Reconfirming the Exceptional Stability of the Wiseman Design Amid Market Turmoil
In recent times, the global financial landscape has faced profound challenges, particularly due to escalating tensions in the Middle East, including U.S. and Israeli military actions against Iran and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. These geopolitical factors led to a sharp rise in oil prices and intensified fears of inflation, resulting in a notable decline in stock markets by March 2026. Although a temporary ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran was established in early April, the financial markets are still characterized by high volatility.
In this chaotic environment, Bayview Asset Management, led by CEO Ken Yagi, has been able to offer a beacon of stability through its flagship product, the Global Supply Chain Fund—affectionately known as the Wiseman Design (with currency hedging). This fund has demonstrated remarkable resilience, providing stable returns regardless of market fluctuations, thus positioning itself as a viable option for diversified investment.
The secret to the Wiseman Design’s stability lies in its investment strategy, which concentrates solely on trade receivables from globally reputable firms rated BBB+ or higher by S&P, including those from Japan. This focus significantly minimizes the risk of default, securing reliable sources of income. Additionally, the discount rates applied to these receivables, akin to interest, are set in principle and are insulated from the daily market fluctuations impacting stocks and bonds.
As a result of this structured approach, the fund has consistently performed well during various financial crises. For instance:
Note: The course without currency hedging is subject to fluctuations in exchange rates.
In 2021, Bayview Asset Management began providing this investment strategy to institutional investors, including banks and pension funds, with a cumulative investment amount exceeding 320 billion yen in Japan. While the global private credit market has been fraught with issues like defaults and redemption suspensions from other funds, Bayview's strategy has so far avoided such problems and continues on track with anticipated returns.
This consistent performance has garnered significant accolades, with foreign currency funds utilizing this strategy winning the 'Best Performer' award for three consecutive years at the Bloomberg Businessweek Hedge Fund Awards. Particularly noteworthy is the year 2025, where they triumphed across three categories: Hedge Funds (over $500 million), Bond Hedge Funds, and Credit Hedge Funds.
Since April 2025, the Wiseman Design has also started being offered as a publicly collected fund on exclusive online platforms for individual investors.
The Global Supply Chain Fund focuses on investing in trade receivables resulting from transactions between premier import companies and small to medium-sized enterprises in Asia engaged in exports. This cutting-edge investment strategy aims to provide attractive performance with low risks while highlighting the significance of international trade that underpins our daily lives.
Whether as a substitute for deposits, as a measure against inflation, or as a component of a diverse investment strategy, this public fund serves as a new option for individual investors.
Note: The non-hedged course has exposure to currency risks.
Investment trusts differ from deposits and are not covered by deposit insurance.
Financial products may entail principal loss risks.
Purchasing entails fees and other costs.
For details on risks and expenses, please refer to the following link: https://bayview-toushin.jp/global-supply-chain-fund#risk-cost
Bayview Asset Management, established in January 1998, is one of Japan’s leading independent multi-boutique asset management firms. With over 1.42 trillion yen in contract assets, it primarily serves financial institutions and pension funds. The firm is characterized by its independence, meaning it does not have influential external shareholders, ensuring its operational autonomy and a focus entirely on investor-oriented services. This independent status, while rare in Japan, is common in international asset management markets like the U.S.
Moreover, Bayview prides itself on being a multi-boutique asset management company, specializing in high-quality products across equities, bonds, and private assets, in contrast to the wide-ranging inventory typical of ‘department store’ firms.
Additionally, maintaining ISMS certification, Bayview has developed a security management system that adheres to global standards, and it conducts internal control audits to ensure objectivity, transparency, and compliance in its operations. Unusually for an independent firm, Bayview has also conducted new graduate hiring for the past 16 years to solidify its operational platform.
The online direct sales service for individual investors, known as 'Bayview Investment Trust,' officially launched on April 22, 2025.
Foreign-denominated assets are evaluated at 159 yen per USD. This includes balances from domestic public investment trusts managed by overseas partners.
In this chaotic environment, Bayview Asset Management, led by CEO Ken Yagi, has been able to offer a beacon of stability through its flagship product, the Global Supply Chain Fund—affectionately known as the Wiseman Design (with currency hedging). This fund has demonstrated remarkable resilience, providing stable returns regardless of market fluctuations, thus positioning itself as a viable option for diversified investment.
