Spurious correlation explains ESG alpha, say experts
There is definite proof that sustainability-focused funds are outperforming their conventional counterparts. But some experts believe the traditional explanations for this are wrong.
Aussie super funds boost digital and comms infrastructure spend
As Covid restrictions continue to put the bite on travel, Australia's superannuation funds are seeing mileage in spending big on communications and digital infrastructure.
Weekly roundup of people news, June 11
Sunsuper and QSuper appoint CIO for combined entity; State Street appoints heads of HK and Taiwan; Nothern Trust rebuilds Apac team; Manulife IM names emerging markets fixed income CIO; RBC Wealth Management hires four into HK; Lombard Odier hires two senior equity managers; Allianz Global Investors appoints Asia hand as equity CIO; and more.
UOB Asset Management ups the ante on tech and ESG
The Singapore-based fund house continues to enhance its technology platforms to better serve investors, while putting its ESG commitment into stronger actions.
UOB Asset Management ups the ante on tech and ESG
The Singapore-based fund house continues to enhance its technology platforms to better serve investors, while putting its ESG commitment into stronger actions.
Investors undeterred by Biden’s ban on Chinese firms
Investors from China and the US are expected to continue buying assets in each other’s markets despite the blacklist of Chinese firms with military and surveillance ties.
450 investors urge stronger climate action from governments
Stronger government actions are needed to meet the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees, investors such as Hesta and CDPQ signed in a statement.
The best local fund houses in Asia, explained (part 2)
AsianInvestor explains why we chose the winners of the second half of our 2021 fund manager winners, by major local markets.
Japan, Korea asset owners say no to crypto but open to CBDC investment
Regional asset owners are still wary of volatile cryptocurrencies, but they say central bank-backed digital currencies could become investment friendly over the next five to 10 years.
The top Asian local fund houses in 2021, explained (part 1)
AsianInvestor reveals the reasons why we picked the first half of this year's most impressive local fund managers, across the region's leading investment markets.
Indonesia Hajj fund BPKH to return to direct investment in 2021
Indonesia Hajj Fund Management Agency (BPKH) says that pandemic woes hit direct investment in 2020, but the fund remains firm in its commitment to using it as a tool to drive ESG change
Partner Insights
Why ESG is not just a green bubble
ESG is no passing fad, as more investors are convinced that alpha can be found in ESG and regulators continue to introduce rules to lift ESG standards.
Taking a tactical approach to a new investment era
Investors across the Asia Pacific region are becoming more selective in their asset choices, with long-term capital growth, diversification and sustainability playing key roles in where, why and how they allocate in 2021, according to an exclusive survey by AsianInvestor and S&P Dow Jones Indices (S&P DJI).
China A-shares’ rising appeal after pandemic
The robust growth of China’s economy underpins the appeal of its local equity market, which is set to attract more foreign inflows this year.
Next Phase for the Bond Market: From Credit to Duration
Thanks to the current rise in yields, the key return driver of the bond market is set to change but its bull run will very likely continue.
Asset owners eye infrastructure to fill yield gap
Across Asia Pacific, investment appetite among insurers, pension funds and other institutions bodes well for unlisted infrastructure – especially sustainable assets in Asia, within mandates managed by professionals with experience, finds the latest survey by AsianInvestor and QIC.
Beyond Profit: How effective sustainability measurement will take Asian bond portfolios to the next level
Despite its strong growth in the past year, the long-term success of sustainable bonds in Asia relies on greater disclosure and a clear, data-driven investment process to assess and measure the impact of proceeds, according to Angus Hui, head of Asian and emerging market credit, Asian fixed income at Schroders. In this Beyond Profit series, Schroders explores sustainability in various investment aspects.
Three trends driving the future of investment processes
BNY Mellon’s new report looks at key drivers shaping the investment industry that buy-side leaders should not miss.
European listed real estate offers opportunities
Studies show that when comparing the long-term returns of listed and unlisted real estate vehicles based on the same underlying assets, the listed sector is an effective proxy for direct property investment. However, listed real estate (LRE) has the benefit of higher transparency, diversification, unmatched liquidity and a lower hurdle to global access compared to direct property.
The unique challenges of modeling equity risk in China
Regulatory reform in China in 2020 further opened the country’s markets to overseas institutional investors. The removal of Qualified Foreign Institutional Investor (QFII) and RMB Qualified Foreign Institutional Investor (RQFII) investment quotas, and the lifting of overseas ownership limits in the mutual fund sector have attracted foreign asset managers to set up wholly foreign-owned enterprises (WFOEs) and apply for onshore mutual fund licenses.
In-depth
Investors undeterred by Biden’s ban on Chinese firms
Investors from China and the US are expected to continue buying assets in each other’s markets despite the blacklist of Chinese firms with military and surveillance ties.
