Asset Owners

More than Rmb1 trillion of special-purpose bonds could hit the onshore market by October-end and offer a premium over the Chinese risk-free rate. But buyers beware.

Timberland remains appealing after a strong performance last financial year but the sovereign wealth fund is wary of global trade tensions, its chief economist said in an interview.

A missed payment on a Rmb500 million local government debt spooks investors. Now they're waiting anxiously to see what happens next.

Could Britain’s young but fast-growing National Employment Savings Trust be a useful model for defined-contribution schemes in Asia? The fund's deputy CIO spoke about how it invests.

MSCI’s A-share inclusion will institutionalise and internationalise China's local share market. Global asset owners must work out how best to invest. Some are doing so internally.

Double-digit growth in 2017 for regional insurers outside of Japan, but market volatility and rising interest rates pose challenges.

Canada Pension Plan Investment Board's head of Asia Pacific, Suyi Kim, explains why she believes India is an attractive destination for infrastructure investments in the region.

Queensland Investment Corporation aims to use Bond Connect; Japan's Dai-Ichi Life buys Suncorp's insurance arm; National Pension Service of Korea set to buy Goldman Sachs' Europe headquarters and more.

Speculation is rife that Chinese insurer Ping An is eyeing the Asian division of British peer Prudential, but other outcomes are being mooted. What would this mean for each firm?

Amid the industry-wide criticisms being levelled at the Australian superannuation industry are claims that both funds and super players need to merge together. It won't be easy.

The US insurer's Asia operations intend to respond to a prolonged rising interest rate environment by investing more into commercial mortgages and private debt.

The failings of Australia's superannuation industry, which were revealed in a detailed recent report, underline the benefits of keeping pension systems simple and transparent.

Insurance companies in China are struggling to find long-term assets to match their liabilities. A senior official at a self-regulatory body has proposed some potential solutions.

Superannuation funds dominate Australia's rankings in the survey, but their fee activities are being investigated, and rising interest rates are forcing them to shift their assets.

Global fund houses have been expanding their coverage of Asia's fast-growing insurance segment, but may find smaller firms more fertile ground than the bigger players.

The $18 billion National Development Fund is eyeing innovative start-ups, but it is more focused on supporting the firms than ensuring returns or practicing responsible investing.

Japan plans a sovereign wealth fund; Malaysia’s head of EPF shifts to Khazanah; Korea’s NPA signs stewardship code; Korea Post Insurance offers multi-asset tactical mandate; Philippines and Vietnam face need for more pension payments, and more.

Last week the Swiss firm halted dealing in its absolute return bond funds after suspending the products’ lead manager, in a move that has sparked concern about such strategies.

Japan was the only country to see an AUM drop, courtesy of a falling currency. Its investors are focused on raising alternatives to compensate for weak fixed income returns.

Four pension funds fed on a booming local stock market to lock in large investment returns in 2017. But market volatility and trade concerns looks set to slow growth this year.