The index provider's plans to add China's government bonds into a key index will force investors to weigh decent yields against political risks and market constraints.
A growing number of investors in the region are using climate-aligned allocation strategies, but they could do more. Few set environmental standards in mandates, for instance.
Institutions in Australia and Japan are making good progress on achieving targets for gender parity, but there is still work to do in the region, including in Hong Kong.
The Japanese pension fund’s actively managed foreign-equity investments outperformed the far larger amounts being managed passively. Should it take active investing more seriously?
New prime minister Yoshihide Suga could set out plans to tighten GPIF's oversight to garner support for his re-election next year, say country experts.
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.