Category: Technology

Key Highlights

  • Abrdn Sust Asian Opportunities Active ETF (ASX:ASAO) held a fund size of $1.63 million, having listed on the ASX on 19 October 2022.
  • Technology is the largest sector at 51.50 per cent, above the category average of 46.95 per cent.
  • Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing is the top holding at 18.43 per cent, ahead of Samsung Electronics and SK hynix.
  • The fund's final distribution of $0.198 per unit was considerably higher than the $0.012 per unit paid in the prior comparable period.

Abrdn Sust Asian Opportunities Active ETF (ASX:ASAO) is an ASX-listed, actively managed fund that invests in equities and equity-related securities of companies listed, incorporated or domiciled in Asia excluding Japan, or that derive a significant share of their revenues or Assets from the region. The fund is benchmarked against the MSCI AC Asia ex Japan NR AUD index, was admitted to the ASX on 19 October 2022, and sits within the Equity Asia Pacific w/o Japan Morningstar category, with a fund size of $1.63 million, 1,193,084 units on issue and a management fee of 1.18 per cent.

Sector Composition

ASAO's portfolio carries a heavier technology weighting than its category. Technology represents 51.50 per cent of the fund, above the category average of 46.95 per cent, while financial services makes up 17.44 per cent, also above the category's 13.96 per cent. Consumer cyclical accounts for 8.52 per cent, below the category average of 13.10 per cent, and communication services 7.34 per cent, close to the category's 7.10 per cent. Industrials contribute 5.05 per cent, healthcare 3.09 per cent, real estate 2.42 per cent, basic materials 1.94 per cent, utilities 1.80 per cent and consumer defensive 0.91 per cent.

By market capitalisation, companies above $1 billion account for 99.99 per cent of the fund, above the category average of 97.02 per cent, with no exposure recorded to companies below that threshold. The asset mix includes 96.33 per cent in equities and 3.67 per cent in cash, with no bond or other exposure.

Top Holdings

ASAO holds 72 companies, with its top 10 positions representing 55.19 per cent of the fund and a Turnover ratio of 31.09 per cent. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing is the largest holding at 18.43 per cent, followed by Samsung Electronics at 7.59 per cent and SK hynix at 7.53 per cent. Tencent Holdings holds a 6.06 per cent weighting, a further Samsung Electronics listing 3.90 per cent, Chroma Ate 2.60 per cent, Alibaba Group 2.55 per cent, Contemporary Amperex Technology 2.30 per cent, ICICI Bank 2.12 per cent and HDFC Bank 2.07 per cent.

Geographic Exposure

Taiwan represents the largest country exposure at 28.08 per cent, followed by China at 27.32 per cent and South Korea at 25.60 per cent. India contributes 12.71 per cent, above the category average of 5.96 per cent, while Singapore, Vietnam, Hong Kong, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom make up smaller allocations.

Distribution and Risk Metrics

ASAO reported a Beta of 1.03 and a Standard Deviation of 22.13. The fund's most recent final distribution was $0.198 per unit, with an ex-date of 1 July 2026. This distribution was considerably higher than the $0.012 per unit paid in July 2025 and the $0.009 per unit paid in July 2024. The fund's ISIN is AU0000236804.

Conclusion

Abrdn Sust Asian Opportunities Active ETF (ASX:ASAO) provides actively managed exposure to companies across Asia excluding Japan, with a portfolio weighted more heavily toward technology than its Morningstar category and concentrated among Taiwanese, Chinese and South Korean names. Its most recent distribution rose markedly compared with the two prior comparable periods.