Maya Funaki, a Hong Kong-based portfolio manager at RBC Blue Bay Asset Management, is leaving the firm, according to a spokesperson for the investment arm of Royal Bank of Canada.

Funaki, who managed about ¥1 trillion ($6.5 billion) in Japanese stocks and ¥700 billion in Asia ex-Japan equities, correctly predicted the slowdown in the AI rally in June.

A spokesperson for RBC Blue Bay confirmed the departure but declined to provide further details. Funaki joined the firm in 2019 and was known for her bullish stance on Japanese equities, particularly during the pandemic-driven recovery period.

Her departure comes at a time of increased volatility in Asian markets, with investors closely watching central bank policy shifts and geopolitical developments. RBC Blue Bay manages approximately $70 billion in assets globally, with a significant focus on fixed income and equity strategies across Asia.