Analysis
A pioneering journey
The success of Stock Connect has revolutionized market access for cross-border investments since its launch a decade ago. As Hong Kong's financial market seeks its next engine of growth, Stock Connect serves as an inspiration for the potential development of a Hong Kong-Middle East Corridor.
China’s capital market enters a new phase
The stock market slump over the past three years has prompted China’s State Council to issue a directive in April to reform the markets with nine guidelines. The nation has reached an inflection point in its growth model and would require a shift to high-quality growth rather than absolute pace. The Chinese capital market is now entering a new phase.
China’s wealth management products cast off their shadows
China’s bank wealth management products have gone on a path of less-risky development in the wake of a sweeping regulatory overhaul five years ago, but face new challenges and opportunities.
New era for private funds in China
China is set to overhaul its US$2.9 trillion private funds sector with new rules to strengthen governance and promote innovation. The country’s under-developed private market can play a significant role to help reset the world’s second largest economy.
Two decades of Chinese securities markets opening
Investing in Chinese securities markets has never been easier since the QFII scheme was introduced two decades ago, but foreign investors are at a crossroads .
The changing face of Chinese investors
Chinese mutual fund investors are increasingly displaying stronger confidence and maturity in investing. Female participation has increased, incomes are higher, and investors are more educated, savvier at online and digital communication, and allocating more income into investment.
Competition in China’s custody market stiffens
China’s custodian banks have been on a roll over the past two decades. But now their margins are being squeezed and new challengers are appearing on multiple fronts. Apart from competition from within, custodian banks are also seeing their market share being eroded by securities companies in the mutual fund and private fund sectors. Foreign banks are also entering the scene.
China’s bank wealth management business comes out of the shadows
China’s 25.8 trillion RMB wealth management sector represents the biggest pool of managed assets in China, larger than the 23 trillion RMB mutual fund market. The business is entering a new phase of development after a sweeping regulatory overhaul three years ago. The government has set up a new licence for the sector as well as allowing the entry of foreign competition to encourage players to break away from dubious practices in the past and to innovate and improve their services. The The long-awaited Wealth Management Connect scheme for the Greater Bay Area recently announced can be another booster.
ESG funds ready for take off in China
China has seen a significant uptake of ESG funds over the past two years even though it is a late starter to the game. Its blueprint for national development is pushing ESG into the mainstream for both institutional and retail investors. However, the country’s ESG journey will be on its own terms, based on its own needs and characteristics.
Digital platforms transform China’s fund distribution landscape
Digital wealth platforms powered by big data analytics and artificial intelligence are rocking China’s fund distribution and wealth management market. They have rapidly developed into fund-selling powerhouses. Together with the push for investment advisory services, they have transformed China’s fund distribution landscape by bringing some much-needed diversification and discipline to the industry.
Tokyo’s bid to become a global financial centre
Japan has implemented a package of incentives to lure foreign fund houses to move to Tokyo, taking a big step forward on its plan to replace Hong Kong as Asia’s premier international financial centre. Despite these initiatives and Japan’s overall economic and other strengths, there are some intrinsic shortcomings that work against its plan.
Unlocking China’s domestic wealth
China’s asset management industry has developed the depth and breadth that goes far beyond mutual funds over the past two decades. Foreign fund managers now have a number of routes to tap the vast China market.
A golden opportunity for foreign custodians in China
Most foreign players’ ability to unlock China's domestic wealth has been unimpressive over the past 20 years. How would it be different this time?
Foreign participation in China’s investment market
The Chinese investment market has been fast changing over the past two decades since it started. A multi-faced ecosystem has developed embracing diversity as well as specialisation. Although there are now multiple avenues for foreign participation, Chinese regulators can do a lot more to internationalise the industry .