Capital continued flowing into China's onshore bond market last year, despite trade tensions and a depreciating yuan, a survey has found. Such allocations are expected to rise further.
Citi says mainland debt is now eligible for its EM and regional government bond indexes, but has not given a time frame for inclusion, sparking more debate among fund managers.
The Chinese asset manager is looking to feed demand from its parent insurance firm for foreign private assets, and Australia is attracting more interest amid uncertainty over the UK and US.
The hedge fund giant and three other asset managers – Aberdeen, AllianzGI and BNP Paribas Investment Partners – have been approved to trade China's interbank bond market.
International fund houses have received further clarity on investments into China's interbank bond market, say sources, but central banks remain the biggest drivers of fast-rising inflows.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Asset owners are interested in sustainable investments but they lack enough peer benchmarks and suitable products, according to a World Economic Forum white paper.