Asiamoney - Rest of Asia Coverage

Rest of Asia

2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2002

HSBC Private Bank backs inflation hedges

12 Mar 2010 Stock & exchange, Real estate, Nations & economies, Bonds, Research report
The private bank’s Asia head of investment strategy, Arjuna Mahendran, notes that while inflation at the consumer price level is yet to become a global phenomenon, he is advising clients to build long-term hedges into their portfolios.
Asia-Pacific private equity pipeline

12 Mar 2010 M&A, Private equity
In collaboration with mergermarket, asiamoney.com presents a list of announced private equity deals that are in the pipeline in the Asia-Pacific region.
Asian health-care sector stirs private equity interest

12 Mar 2010 M&A, Private equity
A brace of private equity deals in Asia’s health-care sector last week showcased the market’s potential. With the M&A pipeline looking crowded, deal-making in this sector is likely to heat up in 2010, writes mergermarket.
BoA-ML hires head of sales trading in Singapore

12 Mar 2010 Stock & exchange, Market move
Bank of America-Merrill Lynch has captured Alex Tang from Credit Suisse to be south-east Asia head of sales trading. In another move, Citi has appointed Paul Martin from Knight Capital as a senior sales trader in Hong Kong.
Julius Baer CIO pinpoints three key topics

11 Mar 2010 Stock & exchange, Interviews, Commodities, Foreign exchange, Private banking
Van Anantha-Nageswaran, Bank Julius Baer's CIO, is advising clients to target Asian currency appreciation, agricultural commodities and Thai equities in 2010. He explains his thinking in an interview with asiamoney.com.
Goldman co-head of regional sales trading quits

11 Mar 2010 Stock & exchange, Foreign exchange, Market move
Jesse Lentchner has resigned as managing director and co-head of sales trading for Asia ex-Japan at Goldman Sachs. He is expected to join trading firm BTIG as a Hong Kong-based regional chief executive.
Strategist dampens fears of inflation

11 Mar 2010 Nations & economies, Commodities, Research report
Christian Nolting, Asia-Pacific lead strategist for Deutsche Bank Private Wealth Management, says that rising commodity prices could push up headline inflation rates, but that core rates will remain at a low level.
Investors tipped to smash commodities record

10 Mar 2010 Commodities, Energy
Investors worldwide are set to increase exposure to commodities and beat last year’s US$70 billion record, finds Barclays Capital. Their survey supports the feeling that commodities have become an investor darling again.
Citi’s Asia trade and treasury chief eyes growth

10 Mar 2010 Cash management, Interviews, Market move
The bank’s new head of Treasury and Trade Solutions for Asia-Pacific, Sridhar Kanthadai, says he is seeing a flurry of requests for proposals as Asian businesses seek to centralize costs. He talks about his new role, his priorities and his outlook for 2010.
Consolidation looms for Asia’s insurance industry

09 Mar 2010 M&A, Nations & economies
Following UK insurer Prudential’s US$35.5 billion bid for American International Assurance, analysts note Asia’s insurance industry is ripe for mergers and acquisitions as smaller firms team up to improve their competitiveness.
UBS captures FICC chief in Taiwan: sources

09 Mar 2010 Structured products, Investment banking, Commodities, Bonds, Foreign exchange, Market move
The Swiss bank is understood to have hired Frank Suen from Citi to be head of fixed income, currencies and commodities for Taiwan. It would be the second veteran Citi banker that UBS has hired in recent weeks.
Citi hires distressed debt head for Asia

09 Mar 2010 Hedge funds, Bonds, Loans, Market move
The bank has appointed John Liptak as head of its Asia-Pacific distressed and special situations group, according to an internal memo. He came from Hong Kong hedge fund Tribridge Capital, and Bank of America before that.
Wealth manager BSI launches Asia blitz

09 Mar 2010 Market move, Private banking
The Switzerland-based firm says it is launching a new initiative to expand its business in Asia. It is timed to coincide with the official start of Hanspeter Brunner as CEO of BSI Bank Ltd Singapore.
Regional head of equities quits Nomura

08 Mar 2010 Stock & exchange, Investment banking, Market move
Sigurbjorn Thorkelsson resigned last week as head of Nomura’s regional equities business in Hong Kong, the latest in a string of senior departures from the bank. Nomura also announced a management reshuffle today.
Julius Baer names south-east Asia head

08 Mar 2010 Market move, Private banking
The firm has appointed David Lim as private banking head for south-east Asia. He succeeds Wilfred Kofmehl, who steps down to focus on key client relationships. Asiamoney.com interviews regional CEO Thomas Meier on the move and the bank's growth plans.
Wealth management merry-go-round: Asia update

08 Mar 2010 Market move, Private banking
Hiring activity has been rampant in Asia’s wealth management markets over the past six months. Asiamoney.com sums up the key industry moves.
Asian firms urged to raise investment spending

08 Mar 2010 Nations & economies
HSBC’s senior Asian economist Frederic Neumann notes that the region needs a back-up growth driver for when fiscal stimuli begin to fade or western demand starts to wobble. Now is the right time, he says, given low rates and available credit.
Investment bank Nomura reshuffles global deck

08 Mar 2010 Investment banking, Market move
Nomura revealed a series of management appointments today in an organisational reshuffle. It includes promoting Hiromasa Yamazaki to global markets CEO as well as Rachid Bouzouba to co-head of global equities.
Equity issuance records Asia bounce