ETFs set to grow in Greater China as regulators ease access
Greater China investors plan to increase exposure to exchange-traded funds, a new report finds, as HKEX waives fixed-income ETF fees and lists first ETF cross-listing with Shanghai.
Omers eyes digital telecoms and renewable energy in Apac
The Canadian pension fund aims to more than double its regional infrastructure investments by 2026, particularly in renewables, data centres, fibre networks and satellites.
Korean life insurers on the hunt for overseas private debt deals
The country's lifers are seeking high-quality overseas assets to strike a balance between risk and return. However, new capital rules from 2023 are making these choices harder.
Magazine
Events
Apr 13, 2021
14th Institutional Investment Week Korea
Taking place every morning between 21 Jun and 25 Jun, the 14th Institutional Investment Week Korea will show how Korean investors should rebalance their portfolios, build resilience within their investment strategies.
Webinar
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Jun 1, 2021
ESG: the New Pillar of Asset Allocation
The key stakeholders in the investment ecosystem undoubtedly paid significant attention to ESG last year during the Covid-19 pandemic, while regulators across the globe continue to urge asset owners and asset managers to factor sustainability issues into their investments. Most professional investors are now clarifying their motives and strategies for implementing ESG, even though these are not simple black-and-white decisions in many cases. On the organisation level, increasing numbers of institutions and wealth managers are striving to contribute to a better world – or at least trying to align their asset management with their values in sustainable development. Financially, many are also looking to become better investors by integrating ESG into their investment process.
During the virtual event, we are going to discuss:
- Why are asset owners pivoting towards ESG?
- How can ESG help to build more robust portfolios and improve return?
- In what ways are asset owners integrating ESG into their investment processes?
- What are the challenges ahead? How are investors overcoming them?
Our speakers:
- Fabrice Chemouny, Head of Asia Pacific, Natixis Investment Managers
- Maxime Druais, Project Manager of the environmental transition, BPCE Group
- Adeline Tan, Wealth Business Leader, Mercer
- Srikanya Yathip, Secretary general, Government Pension Fund (GPF), Thailand
- Stephanie Weston, Head of Portfolio Design, Hesta Super Fund
- Koji Watanabe, CMA, General Manager Equity Investment Department, Asahi Mutual Life Insurance Co.
- Takeshi Kimura, Special Adviser to the Board, Nippon Life Insurance Company
- Claire Martinetto, Head of Natixis Investment Managers Solutions, Natixis Investment Managers
- Estelle Castres, Global Head & Key Insurance Clients, Natixis Investment Managers
- Iain Bell, Events Director, AsianInvestor
You’re cordially invited to join Natixis Investment Managers and AsianInvestor’s digital conference that shares ESG benefits in asset allocation.
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Most Read
The Asia property assets APG is buying amid Covid
The Dutch pension asset manager's Asia Pacific head of real estate says his team has just had one of its busiest years ever and that 2021 is looking similarly promising.
Weekly roundup of people news, June 4
Harvest Global Investments' Asia equities head leaves; Schroders losing multi-asset deputy head to rival; Northern Trust names head of Apac; Singapore's Central Provident Fund names new chair; Amundi appoints Hong Kong CEO; MAS renews Ravi Menon as managing director; NZ Super makes general manager promotion; and more.
Omers eyes digital telecoms and renewable energy in Apac
The Canadian pension fund aims to more than double its regional infrastructure investments by 2026, particularly in renewables, data centres, fibre networks and satellites.
Investor executives bemoan inconsistent ESG standards
The investment industry lacks coherent sustainability standards, which makes applying them harder, said officials at asset owners and fund houses from Japan, Malaysia and Korea.
US pensions wary of China focus, despite enthusiasm for Asia
Some pensions from the country have indirectly invested into China via pan-Asia funds, while a few European pension investors have sold Chinese stocks over ESG concerns.
Singapore's MAS commits $1.8bn to climate portfolio
Five asset managers get mandates from the Monetary Authority of Singapore that will see them setting up sustainability-focused operations in the city-state.
Why ESG is not just a green bubble
ESG is no passing fad, as more investors are convinced that alpha can be found in ESG and regulators continue to introduce rules to lift ESG standards.
Korean life insurers on the hunt for overseas private debt deals
The country's lifers are seeking high-quality overseas assets to strike a balance between risk and return. However, new capital rules from 2023 are making these choices harder.
China A-shares’ rising appeal after pandemic
The robust growth of China’s economy underpins the appeal of its local equity market, which is set to attract more foreign inflows this year.
Indonesia Hajj fund BPKH to return to direct investment in 2021
Indonesia Hajj Fund Management Agency (BPKH) says that pandemic woes hit direct investment in 2020, but the fund remains firm in its commitment to using it as a tool to drive ESG change