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Business Moves
AsianInvestor's weekly roundup of job-hoppers: Feb 3
MSCI unveils new Japan head from GSAM, Chi-X Australia poaches from ASX, Prupim hires global CEO, Viteos opens Asia HQ, Newedge names Asia-Pac admin officer, Global Sage forms ...
By The Editors | 3 February 2012
Business Moves
Paris-based Comgest embarks on Asia build-out
The international asset manager has hired its first head of business development for the region, Robert James, formerly of First State. He aims to tap Asian institutional ...
By Leigh Powell | 3 February 2012
Markets
EM debt can go mainstream, says Jim O’Neill
The chairman of Goldman Sachs Asset Management and creator of the Bric theme, Jim O’Neill, discusses changing investors' mindset regarding safe-haven assets and accessing ...
By Jame DiBiasio | 3 February 2012
Alternatives
Saban sets up Hong Kong office for Asian media deals
The US private investment firm seeks to ramp up investments in Asia's media and entertainment industries.
By Yvonne Chan | 3 February 2012
Business Moves
China’s first JV fund house eyes Hong Kong rollout
China Merchants Fund aims to build a Hong Kong business organically or via acquisition in a drive to expand its international business, which makes up just 1% of assets overall.
By Leanne Wang | 3 February 2012
Magazine Highlights
AsianInvestor magazine's February edition now online
We examine rising optimism among Indian fund managers, differentiation difficulties for RQFII products, and the changing prospects for Hong Kong's Mandatory Provident Fund.
By The Editors | 3 February 2012
Distribution
Funds selection chief exits Standard Chartered
The bank's Singapore-based head of funds research is set to leave, and recruiters suspect we are poised for a round of cuts in a tough market for product-focused staff at firms ...
By Joe Marsh | 2 February 2012
Outlooks
WEBCAST: Robeco Asia-Pac CIO explains regional view
Arnout van Rijn joins AsianInvestor for a discussion on Asia-Pacific equities and currencies and, in the process, identifies individual stocks with appeal.
By Leigh Powell | 2 February 2012
Asset Owners
Taiwan’s LPF issues first equity mandates of 2012
The Labour Pension Fund is inviting managers to bid for six four-year mandates totalling $1 billion to invest at least 70% in domestic stocks. Applications close on February 20.
By Leanne Wang | 2 February 2012
Markets
Motilal setting out to define India’s ETF market
The firm’s funds arm has three ETFs and is eager to pioneer new products as it bets that passive funds will ultimately gain far greater traction in the industry in India.
By Leigh Powell | 2 February 2012
Alternatives
Offshore law firm Mourant Ozannes opens in Asia
The firm has committed substantial resources to its new office in Hong Kong, which will focus on servicing investment fund clients, among others.
By Joe Marsh | 1 February 2012
Business Moves
Duo launch RQFII funds, target second batch of quotas
HFT Investment Management and GF Asset Management are selling fixed income funds with an equity facility, but may look to other asset classes including ETFs in the next quotas.
By Leanne Wang | 1 February 2012
Asset Owners
Pension AUMs hit global high, but balance sheets weaken
Institutional assets have nearly doubled in a decade to $28 trillion, even as the ratio of assets to liabilities has fallen except in Australia and Hong Kong, finds Towers Watson.
By Leigh Powell | 1 February 2012
Distribution
Samsung cuts in Hong Kong, focuses on Korean HNWs
Samsung Securities’ new CEO, Kim Suk, the previous head of its asset management business, says the firm is seeking to add global investment products to its roster.
By Jame DiBiasio | 31 January 2012
Business Moves
GFIA move may be first step to full-scale strategic tie-up
The firm has signed a collaboration with London-based consultancy Laven Partners to provide hedge fund due diligence and compliance, but it could become a permanent fixture.
By Leigh Powell | 31 January 2012
Markets
Harvest prioritises retail sale for RQFII fixed income fund
Hong Kong-based Harvest Global Investments is looking to use RQFII to broaden its brand penetration among retail investors in Hong Kong and overseas.
By Leigh Powell | 31 January 2012
Alternatives
Symphony tunes into Japan bargains, Asian volatility