08 Mar 2010 M&A, Stock & exchange, Bonds, League table
A total of 32 equity market deals were recorded last week, with Korean life insurers in the mix. The acquisition of AIA Group drove up M&A figures, while debt markets were quieter. Asiamoney.com rounds up the key capital market activity across the region over the past week.
New Nomura banking chiefs eye Asia growth

07 Mar 2010 Investment banking, Interviews, Market move
Eighteen months after the Japanese bank bought the regional assets of Lehman Brothers, Colin Banfield and Patrick Schmitz-Morkramer, the joint-heads of investment banking for Asia ex-Japan, outline their strategy and growth ambitions.
Asia-Pacific private equity pipeline

05 Mar 2010 M&A, Private equity
In collaboration with Mergermarket, asiamoney.com presents a list of announced private equity transactions that are in the pipeline in the Asia-Pacific region.
Asian private equity acquisitions point to recovery

05 Mar 2010 M&A, Private equity
Consolidation is taking place alongside venture-capital-style investments, as shown in the past week, which bolsters the impression that the long-awaited economic recovery is now underway, writes mergermarket.
Business news: the past week in Asia

05 Mar 2010 Nations & economies, Market wrap
Prudential bids to buy AIA, while China Merchants Bank and Bank of Communications plot major rights offerings. Australia and Malaysia hike rates and Nomura conducts its first US dollar bond issue.
BoA-ML hires senior Deutsche debt banker

04 Mar 2010 Bonds, Loans, Market move
Bank of America-Merrill Lynch has hired Michael Luk from Deutsche to be head of Asia-Pacific debt capital markets. He quit the German bank last week. Rick Stoddard is rumoured to be taking a senior financing role within BoA-ML.
SocGen hires equity strategist in Asia build-out

04 Mar 2010 Stock & exchange, Broking, Market move
Société Générale has named Todd Martin as Asia-Pacific equity strategist, based in Hong Kong. He was most recently head of alternative trading strategies at CLSA. It is part of a drive to develop its global equity and flow franchise in Asia-Pacific.
Greek stability seen to boost Asian currencies

04 Mar 2010 Nations & economies, Bonds, Foreign exchange
Markets have responded positively as Greek borrowing costs dropped to their lowest level since mid-February. This positive news is likely to move Asian currencies higher, notes Mitul Kotecha of Credit Agricole CIB.
Asian IPO prices must come down, says S&P

03 Mar 2010 Stock & exchange
A series of debut trading flops by firms listing in Asia means IPO prices must come down to tweak investor interest, says Lorraine Tan of S&P. The firm also believes regional equity markets will rally, albeit amid volatility.
Fund manager focuses on stock-picker’s paradise

03 Mar 2010 Stock & exchange, Nations & economies, Asset management
Global economic growth will be slower than market consensus and equity investors should take advantage by targeting industry-leaders as they are best placed to benefit from potential consolidation, says Greg Woodard.
RBS Coutts moves global joint CIO to Asia

03 Mar 2010 Market move, Private banking
The international private banking arm of the Royal Bank of Scotland said it had relocated global co-chief investment officer Nick Cringle to Hong Kong. Manfred Liechti also started in Singapore this week as its market head for south-east Asia.
Opinion: why Asia is abuzz over AIA sale

03 Mar 2010 M&A, Editorial
UK life assurer Prudential plans to raise US$21 billion in a rights offering to help it to buy Hong Kong-based AIA. Whether the deal goes through or not, it is set to have widespread ramifications for Asia’s insurance sector.
Headwinds threaten Asia’s corporate bond market

03 Mar 2010 Nations & economies, Bonds
Conflicting policy objectives among Asian nations makes investors uncertain about the strength of economic recovery, says Moody’s. Any development not in line with expectations could trigger swift changes in capital flows.
UBS hires FICC co-heads for Asia, say sources

02 Mar 2010 Investment banking, Bonds, Foreign exchange, Market move
The bank is believed to have hired Thomas Siegmund from Nomura and Shahryar Mahbub from Citi to co-head fixed income, currencies and commodities for Asia ex-Japan. It is seen as part of a build out to catch up rivals.
Asiamoney Travel Poll 2010: results revealed

02 Mar 2010 Polls & awards
In our largest ever Travel Poll, Shangri-La hotels and Singapore Airlines remain top picks of senior executives travelling for business and leisure in the region. In all, 520 business travelers from 28 nations participated.
Marcel Kreis eyes 20% growth in net new assets

02 Mar 2010 M&A, Nations & economies, Private banking
The head of Credit Suisse’s Asia-Pacific private banking business says he wants to grow regional net new assets up to 20% per annum over the next three years. He has faith in the region, but also in the bank’s Swiss home market.
Credit Suisse in Asia private banking reshuffle

01 Mar 2010 Market move, Private banking
The bank names Werner Schlossmacher head of investment solutions for south-east Asia and Australasia in a reshuffle, adding to his role as head of structured derivatives. He succeeds Christian Senn as the bank pushes into the ultra-high-net-worth segment.
BarCap confirms appointment of Johan Leven

01 Mar 2010 Investment banking, Market move
Barclays Capital announced today it had appointed former Goldman Sachs veteran banker Johan Leven as co-head of corporate finance for Asia-Pacific in a move first reported by asiamoney.com.
Asia sees increase in M&A activity

