their units when reasonable gains can be booked.
The Individual Pension Account in ABL Pension Funds can be opened by visiting any Allied Bank branch and ABL Funds Savings Centers across the country.
All Pakistani nationals having a valid CNIC are eligible to contribute in the scheme.
A Participant is an individual on whose behalf contributions are made into ABL PF/ABL IPF.
Pension Fund Manager means an asset management company or a life insurance company duly authorized by the Commission (SECP) to efficaciously manage the contributions made by or on behalf of participants in pension fund and meet such other conditions as may be prescribed from time to time by the Commission;
Copy of CNIC, Copy of NTN, Business / Employment proof, Zakat Declaration (where applicable) FATCA form, Copy of Form B, KYC Details, CRS Form, Risk Profiling questionnaire, Copy of Pension Fund Account Statement (In case of transfer from another pension fund manager), Employer Contribution Form (In case of contribution by employer) and Health Questionnaire Form for free Takaful coverage.
Rs.500 only.

To build a pension fund in proper manner, one should have to first determine the amount required on a monthly basis after the time of retirement. In addition, one will have to work out how much will he/she need to set aside on a monthly basis to come with a lump sum amount large enough to create an annuity, which provides a desirable monthly income after retirement.

An investment allocation scheme provides an opportunity to create a personalized retirement fund through regular contributions, with allocations adjusted according to the age & risk taking capacity of the investor.

ABL Pension Funds are comprised of three sub-funds each:

  • Equity Sub Fund
  • Debt Sub Fund
  • Money Market Sub Fund

Based on the sub funds, ABL Pension Funds offers distinctive allocation schemes as per the financial goals and risk appetite of the investor:

  • High Volatility
  • Medium Volatility
  • Low Volatility
  • Lower Volatility
  • Customized Allocation Scheme

Contributions in pension funds are invested in various instruments to earn returns and create wealth over the entire work life of the participant in accordance with the investment policy. One can invest money regularly or make lump-sum payments.

The payments will be invested in the particular allocation scheme chosen with the aim of growing individual pension account. The most important thing is being secure and independent even when the regular sources of income have exhausted. Contributions in pension funds are available for tax credit and return on the same are also tax free.

ABL Funds will invest the pension fund money in different Equity, Fixed Income and Money Market instruments with the aim to maximize return of participants.
Sales Load is of maximum upto 3 % can be charged. Management fee is charged @ 1.5 % per annum of the net assets value of the pension fund. There is no charge like back end load in case of withdrawals, however, all the withdrawals before retirement are subject to withholding tax at individual’s last three years income tax rate.
In case of death before retirement:

All his investment will be redeemed and same will be available to the nominated survivors with the following options:

  • Withdraw his share of the amount subject to the conditions laid down in the Income Tax Ordinance 2001;
  • Transfer his/her share of the amount into his existing or new individual pension account to be opened with the Pension Fund manager,

Use his/her share of the amount to purchase an annuity on his life from a Life Insurance Company, only-if his/her age is fifty- five years or more; or

Use his/her share of the amount to purchase a deferred annuity on his life from a Life Insurance Company to commence at age fifty five years or later

In case of disability before retirement, the person will be treated as retired and will get all the benefits as on retirement, in case of disability.

The term of the investment in pension fund is 60 -70 i.e., the age of the retirement of the investor or the age which he/she will be after 25 years from the date of first contribution into a VPS; whichever comes first.
  • On retirement you can withdraw up to 50% of the accumulated balance free of tax.
  • The balance amount can be used to invest in an approved Income Payment Plan from pension fund manager.
  • You can choose to redeem before retirement however; the withdrawal will be subject to income tax.
A participant at any time before retirement shall be entitled to redeem the total or part of his/her accumulation subject to payment of tax @ the average tax rate of the preceding three years.
Profit will not be distributed to the investor, it will accumulate with the investment and after retirement investor can get the benefits.
Pension funds are similar to other open-end funds in terms of their returns. However, they are regulated under VPS rules 2005 while Open end funds are regulated under NBFC Rules. Pension Fund is available for tax credits with limits as defined under Section 63 of ITO 2001 is applied.
ABL Asset Management is registered with the SECP. The SECP not only regulates the Asset Management industry but also all stock exchanges of Pakistan, all listed companies, the insurance industry, investment banking sector and the stock brokerage business. The SECP has established and continues to develop a stringent set of rules and requirements; an organization has to abide by in order to operate as an Asset Management Company.
We cannot quote the rate of return as per asset management rules. All the returns are market driven, however, historical returns in various avenues of investment are considered for the purpose of illustrations. They can be referred from monthly FMR.
Yes, investor can change his allocation scheme as per his choice.
E-statement is sent on each transaction and on monthly basis while hard copy is sent at registered address of investor once or on request a year.
Yes, as per Rule 15 (4) Investors can change the Pension Fund Manager without any cost once in a financial year by giving a notice of at least 21 days before the transaction
Retirement age as per Rules is between 60 to 70 years or 25 years since the age of first contribution whichever is lower.
Investor can invest any time at his convenience. It is the participant's own decision. However, for better planning, it is strongly recommended that a participant contributes to his individual pension account in a systematic way.
NAV stands for Net Asset Value of a mutual fund. This is basically the price of one unit of a mutual fund.
NAV can be calculated as follows:

Assets of the fund – Liabilities of the fund / Number of outstanding units for that fund

In Pakistan many mutual funds publish their NAV at the end of every business day.
Redemption price is the price that you receive on selling a unit of your mutual fund .
It is a charge collected by a mutual fund when it sells units. It can be either front-end load (i.e., the charge is collected when an investor buys the units) or back-end load (i.e, the charge collected when the investor sells back the units). Some schemes do not charge any load and are called No Load Schemes.

Investing with us is a simple process for both individual and institutional investors. You can fill out the Account Opening Form &am