PRESS RELEASE
3 APRIL 2018

NIKKO ASSET MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.

Nikko Asset Management Recognised asBest Asia Pacific Equity ETF Manager
Nikko Asset Management (Nikko AM) today announces that it has been voted the Best Asia Pacific Equity ETF Manager
for the seventh time in eight years in a survey conducted by ETF Express, the digital news publisher serving institutional
investors and investment advisers.
Nikko AM's ETF assets under management (AUM) grew to over JPY 6.4 trillion by December 2017, representing nearly
60% year-over-year growth from JPY 4.0 trillion at the end of 2016. In 2017 Nikko AM was the second largest ETF
provider in the Asia-Pacific region, while ranking among the top ten globally (as of the end of December 2017).
In March 2017, Nikko Asset Management Asia launched the world’s first Asia ex Japan REIT ETF*, the NikkoAMStraitsTrading Asia ex Japan REIT ETF, on the Singapore Exchange (SGX). It provides access to a portfolio of REITs in Asia
across developed and emerging countries, such as Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Malaysia, and Indonesia. In June 2017,the Firm launched a similar Listed Index Fund Asian REIT on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE), expanding access to Japanbased investors.
“We are honoured by this recognition, which is a reflection that increasingly investors are looking for efficient exposure
to Japanese equity, and other yield producing asset classes. Our focus on performance-driven solutions has enabled
this growth. Last year saw significant expansion for our ETF business outside of Japan, and we look forward tocontinuing to grow our investor base globally in 2018,” said Koei Imai, Head of the ETF Centre at Nikko AssetManagement.
ETF Express surveys the best ETF managers in their respective asset classes, recognising managers based on productinnovation, performance, consistency, expert knowledge, and transparency. Results are centred on a peer review
system that sees investors, managers, advisers and distributors, and other industry participants nominate winners foreach category. Firms are then subject to a final review by the ETF Express editorial team before the winners are named.
This award is based on past performance and does not guarantee future investment performance.
*According to Nikko Asset Management’s research.

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About Nikko Asset Management
With US$211.6 billion (23.83 trillion yen)* under management, Nikko Asset Management is one of Asia’s largest asset
managers, providing high-conviction, active fund management across a range of Equity, Fixed Income, Multi-Assetand Alternative strategies. In addition, its complementary range of passive strategies covers more than 20 indices andincludes some of Asia’s largest exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
Headquartered in Asia since 1959, the firm represents nearly 200** investment professionals and over 30 nationalities
across 9 countries. More than 300 banks, brokers, financial advisors and life insurance companies around the world
distribute the company’s products.
The investment teams benefit from a unique global perspective complemented by the firm's historic Asian DNA,
striving to deliver consistent excellence in performance. The firm also prides itself on its progressive solution-driven
approach, which has led to many innovative funds launched for its clients.
For more information about Nikko Asset Management and to access its investment insights, please visit the firm’s
homepage.
* Consolidated assets under management and sub-advisory of Nikko Asset Management and its subsidiaries as of 31 December 2017.
** As of 31 December 2017, including employees of Nikko Asset Management and its subsidiaries.

