EOSB Fund Performance | GO SAVER | 31 AUG 2025
Two official EOSB savings plans now operate in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) — DEWS and GO SAVER. While DEWS held the stage on its own for the first five years and is now set to cross the billion-dollar mark, let’s see how newcomer GO SAVER (not even a year old) is making its case. Here’s how it performed in August.
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Generali Capital Protected Fund
Starting with GO SAVER’s default option – the Generali Capital Protected Fund – please note that this is an insurance-based investment vehicle that typically reports performance on an annual basis. (Please see our earlier article that explains the structure of this particular fund).
That said, we were informed that GO SAVER is working to share performance data more regularly going forward. We hope to receive the information soon – please stay tuned!
The Indian-Equity Funds
A distinctive feature of the GO SAVER Plan is its range of India-focused equity funds. We’ve highlighted this before as a welcome addition. That said, the Indian Rupee has struggled this year, and when measured in US dollars, market returns have been underwhelming. In August, the Indian funds delivered the following results:
- UTI India Dynamic Equity: -0.6% in August, and -1.9% Year to date (YTD)
- Goldman Sachs India Equity Portfolio: -2.2% in August, and -6.7% YTD
- Kotak Funds India Midcap: -2.4% in August, and -5.5% YTD
However, as we’ve often noted, EOSB funds should always be viewed with a long-term lens. With employees typically spending around seven years in a role, a 5–10 year investment horizon is more appropriate. Markets have been highly volatile this year, which is why we caution against hasty decisions. And remember, a market dip also creates opportunities: lower prices can offer attractive entry points for those confident about a rebound.
Fixed Income Funds
The GO SAVER funds that are invested in bonds have continued their solid and steady upwards trend, for example:
- PIMCO GIS GLB Inv Grade: +1.0% in August, and +4.8% YTD
- Schroder ISD Global Corporate Bonds +0.7% in August, and +4.5% YTD
- Franklin High Yield Fund: +1.2% in August, and +6.2% YTD
- Mashreq Al Islami Sukuk Fund: +1.1% in August, and +4.9% YTD
Franklin Templeton’s Diversified Funds
Funds with a mix of bonds and equities, largely treaded water in August. The Franklin Diversified series, posted only marginal moves in August – the Conservative Fund gained +0.1%, while the Balanced and Dynamic Funds slipped -0.1%.
That said, it’s worth noting that all fixed income and balanced funds are in positive territory YTD, with returns varying depending on the mix of underlying assets.
Equity-based funds
Finally, the two equity-based funds under GO SAVER (apart from the Indian funds already covered above) have both delivered strong gains in August.
- US-based Natixis Loomis Sayles US Equity Fund: +0.9% in August, and +9.4% YTD
- Shariah-compliant HSBC Islamic Global Equity Index Fund: +2.0% in August, and +9.0% YTD
Closing thoughts
In summary, August was a moderately successful month for most GO SAVER funds, with the exception of the India-focused options. Equity funds led the performance tables, though, as always, they carry higher volatility.
With two-thirds of 2025 behind us, the final four months will be telling – we’ll be watching closely to see how the funds perform.
Coming soon
How to transfer between DEWS and GO SAVER? What are the options and implications for companies and employees? We’ll cover the details in the coming weeks. Don’t miss out! Sign up to our free newsletter and stay tuned!
If you found this article useful, or have questions or comments, do write to us: info@pensionsmonitor.com.
Disclosure Statement Issued in accordance with the UAE Securities and Commodities Authority’s Finfluencer Regulation. Article: EOSB Fund Performance | GO SAVER | 31 Aug 2025 Author: Nisha Braganza Capacity: Natural person SCA Finfluencer Registration: 012 Data sources: Morningstar, Financial Times UK and factsheets, cited in the Article Data date: 31 Aug 2025 Price time reference: NAVs used reflect end-of-day pricing as of “Data date” Publication date: 21 Sep 2025 Target audience: Employers/employees tracking EOSB Savings Schemes in the UAE Validity: 30-day period from "Data date", unless updated Nature of content The Article contains a dashboard (factual data and performance data) and accompanying commentary. Factual data includes Net Asset Value (NAV) per share, fund size, share class size, asset allocation, charges, top holdings, and ratings. These are sourced from “Data sources” and has not been modified. Performance data is calculated using a proprietary time-weighted return model, based on daily NAV movements. The model does not involve forward-looking assumptions or forecasts. Commentary is the author’s opinions and interpretations of the data and does not constitute financial advice or a recommendation to buy, sell, or invest in any fund. Comparisons between funds are based on publicly available information. These do not represent endorsements and have been drafted impartially, without bias or exaggeration. Limitations While reasonable care has been taken to ensure objectivity, balance, and clarity, the Author has relied on “Data sources” without independent verification. Accordingly, the Author does not accept responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of “Data sources”. Past performance is not indicative of future results and commentary does not represent expected outcomes. Previous Articles on the subject are available on www.pensionsmonitor.com. Conflicts of interest The Author has not received any compensation from the respective fund issuers, nor holds investments in any of the funds mentioned. No party involved in this publication has a commercial relationship with the respective fund issuers or EOSB Scheme managers. Investment advice disclaimer Investors are advised to consult with a financial advisor licensed by the UAE Securities and Commodities Authority or other relevant authority, before making investment decisions.
