Fund sales in Asia suffer amid uncertainty, trade frictions
A new report by Broadridge shows a sharp slowdown in fund sales in the second quarter as investors consider their next move more carefully.
Fund Managers
Chinese fund firms get shot at pension promised land
Domestic asset managers have high hopes as the third pillar of China’s pension system is opened up to them. Educational challenges lie ahead though.
Market Views: Is copper signalling a sell-off in risk assets?
Copper prices have fallen sharply of late as growing trade friction and slowing China growth have dragged on demand. Is it a sign of more trouble to come? We asked five experts.
BlackRock, HSBC lead push for Asia insurance 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.
Gam woes put spotlight on unconstrained bond funds
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.
Financial group fund units could lead regional M&A
Further fund manager consolidation could focus on asset management arms of life insurers that have been affected by new risk based capital rules.
Why more M&As are likely in Asia’s fund industry
A combination of factors are squeezing the margins of asset managers, and leading more to consider mergers to cut costs and attract more investors.
Market Views: What are Asia’s best safe haven assets?
Volatile markets, tightening monetary policies, and trade frictions have heightened market fears. We asked four experts to name the top regional safe haven assets.
Vanguard Singapore: A casualty of high-fee fund selling
A lack of scale in Singapore and the problems of trying to sell funds with no distribution costs or adviser commissions are seen as key reasons for Vanguard closing the office.
Prudential beats Amundi in Thai asset manager auction
Banks in Southeast Asia are selling their asset management arms as risk management costs rise and clients seek more adventurous products, drawing interest from Western insurers.
T. Rowe Price raids rivals for Asia buildout
The $1 trillion US fund house is fast adding staff in Hong Kong across investment and sales, as other asset managers consolidate or retrench in the region.
Market Views: Is it time to reduce China exposure?
China is facing growing trade and economic headwinds. We asked four market observers whether, given these heightened risks, it is time to reduce exposure to Chinese investments.
Alexa Lam hiring “coup” to boost fund lobby in Asia
The former deputy head of Hong Kong’s securities regulator will join ICI, in a move tipped to increase the investment industry trade group's influence in the region.
China eases AM rules as trade war fears grow
To support growth as default risks rise and economic uncertainties intensify, China will now allow mutual funds to invest in non-standard debt, three months after it said they couldn't.
HK SFC asset management survey hints at crash fears
Hong Kong continues to expand as an investment management centre, shows data from its markets regulator. But the annual survey also suggests investor caution is rising.
China fund houses set to go global: JP Morgan’s Falcon
Domestic asset managers are increasingly sophisticated and could become global players within 20 years, said the Asia chief executive of JP Morgan Asset Management.
HSBC AM taps Axa IM for Asia insurance lead
The new appointment to the UK fund house's financial institutions group will focus on the $7 trillion Asia-Pacific insurance segment.
Will technology make funds passporting redundant?
Digital distribution platforms could offer alternatives to fund passporting in Asia, but they may struggle in the face of regulatory scrutiny, say some experts.
China ESG proposals to help instos assess managers
Industry participants welcome planned guidelines from the Asset Management Association of China that aim to drive adoption of environment, social and governance principles.
Are investors losing patience with fund passports?
Asian funds passporting schemes have struggled to attract interest from fund managers for a variety of reasons, ranging from taxation to fund distribution challenges.
