SBI's Goldman Sachs Bond Fund Files Amid BOJ Rate Hike Expectations

Ripple partner SBI Group has filed an application to launch a new investment vehicle that blends a robo-advisory approach with corporate bonds backed by Goldman Sachs. The fund, called Goldman Sachs Corporate Bonds / ROBOPRO Strategic Fund 2026-10 and nicknamed 'Robot Plus 4', will have two main components: a non-volatile segment targeting yen-denominated bonds secured by Goldman Sachs' corporate bonds, and an aggressive investing segment using the ROBOPRO Strategic V5 strategy.

The fund's term is estimated to be about six years, with the aim of maintaining principal through maturity. The annual trust fee (with tax) will be 0.693%. The application period for the fund is from October 1 to October 28, with a tentative launch date of October 29.

The SBI Group's new fund comes as the Bank of Japan prepares to make its next policy decision on September 18, which is expected to see the central bank raise its policy rate to 1.25%, its highest level in about 31 years since April 1995.