As the world recovers from the coronavirus pandemic, equity markets are expected to follow suit, although investors are divided on which markets to focus.
It may be too soon to assess the likely effect of the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak, but investors are taking risk off the table in the short term while they hope for a swift recovery.
The French fund house is expanding institutional client coverage, says its Asia head, citing business growth in segments such as insurance and superannuation funds.
Natixis's acquisition of MV Credit shows how asset managers are bulking up their private market capabilities as investor demand grows for non-traditional, higher-yielding assets.
High US equity market valuations remain a big concern for Asian investors but it remains their favourite region for allocating overseas, according to experts.
Jerome Powell, the next chairman of the US Federal Reserve, should continue the policies of current head Janet Yellen, which should ensure a good Asia outlook, experts say.
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.
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.
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 Canadian pension fund is transferring a senior portfolio manager from Singapore with a view to expanding and internationalising its capital markets team further.
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.