Tag: japan

The Tokyo Stock Exchange's new Arrowhead platform is allowing much faster and cheaper trading and thus enticing more hedge funds into the market. The US real-estate investment firm has until now been involved only in relatively developed Asian markets, but it sees opportunities arising in countries such as India. After falling since June, ITG's liquidity indicator for the region rose in December, helped by growing trading volumes and a drop in trading costs. Banco Santander appoints Alexander de Laiglesia to run asset management in Asia from Hong Kong. Investors view Japanese equities as the most undervalued in the world, according to Bank of America Merrill Lynch's January fund manager survey. Review/outlook series: Robeco's Asia chief investment officer, Arnout van Rijn, is positive on the energy and IT sectors, and China. Sumitomo Trust & Banking stakes growth in a mature pensions market on structuring fund products around its prop-desk activity. The Instinct Japan Opportunity Fund will employ an event-driven strategy. The US asset manager has plans to hire at least 50 people across Asia next year, with the biggest headcount growth likely in China. The asset manager is ramping up in Asia and considering launching an emerging-market convertible bond fund, says Bruno Vanier, chief investment officer for equities. Simplex Asset Management says its new product, referencing the Dow Jones Industrial Average, is likely to attract mainly individual investors. The Japanese giant finds a way outside of Japan to combine its prop-desk activities in a fund structure for institutional clients. Stimulus programmes in China, Japan and the US have helped the world navigate out of financial ruin. But how to stop spending? The trust bank now ranks as the third-largest manager of Japanese pension money, behind Sumitomo and Barclays Global Investors. Frank Khoo, Asia head at Axa Real Estate Investment Management, outlines the regional strategy behind tie-ups with Ping An Group and Sumitomo. Singapore ranks highest in Asia in a judging of global pension systems and their ability to support ageing populations, according to consultants Mercer. Aviva’s Asian real estate arm sees the best immediate risk-adjusted opportunities in Japan and Australia, but likes China over the longer term. John Moore moves to Tokyo as the new head of Russell Investments’ Asian transition management business. The SMBC Nikko New World bond and equity funds replicate a structure created by Nomura and are sub-advised by Goldman Sachs Asset Management and Edmond de Rothschild. Mitsubishi UFJ's electronic trading network installs Fidessa’s system to attract institutional investors.