Exclusive Interview with Derayah Financial

Derayah Financial focuses on delivering the products and services investors need to achieve their investment objectives. The Derayah Freestyle Saudi Equity Fund was selected as the ‘Best Sharia Compliant Equity Fund Saudi Arabia 2019’.

Global Banking & Finance Review interviewed Yasir Maqbool, Head of Capital Markets at Derayah Financial about their success.

Congratulations on your award-winning success. To begin can you tell us a little about Derayah Financial and what you offer clients?

Thank you for honoring us with this award. It is indeed a great Milestone for Derayah Financials. Derayah is an independent investment firm (based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) by the Saudi Capital Market Authority. Since its establishment in 2008, Derayah has succeeded in building a distinguished reputation of exceeding its clientele’s expectations with the most innovative financial solutions. Derayah focuses on three major sectors: Brokerage (Local & Global), Asset Management (Capital Market, Private Equity & Real Estate) and Investment Consulting/Advisory.

Can you tell us about the Derayah Freestyle Saudi Equity Fund?  What are the most important features of the Derayah Freestyle Saudi Equity Fund?

Derayah Freestyle Saudi Equity Fund allows investor to take exposure to local equity market (in some cases limited exposure to regional equity markets). The fund has freestyle strategy which allows us to quickly shift our positions according to prevailing economic and market conditions. We use unique bottom-up approach backed by an on ground fundamental research by our in-house team. We emphasize more on investment process and policies as we strongly believe that good performance is a by-product of your investment process in a long Run.

How has it performed since inception?

The Fund was launched on 29-March-2016 and since then it has generated staggering c55% net returns to the investor. In is worth mentioning that during these c4 years, markets went through different volatile periods and have witnessed sharp decline due to certain events but our strong policies and conviction in our investment ideas have allowed us to generate top quartile performance.

What are some of the other innovative products and solutions you offer to help investors achieve their financial objectives?

Derayah is one of few Investment Houses where an investor can choose different investment instrument/Funds according to his Risk/Return appetite.

The following table can give you an idea that how we have designed different solutions from the low Risk to High Risk our profile.

Sr #	Products	Exp Return	Risk Profile
1	Morabha DPMs	2% – 2.5%	Low
2	Trade Finance Fund (SAR)	4% – 4.2%	Low-Mid
3	Trade Finance Fund (USD)	6% – 6.5%	Mid
4	Derayah REITs	6.8% 7.5%	Mid -High
5	Real Estate Investment Fund (III)	10% -12%	Mid -High
6	Public Equities (freestyle Fund & DPMs)	12% – 15%	High
7	Venture Capital Fund	20% – 25%	Very High

What advice would you give new investors?
The market competitive is increasing with time and I advise new investors to either enhance their study on market and underlying investments or invest in market through a Mutual Fund or Investment Professionals.

How do you ensure customers receive the best possible experience?

Derayah management is committed to provide more than just a conventional investment management services. Our Business development/Wealth management people will advise clients according to his needs and circumstances. Every client regardless of his asset size will experience the best service from our people. Derayah is investing a lot in technology which makes the whole process a lot faster and easier for clients.

What are your plans for the year ahead?

Derayah Plans to launch some new fund both in public & private categories. The goal is to provide the best possible investment solutions according to the prevailing economic and market condition. We are working on some innovative ideas and they shall be out in a market during 2nd Half of 2020.