Big fixed income investors will see the newly approved China-Hong Kong bond trading link as inferior to other access channels, though smaller players should find it useful, say industry experts.
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 fund house's Asia head of fixed income, Ashley Perrott, suggests that waiting on China's inclusion in global bond indexes is a red herring, as his firm continues its push onshore.
Kimberley Stafford takes over a business that has ambitious plans, including establishing a China presence and building a regional retail business, in a testing environment.
A bond-trading link between Hong Kong and China is unlikely to attract strong retail flows and could distract from the opening of the mainland interbank debt market, says the association's CEO.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Hong Kong-listed shares of mainland companies should receive more interest as Chinese pensions and global investors seek to benefit from relatively low valuations.