Why Doesn't the Wiseman Design Get Affected by Market Volatility?
The secret to the Wiseman Design’s stability lies in its investment strategy, which concentrates solely on trade receivables from globally reputable firms rated BBB+ or higher by S&P, including those from Japan. This focus significantly minimizes the risk of default, securing reliable sources of income. Additionally, the discount rates applied to these receivables, akin to interest, are set in principle and are insulated from the daily market fluctuations impacting stocks and bonds.
As a result of this structured approach, the fund has consistently performed well during various financial crises. For instance:
- - COVID-19 Pandemic (March 2020): During the worldwide surge of the pandemic, while markets were in turmoil, the Wiseman Design managed to maintain stable performance.
- - Trump Tariff Shock (April 2025): Even when major stock indices faced sharp declines due to U.S. tariff policies, the fund's performance remained steadied.
- - Annual Returns from 2018 to 2025: The fund has continually delivered expected positive returns every year.
Note: The course without currency hedging is subject to fluctuations in exchange rates.
Providing High-Rated Private Credit Products to Retail Investors
In 2021, Bayview Asset Management began providing this investment strategy to institutional investors, including banks and pension funds, with a cumulative investment amount exceeding 320 billion yen in Japan. While the global private credit market has been fraught with issues like defaults and redemption suspensions from other funds, Bayview's strategy has so far avoided such problems and continues on track with anticipated returns.
This consistent performance has garnered significant accolades, with foreign currency funds utilizing this strategy winning the 'Best Performer' award for three consecutive years at the Bloomberg Businessweek Hedge Fund Awards. Particularly noteworthy is the year 2025, where they triumphed across three categories: Hedge Funds (over $500 million), Bond Hedge Funds, and Credit Hedge Funds.
Since April 2025, the Wiseman Design has also started being offered as a publicly collected fund on exclusive online platforms for individual investors.
What is the Global Supply Chain Fund (Wiseman Design)?
The Global Supply Chain Fund focuses on investing in trade receivables resulting from transactions between premier import companies and small to medium-sized enterprises in Asia engaged in exports. This cutting-edge investment strategy aims to provide attractive performance with low risks while highlighting the significance of international trade that underpins our daily lives.
Whether as a substitute for deposits, as a measure against inflation, or as a component of a diverse investment strategy, this public fund serves as a new option for individual investors.
Note: The non-hedged course has exposure to currency risks.
Investment trusts differ from deposits and are not covered by deposit insurance.
Financial products may entail principal loss risks.
Purchasing entails fees and other costs.
For details on risks and expenses, please refer to the following link: https://bayview-toushin.jp/global-supply-chain-fund#risk-cost
About Bayview Asset Management
Bayview Asset Management, established in January 1998, is one of Japan’s leading independent multi-boutique asset management firms. With over 1.42 trillion yen in contract assets, it primarily serves financial institutions and pension funds. The firm is characterized by its independence, meaning it does not have influential external shareholders, ensuring its operational autonomy and a focus entirely on investor-oriented services. This independent status, while rare in Japan, is common in international asset management markets like the U.S.
Moreover, Bayview prides itself on being a multi-boutique asset management company, specializing in high-quality products across equities, bonds, and private assets, in contrast to the wide-ranging inventory typical of ‘department store’ firms.
Additionally, maintaining ISMS certification, Bayview has developed a security management system that adheres to global standards, and it conducts internal control audits to ensure objectivity, transparency, and compliance in its operations. Unusually for an independent firm, Bayview has also conducted new graduate hiring for the past 16 years to solidify its operational platform.
The online direct sales service for individual investors, known as 'Bayview Investment Trust,' officially launched on April 22, 2025.
Company Details
- - Name: Bayview Asset Management, Inc.
- - CEO: Ken Yagi
- - Location: 29-1 Ichibancho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- - Founded: January 7, 1998
- - Business: Investment management (investment trusts and discretionary investments), investment consulting, second-tier financial instruments trading
- - Employees: 78 (as of April 1, 2026)
- - Contract Assets: 1.42 trillion yen as of March 2026
Foreign-denominated assets are evaluated at 159 yen per USD. This includes balances from domestic public investment trusts managed by overseas partners.
Topics Financial Services & Investing）
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