With Sino-US tensions mounting over Donald Trump's plans for trade protectionism, among other things, mainland institutions are seen to be eyeing foreign assets outside America.
The Edinburgh-based fund manager chose the city state as the base from which to build out its direct real estate investment capability in Asia. It appointed four executives to staff the office.
Richard House of Standard Life Investments expects Asian asset owners, notably Taiwanese life insurers, to raise allocations to emerging-market bonds as they strive to boost yields.
The UK fund manager has hired its first institutional sales head in Tokyo and is looking to add another to his team, with a view to tapping growing local demand for foreign exposure.
Newly proposed rules – due to take effect later this year – are set to help Korean insurers increase their overseas and alternatives exposure with a view to tackling falling returns.
Having set up an 11-person office and obtained an advisory licence in Tokyo, Standard Life Investments is eyeing the next steps for expansion, new Japan CEO Neil Slater told AsianInvestor.
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.