The Tokyo-based hedge fund sees 2012 as a favourable year for investments in undervalued Japanese companies, and also for raising capital.
By Yvonne Chan | 31 January 2012
Commentary
Failing pension systems undermine Asia’s macro story
The high-growth, low-debt headlines for Asian countries can’t sustain the coming strains on inadequate pension systems.
By Jame DiBiasio | 31 January 2012
Alternatives
Apex Capital in US shutters two Asia-focused hedge funds
The closures are made by Apex New York, which parted ways with its Hong Kong operation and co-founders nearly two years ago.
By Yvonne Chan | 30 January 2012
Distribution
Distributors criticise Asian managers for communication failure
They say fund sales will be boosted if they are equipped with better product knowledge and more timely information.
By Leigh Powell | 30 January 2012
Markets
Mirae Asset continues ETF push with latest launch
The South Korean fund manager is targeting institutional investors in particular with its new range of Asian sector-focused exchange-traded funds in Hong Kong.
By Joe Marsh | 30 January 2012
People Moves
AsianInvestor's weekly roundup of job-hoppers: Jan 27
Harvest Global Investments poaches a fixed income head from Barings, LaSalle names a global capital markets chief, and Robert Walters opens offices in Taiwan and China.
By Leigh Powell | 27 January 2012
Alternatives
Ascalon planting seed capital into Asian hedge funds
Australian alternatives seeder Ascalon has invested in two Asian hedge funds, with more allocations to come.
By Yvonne Chan | 27 January 2012
Markets
Malaysia’s private pension administrator seeks CEO, COO
The new hires will oversee the administrative arm of the country’s forthcoming voluntary private retirement scheme.
By Joe Marsh | 27 January 2012
Markets
Will high trailer fees render RQFII business profitless?
Chinese fund management and securities firms say banks are charging up to 70% in trailer fees to distribute RQFII products, raising fears that little will be left after expenses.
By Leanne Wang | 27 January 2012
Asset Owners
Bank of Korea holding out for QFII quota
The central bank is hoping to invest in Chinese securities as early as the first half of this year after becoming the first of three Korean government entities to receive a ...
By Dr Insup Lee | 27 January 2012
Business Moves
Former Janus executive to lead Pioneer's Asia build-out
Jack Lin is the new head of Asia and the Middle East for Pioneer Investments, a unit of UniCredit. He says he will focus on increasing institutional business in the region.
By Leigh Powell | 26 January 2012
Markets
Mutual fund winners and losers in 2011
Bond funds dominated investment performance last year, while equity funds were worst hit, particularly for India. BNP Paribas boasted the top fund of 2011, while CCB had the ...
By Leigh Powell | 26 January 2012
Markets
Malaysian regulator explains proposed pension system
Managers can now apply for licences to provide products under Malaysia’s proposed private retirement scheme. The Securities Commission answers AsianInvestor's questions ...
By Joe Marsh | 26 January 2012
People Moves
AsianInvestor’s weekly roundup of job-hoppers, Jan 20
Janus Capital brings in a sales director for Asia ex-Japan, DBS Private Bank finds a new North Asia head, and Grosvenor Fund Management hires from Morgan Stanley.
By The Editors | 20 January 2012
Asset Owners
Leckie urges China to set up a pensions regulator
The chairman of Stirling Finance, Stuart Leckie, says China’s social security ministry should offload some responsibilities, adding officials need more training.
By Leanne Wang | 20 January 2012
Commentary
Best of the bunny
Editor Jame DiBiasio picks his favourite AsianInvestor online stories from the Year of the Rabbit.
By The Editors | 20 January 2012
Alternatives
CEC eyes new fund for China private equity deals
The Hong Kong-based private equity firm tentatively plans to raise up to $300 million for its third mainland-focused fund.
By Yvonne Chan | 20 January 2012
Alternatives
Samsung real-estate arm seeks foreign partners
Samsung Asset Management wants to expand its real-estate investment portfolio to the US and UK in tandem with partners on the ground.
By Jame DiBiasio | 20 January 2012
Conference Highlights
Photos: 3rd Annual RMB Rising conference
AsianInvestor and FinanceAsia hosted our third forum in Hong Kong on the internationalisation of the renminbi. Here we present a gallery of photos from the event.
