Analysis
Time for an Asian Monetary Fund?
The idea of creating an Asian Monetary Fund is resurrected as nations reconsider the downsides of over-reliance on the US dollar.
Countdown to T+1
Firms worldwide are waking up to implications of T+1 settlement and most are unprepared for the conversion.
Crypto’s future in the balance
The crypto industry saw almost US$1.5 trillion of its market value wiped out in 2022, with a variety of weaknesses being exposed. The industry will need to evolve to be sustainable, and regulation will play a key role in facilitating this evolution.
India coming to the fore
Solid economic fundamentals and growth policies make India a compelling investment destination. Its attractive growth story has increasingly prompted foreign investors to upgrade Indian stocks into a dedicated allocation in their emerging-market investment portfolios.
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 .
Asia Pacific leads digital currency explorations
The Asia Pacific region is at the forefront of exploring central bank digital currencies. Not only major economies in the region are in advanced explorations, but emerging economies and low-income nations are also showing rising interest. However, only two countries have indicated that they are very likely to issue a retail CBDC in the near term.
Changing work attitudes
The prolonged Covid-19 pandemic has prompted many people to rethink their lives, values and priorities, thus giving rise to social phenomenon such as “Great Resignation”, “Great Resuffle”, “Lying Flat” and “Quiet Quitting”. The changing dynamics of employees’ attitude towards work present a challenge as well as an opportunity to businesses.
Moving to T+1 settlement
Shortening the securities settlement cycle to T+1 will have a profound impact on global financial markets, helping to cut risk in volatile markets. In the Asia Pacific, India has begun T+1 implementation with a phased approach.
New Zealand punches above its weight
New Zealand’s asset management industry has been punching above its weight in collaboration with the government despite its remote geographical location and its small population of just over five million. One of its firms recently became the first to be approved to distribute funds across borders under the Asia Region Funds Passport scheme.
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.