Despite the introduction of Bond Connect last year, Beijing still has hurdles to clear if it is to attract more meaningful international flows to its debt market.
China has reportedly reopened the two schemes. This could mean Ucits funds are close to Bond Connect approval and that QDII is set to return, says Andy Seaman of Stratton Street.
Global investor monitoring and testing for the new China access programme is just beginning and early trading has largely relied on Chinese banks. But it's a decent start.
China and Hong Kong need to get their act together if Bond Connect is going to buck a run of disappointing trading links. Investors need to be able to hedge interest rate risk onshore.
China's central bank has clarified operational details of the market access scheme, through which Standard Chartered expects strong early trading in July.
Rating agency Moody’s says offshore renminbi bonds will be marginalised by the imminent China-Hong Kong trading link. Andy Seaman of Stratton Street Capital disagrees.
CPPIB, Omers and OTPP are busy hiring in the region for investment talent in credit, real assets and particularly equities. Omers is also planning to add office space in Singapore.
Swiss Re hires head of China asset management business; BlackRock deregisters its China WFOE; DWS names head of Apac insurance coverage; Amundi appoints first Asia sustainability officer; Manulife IM appoints senior portfolio manager for asset allocation; Morgan Stanley IM hires portfolio manager for A-shares; and more.
Although sustainable funds have seen increasing inflows amid growing environmental awareness and the spotlight on social issues due to Covid-19, the industry still lacks a standard definition of sustainable investing. Nicholette MacDonald-Brown, head of European blend equities at Schroders, explains the firm’s three-pronged approach of people, process and purpose.
Special purpose acquisition companies (Spacs) have gained ground as financing vehicles for companies looking to go public. But Asian family offices have yet to make many investments.
China Pacific Insurance appoints new chairwoman, COO; AMP's CEO to leave by third quarter; Robeco announces duo in senior China roles; Axa IM hires head of institutional sales for Asia; GLP names co-president for logistics; BlackRock sells onshore Korea distribution business; Income Partners poaches head of distribution from Vanguard; and more.
De-risking and green securitisation will help unlock much-needed institutional capital for sustainable infrastructure projects in Asia, say executives at multilateral development banks.
The Canadian and Korean asset management operations of two life insurers have agreed to jointly take advantage of rising institutional investor demand for Asian alternative assets.
The Singapore state fund recently bought into impact investing specialist LeapFrog, and is eyeing more investments that combine strong financial returns with a positive social effect.