Securing your financial future

MANILA, Philippines - Hundreds of Citigold clients who are eager to learn what’s in store for them for the rest of the year were treated to a mid-year investment outlook briefing at the ballroom of Fairmont Makati. Citigold is Citi’s premier wealth management service.

The Citigold 2014 Mid-Year Outlook is an annual event hosted for its clients for timely market updates. As the preferred wealth management partner in Asia and in the country, it helps clients grow, manage and protect their wealth and secure their financial future with its team of professionals, unmatched research services, world-class products, global access and exclusive privileges and rewards.

Citi Philippines retail banking head Anthony Thomas emphasized the bank’s continuing commitment to present clients with up-to-date information on local and global markets in support of their financial planning. The affair featured several speakers who shared investment prospects for the second half of the year led by Ben Panares of Citicorp Financial Services and Insurance Brokerage Philippines Inc.

Executives from globally recognized investment management firms also lent their support to Citi, including ATR KimEng Asset Management Group (ATRAM) managing director Michael Ferrer, Franklin Templeton Investments vice president and lead product manager Adam Grotzinger, Fidelity Worldwide Investment head of product management for Asia Matthew Sutherland and BlackRock director for Southeast Asia Yifei Li. ATRAM’s investment directors Phillip Hagedorn and Deanno Basas provided their views on Philippine equities and fixed income outlook as well.

Despite the presence of geopolitical issues, deflation, inflation and rising yields, Citigold clients were informed to expect moderate risks this time. Panares said, “For the second half of this year, remember to focus on fundamentals and remain positive on the economic progress of Europe, Japan, the US and even the Philippines.”

Citi encouraged its patrons to continue working on what they have invested during the first half of the year. It also advised clients to “look at other funds that are off-benchmark.”