The Swiss firm plans to launch onshore China bond and equity funds, and at least two more asset managers are said to be close to winning licences for private fund management.
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.
Institutional appetite for real estate continues to swell, with deals such as Qatar Investment Authority's purchase of Asia Square Tower 1 pointing to rising interest in Asian assets.
International fund firms have been ranked by the strength of their mainland business, in the first such report from Z-Ben Advisors. Outbound activity is seen as the highest-risk category.
The Swiss fund house has made further progress in building its onshore China business, but has no plans in respect of the Hong Kong-China mutual recognition of funds scheme.
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.
Asset owners are interested in sustainable investments but they lack enough peer benchmarks and suitable products, according to a World Economic Forum white paper.
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.
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.