01 Mar 2010 M&A, Stock & exchange, Investment banking, Bonds, League table
There has been a 42% year-on-year rise in regional M&A in 2010, according to data provider Dealogic. Equity and debt issuance is also on the rise. Asiamoney.com reviews last week’s key capital markets activity in Asia.
Crédit Agricole promotes veteran

01 Mar 2010 Structured products, Bonds, Market move
The bank has named Laurent Baumgartner regional head of interest rate derivatives trading for Asia ex-Japan in what it describes as a well-deserved promotion, having been with the firm for 15 years.
Asia-Pacific private equity pipeline

01 Mar 2010 M&A, Private equity
In collaboration with mergermarket, asiamoney.com presents a list of announced private equity deals that are in the pipeline in the Asia-Pacific region.
Horizon carries hope for Asia private equity

01 Mar 2010 M&A, Private equity
Just two deals were conducted in Asia last week to bring the year-to-date total to 13, but greater activity lurks on the horizon. It looks likely that private equity houses targeting China will increasingly try to raise renminbi funds, writes mergermarket.
Investors alerted to 27 great brands of tomorrow

26 Feb 2010 Stock & exchange, Broking
Credit Suisse researchers have identified brand stocks across sectors and geographies that they believe will outperform the market over the next three-to-five years, and Asia-Pacific names feature prominently on their list.
Goldman veteran Leven set to join BarCap

26 Feb 2010 M&A, Investment banking, Market move
Barclays Capital is set to name Johan Leven as its head of regional corporate finance in Asia, asiamoney.com understands. The former co-head of regional M&A at Goldman returns after five months out of the industry.
Cautious growth seen in hiring, salaries this year

26 Feb 2010 Investment banking, Nations & economies, Market move
Recruitment firm Robert Walters says hiring and salary levels in Asia’s financial services industry will begin to rise again this year as economies continue to recover. But companies are also expected to change their compensation structure.
Strong US dollar in sight, says senior trader

26 Feb 2010 Nations & economies, Foreign exchange
Choppy trading in FX markets over the past few weeks likely signals the start of a new trend of further strengthening in the US dollar, notes Robert Reilly of Société Générale. But he is bullish on the medium-term outlook for Asian currencies.
Headhunters Poll 2010: full results revealed

25 Feb 2010 M&A, Stock & exchange, Hedge funds, Private equity, Structured products, Investment banking, Bonds, Broking, Polls & awards, Private banking
Asiamoney’s Headhunters Poll 2010 saw some familiar favourites interspersed with new faces rising to the top. We reveal the top recruiters of the past year as voted for by poll respondents, and consider the prospects for 2010.
Asian issuers forecast to dominate GDR industry

25 Feb 2010 Stock & exchange
Despite the region’s equity markets experiencing a downtrend since the start of the year, BNY Mellon remains bullish about the growth of the global depositary receipt industry in Asia this year.
Further volatility expected in Asia’s credit markets

25 Feb 2010 Nations & economies, Bonds, Loans
The region’s credit markets have remained resilient despite fears about Greece’s fiscal deficits, with markets reacting positively to the US Fed’s discount rate hike. But Nomura’s Dong Nam believes they will give up some of their recent gains.
Opinion: India must try harder in race for energy assets

24 Feb 2010 Editorial, Commodities, Energy
Asian state firms have been vying for oil and gas assets abroad, notably China and South Korea, to reduce dependence on imports. Now India has joined the fray, but its firms need to improve their public relations.
Analysts predict upturn for hedge fund industry

24 Feb 2010 Hedge funds, Asset management
Eurekahedge analysts are conservatively predicting a 12% increase in global industry AUM as the sharp change in market conditions from mid-January prompts more investors to seek greater downside protection.
Macquarie outlines potential of nuclear power in Asia

24 Feb 2010 Stock & exchange, Nations & economies, Energy
China’s and India’s growing need for nuclear power will boost the fortunes of companies in the supply chain, many of which are based in Asia, notes Macquarie as it highlights its regional picks in the sector.
Investors warned of repeating hedge fund mistakes

23 Feb 2010 Hedge funds, Asset management
Investment consultant Aongus O’Gorman is sceptical that investors have learned the lessons of the financial crisis as the market makes a cautious return to hedge funds.
DBS confirms head of global transaction services

23 Feb 2010 Cash management, Market move
The Singaporean bank has appointed Tom McCabe from StanChart as head of global transaction services. He succeeds Pranam Wahi, who is being transferred to be Middle East head for DBS Bank, effective from March.
BarCap explains 2010 outlook for Asian currencies

23 Feb 2010 Foreign exchange, Research report
Peter Redward, BarCap head of emerging Asia research, says he prefers to position long Asian currencies and favours FX options to improve risk/reward and to hedge directional US dollar/Asia exposure opportunistically.
Asia’s private equity secondary market tipped for boom

22 Feb 2010 M&A, Private equity
Sovereign wealth fund CIC injected US$1.5 billion into three secondary funds last week, unfazed by fears over potential conflicts of interest. Investors are expecting an increase in Asia-focused secondary market investments.
Asia-Pacific private equity pipeline

22 Feb 2010 M&A, Private equity
In collaboration with mergermarket, asiamoney.com presents a list of announced private equity transactions that are in the pipeline in the Asia-Pacific region.
Market praises UBS’ move to unite DCM teams

