Japanese investors favoring funds betting on AI, big data - Nikkei Asian Review

The Japanese investment trust market is at a turning point as popular monthly-distribution trusts have begun to see a net outflow of funds while artificial intelligence- and big data-oriented funds are attracting investors expecting high growth. Long-term investment trusts are also in a firm state in line with a growing trend toward asset-building and away from savings in Japan. In 2017, open-type investment trusts, excluding exchange-traded funds, witnessed a new inflow of funds totaling 2.71 trillion yen ($24.34 billion). With their outstanding balance continuing to increase, investment trusts are taking hold as a key asset-building tool for individuals. According to data compiled by QUICK Asset Management Research Center on fund flows for investment trust management companies, individual investors are being lured to trusts that focus on AI and other cutting-edge technologies.