4 August 2008, KUCHING: CMS Trust Management Berhad held an investment talk here today themed “The Perfect Storm: Uncovered” to share the award-winning company’s strategies and insight into the markets to current investors, business partners and the general public.

The investment talk is a continuation of CMS Trust’s series of investment talks which began in 2007 to brief investors on the current turbulent market, local and domestic economic conditions, the future market outlook, and the fund manager’s strategies in going forward to optimise returns.

According to Scott Lim, CMS Trust Management’s Chief Investment Officer, “The current turbulence is indicative of a market shift that creates uncertainty in the short-term but will lead to major positive results for the economy and market in the long-run, particularly for companies that are competitive in a relatively free market.”

“CMS Trust foresees the market undergoing a structural shift towards separation between business and politics, and therefore we continue to transfer our focus to Malaysian companies with global business models,” he said.

“This market crisis is fast emerging as one of the best entry points for long-term investors over the last five years since crises of 9/11 and the SARS outbreak. In such times, crisis creates opportunities,” he added.

CMS Trust’s investment talk in Kuching today is part of a nationwide road-show by the company to meet with investors. A similar session will be held in Miri (5 August), Kota Kinabalu (6 August) Penang (7 August) and in Kuala Lumpur (12 August).

Besides the investment talk, CMS Trust also announced its recent merger of CMS Trust Management Berhad with CMS Asset Management Sdn Bhd effective 1 July 2008. Ian Tham has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer of the larger CMS Trust Management Berhad.

According to Simon Chow, CMS Trust’s head of Marketing and Client Services, “The merger of CMS’ fund management and unit trust funds puts CMS Trust is a better position to take full advantage of our combined strengths and to tap new opportunities for our investors.

“With wealth management expertise, award-winning funds and a highly experienced team of fund managers under one roof, CMS Trust is determined to bring you the best in Wealth Intelligence”, added Simon Chow.

CMS Trust currently manages 9 funds of which the CMS Premier Fund and CMS Islamic Fund have shown to be consistent winners for investors. CMS Premier Fund won the Best Equity Malaysia Fund for 10 years for 2007 at the Edge-Lipper Malaysian Funds Awards 2008. Meanwhile the CMS Islamic Fund was awarded the Best Malaysian Fund for the one year period, and three year period at the 3 rd Annual Failaka Islamic Fund Awards in Dubai .

CMS Trust also received recognition from financial publication AsianInvestor at its 2008 Investment Performance Awards for the company's performance in Malaysian Islamic Equities in the 5 year performance category.