22 Feb 2010 Investment banking, Bonds, Loans, Market move
Observers say the bank’s move to unite debt origination businesses in Asia is smart and will boost revenues. UBS has made a number of DCM appointments in the region, according to an internal memo seen by asiamoney.com.
BarCap names O’Sullivan as head of equity research

22 Feb 2010 Stock & exchange, Investment banking, Broking, Market move
The investment bank has appointed Stephen O’Sullivan as head of equity research for non-Japan Asia, based in Hong Kong. He joins from Macquarie Securities in a move that first reported by asiamoney.com back in November.
Asian FX intervention forecast to continue

22 Feb 2010 Nations & economies, Foreign exchange, Research report
Mitul Kotecha, head of global foreign exchange strategy for Calyon, says the US dollar will come under pressure in the first half of this year, suggesting that FX intervention will continue, although a lot depends on China's FX policy.
South Korean debt issues dominate holiday week

22 Feb 2010 M&A, Stock & exchange, Bonds, League table
In all, 16 of 17 corporate investment grade bond deals last week, excluding financials, originated from South Korea. But activity was slow in both equity and M&A markets on the back of the Lunar New Year break.
ANZ hires private banking head in Singapore

19 Feb 2010 Market move, Private banking
The firm has hired Jens Rzesacz as head of its private bank for south and south-east Asia. He returns to the market after a year following his departure last February from Deutsche Bank Private Wealth Management.
Asian currency winners identified in 2010

19 Feb 2010 Foreign exchange, Research report
Mirza Baig, Deutsche Bank's head of Asia foreign exchange strategy, considers which currencies stand to benefit from a continued decline of the US dollar this year.
Asia sees investment banks racing back to risk

19 Feb 2010 Structured products, Investment banking
Derivatives activity is heating up in the region again as yield becomes elusive. Dealers are re-building their teams and jockeying for position, but have they and their clients truly learned their lessons?
StanChart Private Bank makes senior North Asia hires

19 Feb 2010 Market move, Private banking
Standard Chartered Private Bank has appointed Stella Kong as head of relationship management for China, and Trevor Mak as head of relationship management for Hong Kong, asiamoney.com can reveal. Both started this week.
Bearish response to US rate hike ‘uncalled for’

19 Feb 2010 Stock & exchange, Nations & economies, Foreign exchange
Mitul Kotecha, head of global FX strategy at Credit Agricole, says the market reaction to the Fed’s discount rate hike is overdone and will have no immediate implication for Asian monetary policy or growth profile.
Expert picks 2010 Asian currency outperformers

18 Feb 2010 Foreign exchange, Research report
UBS foreign exchange strategist Nizam Idris considers how Asian currencies are likely to perform against the US dollar this year given the pace of global recovery and the possihle threat of rising inflationary pressure.
Julius Baer hires IT head in Singapore

18 Feb 2010 Market move, Private banking
The private bank announces the appointment of Eddy Tai as head of information technology for Asia and the Middle East. It said that the move signified the importance of the city-state as a hub to propel its regional growth.
Asia-Pacific private equity pipeline

17 Feb 2010 M&A, Private equity
In collaboration with Mergermarket, asiamoney.com presents a list of announced private equity deals that were in the pipeline last week in the Asia-Pacific region.
Impact of EU fiscal crisis on Asia downplayed

17 Feb 2010 Nations & economies, Bonds, Foreign exchange
Regional equity and currency markets are forecast to rebound despite fears over the potential debt default of several European countries. Analysts say Asia’s economic fundamentals are strong, which should support demand for regional assets.
2010 Asian monetary policy forecast to remain loose

17 Feb 2010 Nations & economies
The region’s central banks will tighten monetary policy this year at a slower rate than many observers expect, according to Credit Suisse. But China and India stand out as exceptions.
Asia-Pacific private equity pipeline

08 Feb 2010 M&A, Private equity
In collaboration with Mergermarket, asiamoney.com presents a list of announced private equity transactions that are in the pipeline in the Asia-Pacific region.
Fund manager promotes high-yield debt, currencies

06 Feb 2010 Bonds, Foreign exchange, Asset management
Rajeev De Mello of Western Asset Management believes companies will take advantage of the fact that absolute yield levels in the high-yield debt market are very low. He also highlights opportunities with some Asian currencies.
Business news: the past week in Asia

05 Feb 2010 Market wrap
Australia holds interest rates steady, while Chinese regulators issue a partial ban on listed firms raising capital from equity markets. Also, India’s government starts its divestment drive, consumer prices plunge in Japan and bidders battle to control Siam City Bank.
Citi set to announce Distelbrink replacement

05 Feb 2010 Cash management, Project finance, Market move
The US bank is poised to announce a replacement for Ivo Distelbrink, its recently departed Asia head of treasury and trade solutions. He has joined BoA-ML, which also this week unveiled the appointment of Rick Maloney.
RBS Coutts hires SE Asia market head from UBS

05 Feb 2010 Market move, Private banking
The international private banking arm of RBS has hired Manfred Liechti from UBS as market head for south-east Asia in Singapore. The firm has added over 60 staff in Singapore and Hong Kong since suffering an exodus.
BarCap expected to capture Jeremy Norris

05 Feb 2010 Stock & exchange, Investment banking, Market move
The investment bank is expected to name Jeremy Norris as its Asia head of equity sales trading, asiamoney.com understands. It would be a coup for the firm, with him returning to the industry after a nine-month break.
Industry figures take bearish view on US dollar