Important Information
This document is prepared by Nikko Asset Management Co., Ltd. and/or its affiliates (Nikko AM) and is for distribution
only under such circumstances as may be permitted by applicable laws. This document does not constituteinvestment advice or a personal recommendation and it does not consider in any way the suitability or
appropriateness of the subject matter for the individual circumstances of any recipient.
This document is for information purposes only and is not intended to be an offer, or a solicitation of an offer, to buy
or sell any investments or participate in any trading strategy. Moreover, the information in this material will not affectNikko AM’s investment strategy in any way. The information and opinions in this document have been derived fromor reached from sources believed in good faith to be reliable but have not been independently verified. Nikko AM
makes no guarantee, representation or warranty, express or implied, and accepts no responsibility or liability for theaccuracy or completeness of this document. No reliance should be placed on any assumptions, forecasts, projections,estimates or prospects contained within this document. This document should not be regarded by recipients as a
substitute for the exercise of their own judgment. Opinions stated in this document may change without notice.
In any investment, past performance is neither an indication nor guarantee of future performance and a loss of capital
may occur. Estimates of future performance are based on assumptions that may not be realised. Investors should be
able to withstand the loss of any principal investment. The mention of individual stocks, sectors, regions or countries
within this document does not imply a recommendation to buy or sell.
Nikko AM accepts no liability whatsoever for any loss or damage of any kind arising out of the use of all or any part ofthis document, provided that nothing herein excludes or restricts any liability of Nikko AM under applicableregulatory rules or requirements.
All information contained in this document is solely for the attention and use of the intended recipients. Any use
beyond that intended by Nikko AM is strictly prohibited.
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at persons in Japan nor is it intended for distribution to persons in Japan. Registration Number: Director of the Kanto
Local Finance Bureau (Financial Instruments firms) No. 368 Member Associations: The Investment Trusts Association,
Japan/Japan Investment Advisers Association/Japan Securities Dealers Association.
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United Kingdom and rest of Europe: This document constitutes a financial promotion for the purposes of theFinancial Services and Markets Act 2000 (as amended) (FSMA) and the rules of the Financial Conduct Authority (theFCA) in the United Kingdom (the FCA Rules).
This document is communicated by Nikko Asset Management Europe Ltd, which is authorised and regulated in theUnited Kingdom by the FCA (122084). It is directed only at (a) investment professionals falling within article 19 of theFinancial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotions) Order 2005, (as amended) (the Order) (b) certain highnet worth entities within the meaning of article 49 of the Order and (c) persons to whom this document mayotherwise lawfully be communicated (all such persons being referred to as relevant persons) and is only available tosuch persons and any investment activity to which it relates will only be engaged in with such persons.
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an offer, to buy or sell any investments. This document should not be regarded as investment advice. This document
may not be duplicated, quoted, discussed or otherwise shared without prior consent. Any offering or distribution of aFund in the United States may only be conducted via a licensed and registered broker-dealer or a duly qualifiedentity. Nikko Asset Management Americas, Inc. is a United States Registered Investment Adviser.
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financial situation and particular needs of any specific person. You should seek advice from a financial adviser before
making any investment. In the event that you choose not to do so, you should consider whether the investment
selected is suitable for you. Nikko Asset Management Asia Limited is a regulated entity in Singapore.
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financial situation and particular needs of any specific person. You should seek advice from a financial adviser before
making any investment. In the event that you choose not to do so, you should consider whether the investment
selected is suitable for you. The contents of this document have not been reviewed by the Securities and Futures
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Australia: Nikko AM Limited ABN 99 003 376 252 (Nikko AM Australia) is responsible for the distribution of thisinformation in Australia. Nikko AM Australia holds Australian Financial Services Licence No. 237563 and is part of theNikko AM Group. This material and any offer to provide financial services are for information purposes only. This
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Investment Manager of Nikko AM NZ Investment Scheme and the Nikko AM NZ Wholesale Investment Scheme.
This material is for the use of researchers, financial advisers and wholesale investors (in accordance with Schedule 1,Clause 3 of the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013 in New Zealand). This material has been prepared without taking
into account a potential investor’s objectives, financial situation or needs and is not intended to constitute personal
financial advice, and must not be relied on as such. Recipients of this material, who are not wholesale investors, or thenamed client, or their duly appointed agent, should consult an Authorised Financial Adviser and the relevant ProductDisclosure Statement or Fund Fact Sheet (available on our website www.nikkoam.co.nz).

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Kingdom of Bahrain: The document has not been approved by the Central Bank of Bahrain which takes noresponsibility for its contents. No offer to the public to purchase the Strategy will be made in the Kingdom of Bahrain
and this document is intended to be read by the addressee only and must not be passed to, issued to, or shown to thepublic generally.
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offering of the Strategy in Kuwait on the basis a private placement or public offering is, therefore, restricted inaccordance with Decree Law No. 7 of 2010 and the bylaws thereto (as amended). No private or public offering of theStrategy is being made in Kuwait, and no agreement relating to the sale of the Strategy will be concluded in Kuwait.
No marketing or solicitation or inducement activities are being used to offer or market the Strategy in Kuwait.
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which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (as amended) (FSMA) and the rulesof the Financial Conduct Authority (the FCA) in the United Kingdom (the FCA Rules). This document should not be
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securities in the Sultanate of Oman as contemplated by Article 139 of the Executive Regulations to the Capital Market
law (issued by Decision No. 1/2009). This document is not intended to lead to the conclusion of any contract ofwhatsoever nature within the territory of the Sultanate of Oman.
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willing and able to conduct an independent investigation of the risks involved in an investment in such Strategy, and(b) upon their specific request.
The Strategy has not been approved by or licensed or registered with the UAE Central Bank, the Securities andCommodities Authority or any other relevant licensing authorities or governmental agencies in the UAE. This
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No transaction will be concluded in the UAE and any inquiries regarding the Strategy should be made to Nikko AssetManagement Europe Ltd.

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