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Building on the results of a survey of over 250 COOs in 15 countries conducted at the end of last year, AsianInvestor spoke to COOs at leading firms about how their remit and priorities have changed following the pandemic – and whether that means broadening the scope in their involvement in initiatives such as change management and technology implementation.

The appetite for best-of-breed financial products around the world continues to grow, particularly among institutional investors. So it’s no surprise that fund managers continue to look to Europe from a distribution perspective. Once a fund manager has decided to distribute products to the European market, key decisions will need to be made.

A China equities allocation makes sense when considering global growth, consumerism, foreign investment and the potential for higher returns. As an institutional investor or investment professional, being exposed to China has traditionally been an ancillary outcome of a decision to own emerging market (EM) equities. However, we believe there are potential return and risk benefits from considering China as an independent allocation.

Beyond the pandemic and trade tensions, underlying developments in China may have transformative implications on companies in Asia and frame how investors look at Asian equities going forward, including up and coming small caps.

China’s domestic private equity (PE) market has grown rapidly in the past ten years offering a range of opportunities with tremendous growth potential. Yet without the right fund structure, international investors simply can’t access many of the most exciting deals. Jun Qian, Head of Investments China and General Manager for Schroder Adveq explains.

Today’s macro and market landscape has forced asset owners to adapt the way they manage portfolios. This is fostering new approaches and strategies in how they diversify, seek returns and assess external managers, revealed speakers in a webinar hosted by BNY Mellon Investment Management and AsianInvestor.

With a cautious sigh of relief, we are now moving into the final stages of 2020. Despite the challenges faced this year, the outlook for bond investors in Asia remains positive.

In the first half of 2020, far-reaching macro-economic and market repercussions in the wake of COVID-19 have had an inevitable dampening effect on global securities lending. A combination of unprecedented market turbulence and short-selling bans resulted in muted borrower appetite and, ultimately, led to slowing revenues.

Long considered a safe-haven in troubling times, gold can provide liquidity and protection in risk-off scenarios - especially during systemic events affecting multiple regions and industries. It also provides a cost-effective hedging function compared to other options. Yet investors often still have reservations when it comes to adding or increasing gold exposure in their portfolios.

Making ESG analysis more focused and core to all investment processes is essential to overcome shortfalls in data and transparency amid growing appetite for bonds that meet sustainability goals, according to a virtual roundtable hosted by Eastspring Investments and AsianInvestor.

Institutional investors still believe private asset investing comes with extra challenges, but that the diversification and return benefits make it worth their while. A recent Schroders survey identifies notable increases in interest for real estate debt, infrastructure equity and insurance-linked securities.

David Elms, Head of Diversified Alternatives at Janus Henderson Investors, says that 2020 presented a volatility opportunity for those who were ready for it. In the following Q&A, he shares some strategies for risk-adjusted returns over time - from truly diversified sources – and talks about the biggest risks he sees in the markets today.

Compared to global peers, Asia’s travel and tourism sector appears better positioned to weather the lingering challenges in a post-Covid world. Amid international travel restrictions, domestic tourism shows signs of recovery - while talk of regional travel bubbles brings hope to the industry. This is the final instalment in Eastspring’s Asian Expert Series, exploring the future of Asia post Covid-19.

Today’s ‘new normal’ will force investors into new habits around how they make decisions on strategic and tactical allocations, return targets and liquidity, finds an exclusive survey by AsianInvestor and BNY Mellon Investment Management.

Rising demand for ESG-themed funds has led to the development of indices with sustainability components.

Impact investing aims to identify businesses and organisations pursuing purpose-led activities serving the needs of the global economy and environment. A thematic approach to impact investing seeks to identify opportunities created by pressing issues that can be identified as megatrends – including climate change, access to water and pandemics.

Asian banks are in a stronger position now compared to the 2008 crisis; however, the longer it takes for economic recovery post Covid-19, the greater the likelihood of consolidation within the sector. Areas of concern include asset quality, profitability and the pace of digitisation. Operational and financial resilience will be the keys to success.

Tackling Asia’s ageing population demands post-retirement solutions that provide additional income. Schroders Portfolio Solutions Team says a robust solution depends on a framework to address differences in time horizon, certainty and level of income, and risks of outliving assets.

Asian US dollar bonds have not only withstood the worst of the Covid-19 volatility so far but have come out as attractive as ever – offering investors opportunities to pick value at various points of the yield curve.

This is the fourth of six articles in Eastspring’s Asian Expert Series, which explores the future of Asia post Covid-19. Robust logistics networks, a rising middle class, improving financial infrastructure and rapid innovation will fuel the region’s e-commerce revenues, which will in turn drive GDP growth, productivity and economic inclusion in Asia.