04 Feb 2010 Nations & economies, Foreign exchange
While panelists at this month’s Euromoney Asia Forex Forum in Singapore were divided over the greenback’s short-term prospects, almost all take a bleak long-term view, noting ‘65% of the Federal Reserve’s assets are toxic’.
HSBC targets growth in Asia asset management

04 Feb 2010 Asset management, Market move
The bank has hired Julie Koo as regional head of institutional sales as part of an expansion drive. It is seeking to build its team of 15 to 20 to capture institutional business, particularly in Japan and Taiwan.
Daiwa, BoA-ML make senior equity derivatives hires

04 Feb 2010 Structured products, Market move
Underlining the race for talent, Daiwa has recruited Adam Cowperthwaite as its head of equity derivatives sales for Asia ex-Japan, while Rajesh Melwani is set to join BoA-ML as head of equity derivatives sales for Asia-Pacific.
Citi bankers upbeat over new Asia issuance

03 Feb 2010 Stock & exchange, Bonds
The US bank’s Asia-Pacific co-heads of markets, David Ratliff and Rodrigo Zorrilla, are predicting strong new equity and debt issuance for the region in 2010. They stress that the macro trends for Asia remain compelling.
Bond markets buoy Asia’s capital market activity

02 Feb 2010 M&A, Stock & exchange, Bonds, League table
Chinese companies dominated debt issuance, although there were some other telling transactions too, with firms taking a fancy to samurai bonds. However, M&A and equity markets remain subdued. Asiamoney.com rounds up last week’s key regional capital market activity.
Deutsche sees 2010 corrections as buying opportunities

02 Feb 2010 Stock & exchange, Energy, Bonds, Foreign exchange, Asset management, Private banking
The bank’s wealth management team is advising clients to be dynamic in asset allocation. It believes the global economy is strong enough to withstand a withdrawal of government stimuli, and urges investors to seize on market dips.
Experts debate risks of huge central bank reserves

02 Feb 2010 Nations & economies, Foreign exchange
Participants at the Euromoney Asia Forex Forum have questioned the need for Asian central banks to hoard excessive amounts of foreign exchange reserves, suggesting it could pose problems for global markets.
Private equity firms favour Asia’s consumer sector

01 Feb 2010 M&A, Private equity
Several consumer-based deals came to market last week, including the sale of South Korean store chain Buy The Way in the largest private equity buy-out this year. Further activity can be expected, writes Mergermarket.
Asia-Pacific private equity pipeline

01 Feb 2010 M&A, Private equity
In collaboration with Mergermarket, asiamoney.com presents a list of announced private equity transactions that are in the pipeline in the Asia-Pacific region.
Asia’s IPO pipeline expected to thin out

01 Feb 2010 Stock & exchange, Nations & economies
Signs of consolidation in global equity markets, combined with a string of disappointing regional debuts, is forecast to slow Asia’s IPO pipeline down in the near term. But bankers expect activity to pick up before 2010 is through.
Senior China banker in split with Sarasin-Rabo

29 Jan 2010 Market move, Private banking
Stella Kong has parted company with Sarasin-Rabo in acrimonious circumstances, asiamoney.com has learned. She had spent almost two years as its vice-chairwoman, Greater China, and is now rumoured to be joining Standard Chartered.
Business news: the past week in Asia

29 Jan 2010 Nations & economies, Market wrap
Bank of China revealed plans to sell US$5.8 billion in convertible bonds, while Chinese regulators ordered a suspension in new loans. Shares in UC Rusal fell on their Hong Kong debut, while CVC Capital Partners agreed what would be Indonesia’s largest private equity deal.
ING’s asset management arm names Asian CIO

29 Jan 2010 Asset management, Market move
ING Investment Management has promoted Pranay Gupta as chief investment officer for Asia-Pacific, based in Hong Kong. The asset manager falls under the insurance group of businesses that ING has vowed to divest by 2013.
Further decoupling forecast for Asian nations

28 Jan 2010 Stock & exchange, Nations & economies, Asset management
Increasing domestic demand will see Asian economies continue to decouple from developed countries as the region becomes less dependent on exports, notes UK-based fund manager Aberdeen Asset Management.
Rapid rush back to prime broking prompts warning

28 Jan 2010 Hedge funds, Investment banking, Market move
The revival of Asia’s hedge fund industry has boosted the fortunes of prime brokers. But market participants say the rapid rush to expand in this area might backfire, given that the speed of recovery remains uncertain.
Nomura names co-head of Asia bank research

27 Jan 2010 Stock & exchange, Broking, Market move
The Japanese bank Nomura has appointed Lucy Feng as managing director and co-head of regional bank research for Asia ex-Japan. She joins from Deutsche Bank, where she worked in a similar role.
Deutsche targets growth in trade and export finance

27 Jan 2010 Nations & economies, Project finance, Market move
The German bank has hired Paul Gardner from RBS as its Asia-Pacific head of structured trade and export finance, based in Singapore. It also expects to announce more appointments soon in an area it views with optimism.
Bankers see investor shift towards commodities

27 Jan 2010 Stock & exchange, Structured products, Nations & economies, Commodities, Private banking
Emerging market economies offered strong returns last year, but bankers are touting commodities as a potential trend for 2010. Given the likelihood of price volatility and seasonality, they expect investor education lies in store.
Morgan Stanley sees yield for credit investors

