The Covid-19 pandemic has brought investing opportunities in credit markets amid turbulence, said CIOs from AIA, Prudential Asia and Ping An at an AsianInvestor event.
With a cautious sigh of relief, we are now moving into the final stages of 2020. Despite the challenges faced this year, the outlook for bond investors in Asia remains positive.
Institutional investors in Europe are looking to invest more into emerging market high yield bonds in an effort to boost returns, despite the additional risk they entail.
Moody’s and fund managers believe further debt downgrades are an inevitability as Covid-19’s impact continues. China could offer both strong investments and potential defaulters.
The pandemic is set to reduce globalisation, explode debt burdens and cut traditional returns. Investors need to adapt, but opportunities will emerge amid as the pandemic subsides.
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.