'Investors must still beware Asia's corporate pitfalls'

'Investors must still beware Asia’s corporate pitfalls'

JO Hambro Capital Management's Samir Mehta does not hold back when highlighting Asia's flaws. According to the manager, Chinese growth has been fuelled by "other people's money", companies are overly fond of "accounting profits" and corporate governance can leave much to be desired at some Korean companies.

However, he has managed to negotiate these potential pitfalls and steer his fund to top-quartile performance in the Asia ex Japan sector. Over three years to 14 November 2014, the fund has returned 43.5% compared to a sector average of 27.5%, according to FE. The portfolio, which has around 80% invested in longer-term growth plays and 20% in cyclicals, has also outperformed over one year. Here, Mehta tells Julia Rampen why he is buying Chinese state-owned enterprises, what obstacles Indonesia's new president faces, and why he is holding on to his Indian stocks. How have you respon...