26 Jan 2010 Bonds, Loans
The bank urges investors to target credits from financial institutions, with valuations compelling in some cases, as well as high-yield bonds, which are increasingly attractive because of improving credit conditions.
Citi strategists see the value of health care

26 Jan 2010 Stock & exchange, Nations & economies, Commodities, Foreign exchange
The US bank is advising clients to seize on opportunities in the health-care sector on the back of structural changes and long-term underperformance. It likes global real estate too, but points to potential risks in recovery.
BNY Mellon targets regional broker-dealer segment

26 Jan 2010 Stock & exchange, Asset management, Market move
The US-based financial services firm adds David Brown as vice-president for broker-dealer global sales in its Hong Kong office. He will be responsible for selling the firm’s broker-dealer capabilities to clients in Asia-Pacific.
US-based asset manager makes Hong Kong hire

25 Jan 2010 Asset management, Market move
American Century Investments named Elizabeth Trinh from Macquarie Bank as vice-president in its Hong Kong office. The firm is striving to build up its Asian presence.
Asia-Pacific private equity pipeline

25 Jan 2010 M&A, Private equity
In collaboration with Mergermarket, asiamoney.com presents a list of announced private equity deals that are in the pipeline in the Asia-Pacific region.
Property firms anchor Asia’s M&A market

25 Jan 2010 M&A, Stock & exchange, Bonds, League table
A raft of property-related deals buoyed M&A volumes, while Chinese firms dominated debt markets, and equity markets stayed steady. Asiamoney.com rounds up last week’s capital market activity in Asia-Pacific ex-Japan.
BoA-ML makes senior rates and currencies hire

25 Jan 2010 Foreign exchange, Market move
The US bank has taken on Vinit Sahni from Goldman Sachs as regional head of flow rates and currencies sales. He will also be global head of hedge fund and central bank sales for rates and currencies.
Nomura highlights tale of two recoveries

25 Jan 2010 Stock & exchange, Nations & economies
Economic growth will remain divided between developed countries, which are likely to continue a weak recovery, and emerging market economies, which will forge ahead with a strong recovery, say economists at Nomura.
Private equity firms focus on fundraising

25 Jan 2010 M&A, Private equity
A paltry total of three private equity deals in Asia-Pacific last week suggests that many prospective buyers are busy raising capital and waiting for further signs of global economic recovery before entering the marketplace.
HSBC names Anita Fung in expanded role

25 Jan 2010 Private equity, Investment banking, Asset management, Market move
The bank appoints Anita Fung as its Asia-Pacific head of Global Banking and Markets in what is a newly formed role. She will take care of regional corporate and investment banking, as well as asset management.
Executive outlines trends in currencies, commodities

24 Jan 2010 Stock & exchange, Commodities, Foreign exchange
Johann Santer of Superfund Financial expects stronger trends to emerge in currencies and commodities, helping managed futures strategies in 2010. He is bullish on countries that stand to gain from rising commodity prices.
Barclays Wealth sees value in likely M&A trend

21 Jan 2010 M&A, Stock & exchange, Commodities, Foreign exchange
The wealth manager says the environment is ripe for M&A since firms with strong balance sheets can borrow at record low rates. It also sees value in non-cyclical equities, renminbi appreciation and shorting gold.
Demand for derivatives bankers hots up

21 Jan 2010 Stock & exchange, Structured products, Market move
After two years of sitting on the sidelines, structured products bankers are back in vogue, with institutions increasingly looking to bulk up. Smaller firms will need to get their skates on if they want to attract the top talent.
Wealth managers return to in-house products

20 Jan 2010 Stock & exchange, Bonds, Private banking
Private wealth management institutions increased aggregate allocation to in-house products to 40% last year, a rise of 12 percentage points, a survey has found. It comes as firms seek to bolster diminishing margins.
Hong Kong tipped to remain top IPO market in 2010

20 Jan 2010 Stock & exchange, Nations & economies
Firms from China and elsewhere are queuing up to debut in the city, attracted by its low interest-rate environment and relatively low volatility. Sun Hung Kai Financial argues a rise in IPOs could even alleviate surplus liquidity.
Opinion: Asia needs to cultivate green financial products

20 Jan 2010 Editorial, Commodities, Energy
Environmentally themed investment products have yet to take off in Asia-Pacific. This is a rare opportunity for asset managers and investment banks to get a foothold in a relatively untapped market. It would be unwise to miss it.
Regulatory regime tipped to alter hedge fund landscape

19 Jan 2010 Stock & exchange, Hedge funds, Nations & economies, Asset management
Stringent regulatory requirements could make hedge funds more expensive to manage and may force firms to change location. A research house has picked potential winners and losers among industry strategies this year.
India’s Avendus hires Kapadia as private wealth head

19 Jan 2010 Market move, Private banking
Financial services firm Avendus Capital has appointed Nikhil Kapadia from Deutsche Bank to be chief executive of its private wealth management business. He returns to Mumbai after less than a year in Singapore.
Carbon market tipped to contract in 2010

19 Jan 2010 Nations & economies, Commodities, Energy
A fall in carbon trading and stablisation of prices is expected to cause the global carbon market to contract this year. Widespread recession led to subdued appetite for carbon products, which in turn weighed on prices.
Regional rebound forecast for samurai bond market

