Asia-Pacific: Pensions and Investment News and Analysis – Page 26
-
IP Asia
Japan - Uptrend in funds returned to Government
The final tally for daiko henjo (return to the government of welfare pension portion of EPF schemes) in fiscal 2009 has been announced by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.
-
IP Asia
Giant insurers take a step towards public life
Few casual observers would have thought that this year the biggest IPO globally would occur in Japan. Fewer still that it would be an insurance company making its debut on the stock exchange.
-
IP Asia
India gives NPS members some incentive
The Government of India has recently announced it will add a 1000 Rupees (c. $25) co-contribution every year for the next three years for everyone who joins the New Pension Scheme.
-
IP Asia
The long term view grows shorter
As institutions continually question their approach, fund managers have had to adapt to a client base that rejects the traditional assumptions. Bee Ong talks to Russell CEO Andrew Doman about meeting this challenge.
-
IP Asia
Options for long-term saving
The Shift to DC, a white paper recently produced by State Street contains some useful information on the creative new approaches being adopted for people’s post-retirement income phase.
-
IP Asia
The Long-Short Score Card: 2007 to 2009
How did hedge fund managers handle the peaks and troughs of one of the toughest market environments most of them will have experienced. Richard Johnston, of Albourne Partners in Hong Kong, assesses the numbers.
-
IP Asia
Adjusting to custom and practice
by Bee Ong - In the sharia investment marketplace, global best practices are just beginning to surface in back-office functions such as custody and fund accounting.
-
IP Asia
Advancing the sustainability agenda
In Asia, there are many challenges involved in the effort to establish sustainability standards as business and investment norms.
-
IP Asia
China – what lies ahead?
Expect growth, lots of it. That is conclusion of specialist research house Z-Ben Advisors, in their most recent analysis of the Chinese fund management market. Ivan Shi provides this executive overview.
-
IP Asia
The Sharia alternative
by Bee Ong - Speculative they may not be, but the Sharia funds industry looks to be spawning its own hedge funds.
-
IP Asia
More questions than answers as Sharia develops
Three years ago, when the US sub-prime crisis exploded, GS Khoo was already testing the ground for fissures in other parts of the financial services landscape. Islamic finance was one of the areas he predicted would face issues. Bee Ong reports
-
IP Asia
Asia's boom hides system fragility
by Kevin Hebner - the Asian the financial system remains under-developed, a failing that could take decades to rectify. This is particularly true of China, which requires dramatic liberalization of fixed income and FX markets, and the phasing out of its stringent capital controls.
-
IP Asia
Modern Portfolio Theory – captivating the unwary
What cannot be measured easily is often not managed at all, even if it is much more important.
-
IP Asia
How to make the most of member choice
As Hong Kong comes closer to implementing the new Mandatory Provident Funds Schemes (Amendment) Ordinance, heralding the era of member choice, we asked Philip Tso, Head of Investment, Hong Kong for Towers Watson, for his thoughts on how this new regime will play out. We know from the experience of ...
-
IP Asia
Performance measurement - devil in the detail
As institutions streamline their operations in a bid to reduce costs, one area where pension funds have been unable to cut back is in performance measurement. Francis Braeckevelt explains how performance measurement services have evolved. It is difficult today for any asset manager or owner to get by without ...
-
IP Asia
Japanese real estate update
by Oscar Volder - In the unlisted segment of the market, some pension fund investors were approached with the request to add capital to their investment in order not to lose all of the initially invested equity.
-
IP Asia
Islamic Finance – a glossary of terms
Bai Bithaman Ajil A contract for deferred payment on the sale of goods. A bank buys goods requested by the client. The bank sells the goods to the client at cost plus profit. They client settles payment in instalments within a predetermined period or in lump sum. Gharar Lit The ...
-
IP Asia
Be Ready for RMB Funds
by Joseph Mariathasan - it will not be long before foreign private equity firms can set up RMB funds with parallel onshore and offshore vehicles. Such a development would enable firms to attract both domestic and foreign capital.
-
IP Asia
Industry Funds Transition Leadership
by Gordon Noble - With its core construction and building sector membership Cbus has a long history of developing its own property assets through its own property arm Cbus Property
-
IP Asia
Rebuilding The GPF’s Image Is A Key Priority
Sopawadee Lertmanaschai is the new secretary general of Thailand’s Government Pension Fund (GPF), which manages nearly US$13 billion in assets for 1.16 million civil servants. Lertmanaschai took over the post on January 18. It was previously held by Visit Tantisunthorn from 2001 until he was dismissed in June 2009, due to alleged irregularities. Just weeks into the job, the former chief marketing officer of the Stock Exchange of Thailand shares her plans for the GPF with IPA’s Rita De Ramos.