By The Editors | 19 January 2012
Markets
Fidelity's Bolton admits bad China bets, but stays bullish
The star fund manager, whose China Special Situations Fund is down 29% since inception, has been hurt by accounting scandals in small caps, but resolutely keeps the portfolio ...
By Leanne Wang | 19 January 2012
Alternatives
Prudential Corp Asia building global property portfolio
The UK insurer's Asian asset allocation team is eyeing European and US real estate for the first time and tentatively looking at boosting its alternatives exposure outside ...
By Joe Marsh | 19 January 2012
Asset Owners
Korea’s military pension fund names new CIO
The $7.2 billion fund hires Seok-Hwan Park, who has worked for Barclays Global Investors in Hong Kong, to run asset management and investments after his predecessor resigned.
By Dr Insup Lee | 19 January 2012
Markets
China smashes previous high for QFII approvals
The CSRC awards licences to 14 long-only institutions including two central banks, two sovereign wealth funds and two pension funds. A rise in quotas is forecast.
By Leanne Wang | 18 January 2012
Alternatives
Doors open to Asia consultation: European Commission
Tilman Lueder, head of asset management at the commission’s directorate for financial services, sees a need to consult Asian regulators over Ucits rules as these tighten ...
By Jame DiBiasio | 18 January 2012
Asset Owners
NPS to insource more international equities
Korea’s $311 billion National Pension Service will expand its manager outsourcing programmes in other asset classes.
By Jame DiBiasio | 18 January 2012
Alternatives
Allure of catastrophe bonds rising for Asian investors
These investments are largely uncorrelated to other markets and offer decent returns even in crises, says John Seo of Fermat Capital Management, while fund liquidity is improving.
By Joe Marsh | 18 January 2012
Alternatives
Millennium Managers eyes Korea onshore business
As South Korea prepares for its first generation of onshore hedge funds, a number of global firms are understood to be preparing to apply for licences.
By Dr Insup Lee | 17 January 2012
Alternatives
Sparx group loses another top executive
Masaki Taniguchi’s departure as chief operating officer of Sparx Asset Management follows Kam Bahra's exit as chief executive officer of Sparx’s Hong Kong unit.
By Yvonne Chan | 17 January 2012
Markets
RQFII scheme to be expanded in overseas investment drive
Yao Gang, vice-chairman of China's securities regulator, reveals that the offshore scheme will be accelerated, with predictions that new quotas could be issued within six months.
By Leanne Wang | 17 January 2012
Business Moves
Carlo Venes joins Dimensional, plans Asia push
US-based Dimensional Fund Advisors has hired ex-Fidelity salesman Carlo Venes and intends to open offices in Asia ex-Japan and Tokyo.
By Jame DiBiasio | 16 January 2012
Asset Owners
KIC’s next CIO likely to be a Korean
Scott Kalb caps his three-year term at Korea Investment Corporation with a $200 million China QFII quota. He can expect to win a good role in Asia if he wants to stay in the ...
By Jame DiBiasio | 16 January 2012
Conference Highlights
RQFII funds are a stepping stone towards yuan convertibility
RQFII funds will give offshore yuan depositors better yields than their bank accounts and are a step towards convertibility of the currency, say panellists at our RMB Rising event.
By Yvonne Chan | 16 January 2012
People Moves
BBVA pares Asia equity sales and structuring team
The Spanish bank’s equities unit has taken a substantial hit in headcount – including salespeople and structurers – as part of a cut in global markets staff ...
By Joe Marsh | 16 January 2012
People Moves
AsianInvestor's weekly roundup of job-hoppers, Jan 13
Prudential Hong Kong appoints chief agency officer, Fidelity names chief rep in Beijing, Threadneedle unveils governance head, and ETF expert Deborah Fuhr gets left in the cold.
By The Editors | 13 January 2012
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What will be your favoured currency in Year of the Dragon?
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US dollar
  30%
 
Japanese yen
  3%
 
Aussie dollar
  12%
 
Singapore dollar
  21%
 
Chinese renminbi
  22%
 
None of the above; gold
  12%
TOTAL VOTES: 166

 
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February, 2012