China extends equity opportunities to foreign institutions
From November, investors under China's Qualified Foreign Institutional Investor (QFII) scheme will be allowed to trade commodity futures, commodity options and stock index options.
Apac emerging markets struggle to attract climate investments – AIGCC report
When it comes to green investment destinations, G20 Apac countries lag behind their peers due to weak governmental policies as well as general investor reluctance, among other factors.
Just how do external managers integrate with an in-house ESG framework? Discuss
At AsianInvestor's Mandating Change Week panellists discussed how to integrate external managers with existing internal ESG frameworks
Equity-collateralised loans show return potential
Contrary to traditional perceptions, share pledge financing can offer high returns for investors. Borrowers using their shares as collateral for loans understand and value the equity.
Equity-collateralised loans show return potential
Contrary to traditional perceptions, share pledge financing can offer high returns for investors. Borrowers using their shares as collateral for loans understand and value the equity.
Canada's CDPQ to quit oil next year as part of ambitious net-zero portfolio by 2050 strategy
CDPQ has an ambitious new plan to fight the climate crisis, which includes a complete exit from oil assets by the end of 2022.
Nippon Life prioritises ESG engagement over divestment
Japan's largest life insurer has made more than 90% of its carbon-heavy investees disclose their greenhouse gas reduction targets through active engagement.
Weekly investor roundup: KIC alternatives allocation declines for 2nd year; OTPP, Temasek join crypto exchange funding round
The Korea Investment Corporation (KIC) has decreased alternative asset allocation for two straight years; Cryptocurrency exchange FTX draws funding from OTPP, Temasek; Former head of investments at Temasek joins De Beers billionaire's family office in Singapore; GIC reportedly commits to new ESR Japan Income Fund; CPP Investments commits to logistics partnership in Japan; and more.
Kishida looks to put his own stamp on Japanese economy
Japan’s new Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is said to be mulling economic policies that could include moving the country away from Abenomics. Investors will be watching closely for any changes with implications for them.
A public ESG commitment? Not quite yet, say half of Asia's asset owners
Only 11% of Asia asset owners’ portfolios have been invested in environmental, social and governance assets or ESG-related strategies, says a new report.
Weekly roundup of people news, Oct 22
Manulife appoints new COO; the head of investment stewardship at VFMC departs; June Wong joins Value Partners as president; State Street appoints head of Singapore and Southeast Asia, and head of Australia; BlackRock COO joins UBS AM as Australia and New Zealand country head; Pictet veteran named as Asia CIO; Nomura AM Malaysia head to step down; and more
Partner Insights
Nuveen drives responsible investing mindset in asset owner portfolios
Amid today’s macro landscape and the need to rethink portfolio planning, asset owners in Asia Pacific are more eagerly embracing responsible investing, says Nuveen’s Simon England-Brammer.
Leveraging technology to power alternatives manager research
Tech-enabled solutions streamline the due diligence process in alternatives manager research, while minimising costly errors from idiosyncratic risks.
Beyond Profit: How a multi-asset lens helps achieve returns alongside creating positive impact
As more multi-asset portfolios integrate sustainability, such portfolios’ ability to navigate short-term swings in performance is enhanced without sacrificing longer term returns, says Schroders’ Jason Yu. In this Beyond Profit series, the firm explores both investing in sustainability-driven sectors and incorporating ESG considerations in the investment process.
How to decompose complex portfolios and returns?
The asset allocation matrix is becoming more complex as investors look for new sources of returns beyond traditional asset types. How can investors measure and maximise returns in compounded portfolios?
Initial margin rules set to pose challenges to asset owners
The regulation, which is now in the final implementation phases, will likely give institutional investors and asset managers a hard time as initial margin calculation is highly technical.
China A-shares to draw stronger interests from institutional investors
Pandemic-fuelled turbulence and policy risk concerns will have little impact on the long-term investment value of the China stock market, making it attractive to international investors.
UK real estate embraces carbon neutrality
Huge cuts in emissions from real estate assets will be essential to reach net zero carbon by 2050. Columbia Threadneedle Investments’ carbon neutral real estate approach has been established for over a decade and offers major benefits for all stakeholders.
Uncovering the future winners in Asia
Massive structural changes are underway in Asia. Which industries will stay ahead of the game after the pandemic and how can investors maximise the compelling opportunities?
Bank loans in spotlight amid inflation concerns
Demand for bank loans is growing as investors look for hedges against inflation and rising interest rates. The asset’s steady performance in the last two decades also helps to increase its appeal.
Reaping new returns in the digital landscape
The surge in cyber threats and cloud computing amid the influence of digitalisation across all sectors and markets has created an array of new investment opportunities, said speakers from First Trust Global Portfolios and the Consumer Technology Association at a webinar hosted by AsianInvestor and Nasdaq.
