The asset class remains compelling for Asia-Pacific life insurance companies in 2023 despite market uncertainties and doubts over valuations in the private market.
Rising yields create an attractive environment for big fixed income allocators such as life insurance companies, but portfolio repositioning is a double-edged sword — especially if one is carrying unrealised losses from last year’s market downturn.
Regional life insurers could benefit from investing in derivatives and alternative assets, but they will also need to enhance governance and credit oversight.
A mixture of low bond yields, interest rate cuts and insurers avoiding risky assets will lower returns, though A-share volatility will have a limited impact, say credit analysts.
But they may be less sure about the investments they will be able to make after the regulator updated the asset-liability management framework last week.
Mainland insurance firms hold high cash allocations to help them manage short-term savings products – but this may be storing up trouble, says rating agency Moody’s.
In the latest issue of AsianInvestor magazine, we assess how regional institutions are addressing the global ESG trend and what they need to do. We also have a special report on how insurance companies across the region are adapting to yield compression.