Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management
Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management (SMD-AM) is a leading domestic Japanese asset manager with a growing presence in the UK market. With a total AUM of $168bn, of which $54bn is in active Japanese equities, SMD-AM are known for consistently delivering alpha with an ecosystem that is hard to replicate. With over 50 years of history, SMD-AM offers a broad range of active Japanese equity capabilities across style and market capitalisation. The firm has over 40 portfolio managers operating across four investment groups, supported by a team of 30 analysts while leveraging proprietary macro-economic, quantitative research and ESG.
Fund: SMD-AM Japan Equity High Conviction
Why is the Fund a Fund to Watch?:
- The High Conviction Strategy has delivered 4.96% annualised gross alpha since the inception in 2020 versus the TOPIX A
- 30 stocks high conviction strategy fund seeking earning surprises/revisions which delivers alpha throughout Japan’s value/growth cycles
- SMD-AM has an ecosystem in Japan that is hard to replicate with 32 analysts and 8 portfolio managers feeding into this strategy
- The fund has grown from launch in 2024 to over $132m as of February 2026 end
Speaker:
Alex Hart, Investment Team
Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management
Alex Hart is a Product Specialist for the SMDAM Japanese equity business and has been in the industry for a decade. Prior to joining SMDAM, Alex worked as a product specialist for Asset Management One and Sompo Asset Management, both roles were Tokyo based. Alex holds a BA from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London. A lover of all things Japanese he is based in Tokyo and is fluent in Japanese.
Presentation Synopsis: Nudging the Tortoise in the Year of the Horse
Nobody could accuse Japan’s first female Prime Minister of procrastination. The results are now in, and the gamble of calling a snap election has paid off. Japan has voted with conviction for Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and her agenda of fiscal rejuvenation to continue.
With a majority of 316 seats out of a total of 465 in the Lower House, the wind is firmly in Takaichi’s sails and the path ahead is clear for Japan for the next few years.
We believe that the combination of a stable majority and policy dynamism that the new government brings will strongly benefit corporate Japan. Our approach to capture earning revisions/surprises by understanding a company’s full ecosystem is an approach we believe will yield results, irrespective of any fluctuations between the growth/value factors, moving into 2026.
Sales Attendees:
Alex Barry, Executive Director, Head of Sales, UK and Ireland
Mr Alexander Barry is the Head of Sales, UK and Ireland for SMDAM and joined the firm in March 2024. In his last role Alex was Head of UK Wholesale at Franklin Templeton who he joined in 2020 when they acquired his previous employer Legg Mason. Prior to joining Legg Mason he spent 19 years at JPMorgan Asset Management where he was a Managing Director and held a number of senior positions in both London and New York. Alex began his career in the industry at Fidelity International. Alex holds a Batchelor of Social Sciences Degree from the University of Birmingham.
Thomas Cartwright, Director, Business Development
Mr Thomas Cartwright joined Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management in October 2024 as a Director of Business Development with responsibility for distribution and client relations in the UK and Ireland. In his last role, Tom was the Head of Institutional Sales & Client Service for Capital Strategies Partners in the UK. Prior to this, he spent 13 years at Legg Mason Global Asset Management acting in a variety of roles, finally as Head of EMEA Client Service. Tom has a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Leeds.