In-depth
Kishida looks to put his own stamp on Japanese economy
Japan’s new Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is said to be mulling economic policies that could include moving the country away from Abenomics. Investors will be watching closely for any changes with implications for them.
Investors welcome Hong Kong MPF's tilt towards China government bonds
Industry experts say it's about time the MPF embraced China government bonds as Lam announces sweeping reforms of the city's retirement fund
Why family offices blend impact investing with philanthropy
The way family offices contribute to society has evolved from philanthropy to impact investing - or in many cases, a blend of both.
Asian firms continue to lag in gender diversity even as investors push for change
Stakeholders are placing increasing importance on gender equality on corporate boards, but institutionalised problems continue to limit career advancement for women in Asia Pacific, experts say.
Magazine
Events
Jun 28, 2021
Mandating Change Week
The Mandating Change Week (25-28 Oct) gathers asset owners and managers to share their experiences in building ESG frameworks and review how they are addressing issues around ESG considerations.
Webinar
2 days ago
Taking a thematic route to long-term returns
Planning portfolios and asset allocation in the current environment is increasingly challenging. But with sweeping transformations to societies and economies globally, investors’ focus has shifted from traditional sectors to themes likely to shape tomorrow’s world.
As investors try to identify winning strategies for 2022, and beyond, passive instruments that offer exposure to emerging technologies are seeing strong inflows. From AI, machine learning and robotics, to 5G, intelligent automation and cybersecurity, thematic investing is a compelling way to access and capitalise on these trends.
In this engaging and timely discussion, market experts from Nasdaq, ChinaAMC and Cathay Securities will share their perspectives and provide practical insights to help investors:
- Understand key market trends and thematics
- Access rapidly emerging opportunities within the new technologies landscape
- Identify thematic ETFs with the potential to outperform
- Position thematic investment strategies within portfolios
- Learn what’s next in key markets in Asia
Speakers
- Clarence Chan, head of ETFs, China Asset Management (Hong Kong) Limited
- Eddie Cheng, Senior Vice President, Head of Quantitative and Index Business Divison, Cathay Securities Investment Trust Co., Ltd.
- Efram Slen, Associate Vice President, Global Head of Index Research, Investment Intelligence, Nasdaq
- Moderator: Andrew Crooke, Strategy and Content Director, AsianInvestor
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Most Read
Family offices taking ESG into their own hands as regulators play catch up
Asia Pacific's family offices are a nimble bunch and never more so than when it comes to ESG where they're already proving to be ahead of the regulators.
Weekly roundup of people news, Oct 22
Manulife appoints new COO; the head of investment stewardship at VFMC departs; June Wong joins Value Partners as president; State Street appoints head of Singapore and Southeast Asia, and head of Australia; BlackRock COO joins UBS AM as Australia and New Zealand country head; Pictet veteran named as Asia CIO; Nomura AM Malaysia head to step down; and more
Why family offices blend impact investing with philanthropy
The way family offices contribute to society has evolved from philanthropy to impact investing - or in many cases, a blend of both.
Weekly roundup of people news, Oct 15
Aware Super appoints deputy CIO and head of governance; AustralianSuper promotes chief risk officer to replace Paul Schroder; Raffles Family Office adds two new roles to independent advisory board; Amundi appoints South Asia CEO; Barclays names China chief executive; Zico hires head of advisory in Singapore; Capital Group names head of HK client group; and more
Asian firms continue to lag in gender diversity even as investors push for change
Stakeholders are placing increasing importance on gender equality on corporate boards, but institutionalised problems continue to limit career advancement for women in Asia Pacific, experts say.
The $4 trillion club: how the world's biggest investors are driving clarity on ESG data
Leading LPs and GPs are collaborating to pool information in a bid to standardise ESG data reporting with the aim of bringing transparency to sustainable investing within the private equity industry.
Beyond Profit: How a multi-asset lens helps achieve returns alongside creating positive impact
As more multi-asset portfolios integrate sustainability, such portfolios’ ability to navigate short-term swings in performance is enhanced without sacrificing longer term returns, says Schroders’ Jason Yu. In this Beyond Profit series, the firm explores both investing in sustainability-driven sectors and incorporating ESG considerations in the investment process.
Asian investors growing more doubtful over ESG: survey
Corruption risks and the lack of opportunities are not helping Asian investors overcome their doubts about the value of ESG metrics
Norway pension fund’s TCM exclusion highlights ESG balancing act
Norges Bank Investment Management added four prominent traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) firms to its exclusion list but has also been increasing its emerging market exposure.
Asia Pacific investors prefer active thematic investing, seek external experts
Nearly 50% of institutional investors and family offices in Asia Pacific intend to increase the number of external managers for their thematic investments in equities over the next 12 months.