Hong Kong government announces measures to woo family offices; Thai billionaire family plans Hong Kong office; Vanguard to shut remaining China business; HKEX releases framework for pre-revenue tech listings; and more.
Four of the five most-read stories were related to Australia, including Vanguard's entry into the pension market and Canadian pensions' plans in real estate. Family offices also offered insight into private asset investment plans.
Vanguard launches a pension fund in Australia, the first new fund license to be approved in six years; Taiwan's Bureau of Labor Funds appoints seven asset managers - four foreign and three local; and more.
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.
Online sales of funds in China are disrupting the dominance of commercial bank distribution but the latest tie-up between two giant firms has limited scope, say some analysts.
A lack of scale in Singapore and the problems of trying to sell funds with no distribution costs or adviser commissions are seen as key reasons for Vanguard closing the office.
Passive fund houses are likely to wait for direct access to China’s mutual fund market, but this entails risks, says a report to be released today by Standard Chartered and Z-Ben Advisors.
With actively managed funds falling woefully short of their targets, passive products have the chance to finally overcome the reticence of Asian investors. Regulatory changes could help.
Ontario Teachers seeks Asia head; Vanguard shuffles leadership; Fidelity promotes Daisy Ho; Jupiter hires for EM debt; MBK Partners loses Kung; State Street names alts chief; RBC ITS brings in Kriesel; Credit Suisse replaces Thai wealth head; Henderson, Janus name bond chief.