19 Jan 2010 Bonds
Debt bankers highlight signs that Asia-Pacific’s samurai bond market is opening up having floundered after the 2008 collapse of Lehman Brothers. They expect activity to be more pronounced this year.
BarCap adds regional head of equity sales

19 Jan 2010 Investment banking, Market move
Barclays Capital names Anthony Davies as a managing director and head of equity sales for non-Japan Asia. He will be based in Hong Kong and joins from Merrill Lynch, where he was head of Pacific Rim equity distribution.
Veteran Harvey set for Credit Suisse return

19 Jan 2010 Asset management, Market move
The firm has appointed its former investment banking head Neil Harvey as managing director in charge of Asia-Pacific and emerging markets globally for its asset management business, effective from February 1.
Credit Suisse highlights the merits of going green

18 Jan 2010 Stock & exchange, Energy, Private banking
Its private banking division has established a research institute to identify big picture trends shaping the future. Highlighting appealing valuations, it makes a compelling argument for making renewable energy investments.
Citi surprises market with Morrison appointment

18 Jan 2010 Investment banking, Market move
The US bank names former Morgan Stanley chairman and CEO Alasdair Morrison as senior advisor for its Asia business in a newly created role. He has been tasked with helping to drive expansion in its regional investment banking business.
Asian markets cough up just two deals of note

18 Jan 2010 M&A, Stock & exchange, Investment banking, Bonds, League table
India’s GTL Infrastructure moves to more than double its network of towers, while Westpac prices a Samurai bond. Asiamoney.com rounds up what was an otherwise slow week for capital market activity in Asia ex-Japan.
Asia ex-Japan equity funds see record inflow

16 Jan 2010 Stock & exchange, Nations & economies
Overseas investors poured into regional equities in Asia ex-Japan last year as funds recorded their largest ever inflow, according to Macquarie research. Emerging market funds globally also hit a new high.
Business news: the past week in Asia

15 Jan 2010 Market wrap
The Obama administration urges other nations to impose a levy on financial institutions. Meanwhile, China sees exports rise and Beijing raises the bank reserve requirement ratio and approves stock market reforms. Also, speculation mounts over the future of Japan Airlines.
Indian, renewable assets attract private equity interest

15 Jan 2010 M&A, Private equity
Three acquisitions came to the Indian market in the past week. The only other deal was in renewable energy, highlighting perhaps where private equity firms think the action will be in 2010, writes Mergermarket.
LGT urges equity investors to wait for Fed action

14 Jan 2010 Stock & exchange, Commodities, Bonds, Foreign exchange, Private banking
The wealth manager advises clients to stay fully invested in equities as governments and central banks will do whatever is necessary to avoid a deflationary or double-dip scenario. It doesn't expect the Fed to tighten in 2010.
Asia expansion sees Houlihan Lokey hire Chen

14 Jan 2010 Investment banking, Market move
US boutique investment bank Houlihan Lokey has named Bing Chen a Hong Kong managing director for financial advisory services. It says it is aiming to increase its China presence strongly as part of a regional expansion.
Debt investors advised to do deeper due diligence

14 Jan 2010 Bonds, Loans
Ferrier Hodgson, an accountancy firm specialising in insolvency, notes some investors have wrongly assumed they are senior creditors, and have paid the price. The firm urges them to look beyond standard due diligence.
StanChart Private Bank appoints global head of trust

13 Jan 2010 Market move, Private banking
Standard Chartered Private Bank has named Mark Jackman as global head of its trust and fiduciary business. Previously he was Asia head for Rothschild Private Banking & Trust.
Deutsche hire points to optimism over securitisation

13 Jan 2010 Securitisation, Market move
Deutsche Bank names Sal Mirran as head of residential mortgage-backed securities for Asia-Pacific. He told asiamoney.com he sees potential for securitisation in the region because of its demographics, growth prospects and housing fundamentals.
Asia tipped to dominate depositary receipt industry

13 Jan 2010 Stock & exchange, Nations & economies
Asian issuers of depositary receipts made up the majority of deals globally last year, a report finds. The region is tipped to continue dominating this year as investors seek to tap into its rebound from the financial crisis.
Strong foreign equity flows forecast for Asia

12 Jan 2010 Nations & economies, Foreign exchange
Foreign investors will continue to focus on growth prospects and currency appreciation, notes Calyon. China is expected to resume renminbi appreciation soon, which could spur other Asian nations to follow suit.
J.P. Morgan Private Bank to relocate global head to Asia

12 Jan 2010 Market move, Private banking
Doug Wurth is set to relocate from New York to Hong Kong as head of international private banking for J.P. Morgan. The move follows an unsettling period for the US private bank, which has had several regional departures.
Asia-Pacific private equity pipeline

12 Jan 2010 M&A, Private equity
In collaboration with mergermarket, asiamoney.com presents a list of announced private equity deals which are in the pipeline in the Asia-Pacific region.
Asia private equity buy-outs start year quietly

12 Jan 2010 M&A, Private equity
Deal activity in Asia’s private equity arena began lightly last week, with just five transactions worth a total of US$176 million, writes mergermarket.
Crude oil prices forecast to be volatile in 2010

11 Jan 2010 Nations & economies, Commodities, Energy
Barclays Capital believes oil will trade between US$70 and US$100 a barrel this year. It suspects prices could remain elevated as a restocking cycle begins, although Opec is likely to step in if prices move too quickly.
Nomura names regional investment banking heads

