BLF invites bids for $1.4bn absolute-return portfolio
The state pension fund is inviting fund houses to bid for a broadly-defined domestic mandate that is targeting an initial investment return of just under 6%.
Taiwan
Cathay Life calls for lower equity risk charges
The Taiwanese insurer is among those pushing for a reduction in the capital charge for certain types of local stocks, despite concerns about the potential risks in some quarters.
Taiwan lifers’ foreign assets set to plateau under new rules
New rules on recognising Formosa bonds as part of Taiwanese insurers' overseas assets are expected to impact their offshore investment strategies.
Cathay Life lifts overseas exposure, bumps up yield
The Taiwanese life insurer raised its exposure to global bonds and equities, while maintaining low forex hedging costs -- a strategy that yielded higher portfolio returns from a year ago.
Taiwan quasi SWF puts state priorities before profits
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.
Taiwan’s BLF plans EM mandate of up to $2bn
The state pension fund’s deputy director general spoke to AsianInvestor about its plans for the equity portfolio, which is likely to be split between five sizeable asset managers.
Taiwan lifers facing possible Formosa bond cap
By including Formosa bonds as overseas investments, the island's financial regulator could put limits on life insurer buying in order to encourage more investment at home.
Taiwan lifers seen shifting sights to local market
That should please the local regulator, although more could be done to encourage Taiwanese insurers to invest more at home.
BLF seeks youthful appreciation with ESG embrace
The Bureau of Labor Funds is focused on adding environmental, social and governance factors into its overall portfolio to cater to a rising interest in these areas by younger people.
How BLF's leader is changing its investing identity
A year into his role as director general of the Bureau of Labor Funds, Tsay Feng-ching discusses how he is installing his philosophy to guide the pension fund's investing.
PineBridge leads in Taiwan with preferred securities fund
The fund’s AUM has reached $1 billion and offers the features and characteristics of both stocks and bonds.
Pimco seeking licence, staff for new Taiwan operation
The US asset manager aims to open an office as a master agent in Taiwan this year so it can distribute its own funds onshore, said Asia ex-Japan head Michael Thompson.
Cathay Life says its ESG drive is the real thing
ESG initiatives in Asia often tend to be a lot of hot air but at Taiwan's Cathay Life it is at the heart of the investment decision-making process, its CIO tells AsianInvestor.
Top 20 pension execs: Hisashi Hatta, Liu Li-ju
We are identifying 20 outstanding executives who are driving the region's pension funds forward. Today, we feature leaders from Japan's Aisin Employees' Pension Fund and Taiwan's BLF.
Taiwan’s BLF plans first-ever domestic ESG mandate
The $124 billion state retirement fund is giving out an ESG mandate that tracks a sustainability index that is newly launched in Taiwan.
BLF mulls external Europe and Japan equity mandates
The $124 billion Taiwanese state pension fund plans to ramp up its exposures in Europe and Japan on the back of a set of encouraging signs of reform in both regions.
Leadership recast looms at North Asian central banks
Central bank heads could be replaced in China, Taiwan, Korea, and Japan in the coming three months. Whether the incumbents stay or not, all four face important policy challenges.
Criticism of local wealth managers grows louder in Taiwan
Wealth managers at the island's banks are facing increasing criticism over their habit of “churning” clients into new funds. It is fragmenting the industry's overall asset base.
Taiwan lifers add EM bonds, reap stock dividend returns
Cathay Life and Shin Kong Life have been upping their exposure to emerging market bonds. They and Fubon Life have also generated strong returns from high-dividend stocks.
BLF invites bids for $2.8b in absolute-return equity mandates
The $125 billion state fund is seeking managers for 15 mandates for its first overseas absolute-return equity portfolios, as it seeks to counter expected volatility in global markets.
