Fund Managers

Asian institutional investors were generally more optimistic about post-pandemic economic recovery but only 33% were confident about achieving their short-term objectives.

The country's pension funds are lagging behind their Asian peers for sustainable returns, leading to calls for Beijing to let them invest in more alternative assets.

The city's booming asset management industry is boosted by rising interest from family offices, the Wealth Connect scheme and a growing retail investor base.

AsianInvestor considers how technology and data advances could affect investing. We next look at the potential for universal ESG and asset owners becoming tougher fee hagglers.

Thematic cryptocurrency and sustainable ETFs have drawn interest particularly in Asia, which was also the only region to register net inflows for Gold ETFs.

The most common strategy was ESG integration, with $24.6 trillion of AUM deployed, although negative screening and shareholder action were also popular.

The G7’s new infrastructure programme is unlikely to be any more successful than China’s Belt and Road Initiative in attracting private capital, experts say.

QIC expands global private debt team with three new hires; Sydney Airport bid by consortium fails; Dajia Insurance Group up for sale for $5.18 billion; China Baowu Steel Group to launch carbon-neutral fund; Indonesia's new wealth fund studying 50 companies for investment; NPS adds Kosdaq-listed blue chips; Macau's SSF's income and returns fall; and more.

Some short-term re-positioning may be needed, but as regulations become clearer, the valuation of Chinese stocks, especially in the tech sector, remains attractive, experts said.

Allocation to hedge funds is set to rise in the second half of the year, propelled by their strong performance in 2020 and the current macro environment.

The UK-headquartered fund manager has made the appointment as one of four ESG specialists who will operate a sustainability centre, based in Singapore.

Seven managers share how they are using ESG investment exposure and team hiring plans with AsianInvestor for better gain business from asset owners globally.

The Australian's Asic launches ESG fund review for greenwashing; Cbus hires from Apra; Hesta hires from AMP Life; Dai-ichi Life Insurance invests $50 million in climate infra fund; Korea's GEPS awards $105 million overseas infra mandates; Teachers' Pension calls for bids; QIA increases Credit Suisse stake; and more.

Investor focus is mounting after the creation of a JV between Warburg Pincus and Wensheng Asset Management. But investors need to weigh ESG factors, argue other managers.

AsianInvestor identifies five ways in which technology will force fund management to evolve. We begin with the likely impact on product distribution and flexibility.

Some correction can generally be expected, but dividend-yielding sectors such as financials and healthcare hold opportunities in the near future, experts say.

The most recent crackdown on the Chinese ride-hailing firm has investors speculating on who’s next. Experts say short-term pullback on US-based listings can be expected.

Samsung Group's insurance arms are looking to expand their capacities and hedge against inflation via overseas GPs in infrastructure and real estate investments.

The country's retirement funds, and especially CPPIB, are showing keen interest in the sector as they intensify their search for returns outside of North America.

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.