More active ownership, ESG mandates expected from asset owners
ESG has increasingly been ingrained into asset owners' investment policies, including the external fund managers they hire, according to institutional investor executives.
Event Highlights
Samsung insurers look abroad for GPs, blind pool funds
Samsung Group's insurance arms are looking to expand their capacities and hedge against inflation via overseas GPs in infrastructure and real estate investments.
KIC to lean towards value stocks in the second half
The Korean sovereign wealth fund cut growth stocks in the technology, media and telecom sector in favour of bluechips, and is looking to Europe as the US-China spat deepens.
Sun Life favours infrastructure, real estate debt under new RBC regime
The life insurer wants to increase its investments in the private debt, credit, and derivatives markets as it strives to manage its liabilities better.
Korean asset owners turn to blind pools for real estate investing
Uncertainty from Covid-19 and due diligence challenges have prompted real estate investors to favour blind pools over large-scale projects.
KIC to cast eyes onto infrastructure, e-commerce, biotech
With assets under management reaching $195.7 billion at the end of May, the Korean sovereign wealth fund is continuing to raise its game with alternative assets.
HKMA: Hong Kong a gateway for Chinese green bonds
Chief executive Eddie Yue highlights the urgency of providing greener banking system, and explains how Hong Kong could help Chinese green bonds issuers.
Why Cathay Financial and CPPIB choose ESG engagement
Senior executives at the Taiwan financial group and Canadian pension fund believe that companies have to make an ESG transition, and may not have a choice in a few years.
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.
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
Korea's Teachers’ Pension and the Philippines' SSS to expand offshore focus
Two asset owners - one from Korea and the other from the Philippines - describe how overseas and alternative assets are the best hedge against inflation and rate fears.
Yield and diversification key to private debt’s popularity
Regional investors look set to seek more investments in the asset class, especially from North America and Asia, say senior executives at asset owners and fund houses.
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.
Pension fund Cbus says inflation fears are (probably) overstated
Rising prices appear to be mostly transitory but could begin to pose broader concerns if they remain elevated for a long period, the asset owner believes.
NZ Super, Thailand's GPF to raise allocation to real assets
The largest pension fund in Thailand will focus on central business district areas for real estate, while New Zealand's sovereign wealth fund is planning to avoid competitive areas.
AIG’s deputy CIO warns of inflation-related volatility
Guillermo Donadini of the US insurer believes insurers will keep chasing alternative assets, with interest rates set to remain low as governments look to repay increased debt burdens.
AIA, Axa eye derivatives, alternatives ahead of new solvency regime
Senior executives at the two life insurers shared how they and peers should adapt their investment portfolios ahead of Hong Kong's new risk-based capital regime.
Top insurers inching down bond risk spectrum to meet liabilities
The Covid-19 pandemic has brought investing opportunities in credit markets amid turbulence, said CIOs from AIA, Prudential Asia and Ping An at an AsianInvestor event.
Korean insurers target direct lending in overseas markets
Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance and Fubon Hyundai Life said private credit strategies, and in particular private lending, are gaining appeal among their domestic peers.
DGB Life eyes private debt, private equity in alts push
The Korean life insurer is ramping up its alternative exposure and is looking beyond the domestic market to search for such opportunities.