11 Jan 2010 Investment banking, Market move
The bank has made Patrick Schmitz-Morkramer and Colin Banfield heads of investment banking for Asia ex-Japan. They succeed Glenn Schiffman, who moves to New York as the firm’s head of investment banking for the Americas.
Australian and Korean issuers start 2010 in a rush

11 Jan 2010 M&A, Stock & exchange, Bonds
Asia-Pacific ex-Japan’s debt capital markets got off to a flying start this year, with Australian financial institutions and Korean corporate leading issuance. M&A activity was also buoyant, while equity markets were quiet. We round up last week’s regional capital market business.
UBS names Marx as country team head in Singapore

08 Jan 2010 Market move, Private banking
The Swiss bank has hired Reto Marx as country team head for south Asia ultra-high-net-worth business in Singapore. He starts in May, having parted company with Sarasin in October as its south-east Asia head.
Opinion: why Asia’s airline industry must consolidate

08 Jan 2010 M&A, Nations & economies
The move by AirAsia and Jetstar to form an alliance to cut costs is widely regarded as shrewd given the present economic climate. But further consolidation is needed if the ailing industry is to avoid an outbreak of bankruptcies.
UBS takes positive view on cyclical conditions

07 Jan 2010 Stock & exchange, Research report
Niall MacLeod, Asia equity strategist for UBS Investment Research, expects the Asian liquidity thesis – loose monetary policy pushing up Asian asset prices – to remain in place, with returns driven by earnings growth.
Credit Suisse Private Banking outlines 2010 upside

07 Jan 2010 Stock & exchange, Nations & economies, Commodities, Private banking
The division is retaining an overweight on non-Japan equities, with indices in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea offering the most potential. It also expects the renminbi to appreciate up to 5% during the year.
RBS hires head of Asia-Pacific retail structuring

07 Jan 2010 Structured products, Market move
The Royal Bank of Scotland has appointed Richard Harman to manage its regional teams selling structured products to retail investors. He joins from Citi, where he spent nine years based in Hong Kong and Tokyo.
Stay invested during quiet first quarter, urges HSBC

06 Jan 2010 Stock & exchange, Commodities, Energy, Bonds, Foreign exchange, Private banking
Arjuna Mahendran, Asia head of investment strategy for HSBC Private Bank, sees 2010 as a year of three halves: a quiet first quarter followed by a potential bull-run and then renewed tightening by central banks at the end.
Credit Suisse bolsters Asia-Pacific fixed income business

06 Jan 2010 Bonds, Broking, Market move
The bank makes two senior appointments in Hong Kong, re-hiring Atsushi Mizuno from Bank of Japan and relocating Bunt Ghosh from London. It is striving to grow its fixed income teams in the region by over 20% in 2010.
BEA ‘less likely to be acquired’ after share issues

06 Jan 2010 M&A, Stock & exchange
Bank of East Asia’s share issues to Criteria CaixaCorp and Sumitomo Mitsui make it less likely to be a hostile takeover target, say analysts. Yet further stake increases by shareholders may trigger more M&A speculation.
Strategist sees 18% upside for Asian equities in 2010

06 Jan 2010 Stock & exchange, Research report
Jonathan Garner, Morgan Stanley’s chief Asian and emerging market equity strategist, says he expects a shift to a more micro market this year. He reveals the bank’s stock market predictions for 2010.
Gammons quits Citi to join BoA-Merrill

05 Jan 2010 Private equity, Market move
Veteran private equity banker Chris Gammons is set to join Bank of America-Merrill Lynch in March as head of its financial sponsor business for Asia-Pacific ex-Japan. It is widely regarded as a coup for the bank.
Asia-Pacific M&A volumes buck 2009 trend

05 Jan 2010 M&A, Energy
M&A in the region rose 9% during 2009 to total US$493.1 billion, according to Dealogic data. China overtook Australia as the region's most targeted nation, while Goldman Sachs topped the M&A advisory league tables.
Outlining opportunities for investors in 2010

05 Jan 2010 Stock & exchange, Nations & economies, Research report
Sean Darby, Asia equity strategist at Nomura, considers which countries and sectors offer the most potential this year and which face the largest challenges.
2009 syndicated loan volume falls least in Asia-Pacific

05 Jan 2010 Loans
The region saw the smallest drop in volume of any region globally in 2009 to US$484.8 billion, according to Dealogic figures. But exclude Japan, and US dollar-denominated loans accounted for their lowest proportion on record.
Asia at risk of 1990s-style asset bubble, warns Nomura

04 Jan 2010 Stock & exchange, Nations & economies
The bank believes Asian central banks will maintain loose monetary policy for longer than is warranted, raising the risk of asset bubbles forming. It recommends investors look to south-east Asian equity markets for value.
Credit Suisse unveils Asia’s most undervalued markets

04 Jan 2010 Stock & exchange, Nations & economies, Research report
Sakthi Siva, the bank’s Asia equity strategist, considers which countries and sectors offer the most potential and which face the greatest challenges this year.
Heavyweight banking trio top 2009 tables

04 Jan 2010 M&A, Stock & exchange, Investment banking, Bonds
UBS, Deutsche Bank and Morgan Stanley finished last year as the top bookrunners for Asia ex-Japan equity, debt and M&A transactions, according to Dealogic data.

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