Asiamoney - Equity

Equity

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BarCap bulks up Asia equity research team

01 Sep 2010 Broking, Market move
The UK investment bank announced six appointments to its regional equity research team, as it aims to expand in the equities market in Asia.
Asia-Pacific private equity pipeline

30 Aug 2010 Private equity
In collaboration with mergermarket, asiamoney.com presents a list of private equity transactions that have been announced in the Asia-Pacific region.
M&A remains vibrant amid lacklustre markets

30 Aug 2010 M&A, Stock & exchange, Bonds, League table
While signs are slowly emerging that equity and bond markets are beginning to recover from their August issuance lows, M&A activity remains by far the most vibrant area for new deal flow.
Study finds variations in algo performance

27 Aug 2010 Stock & exchange
An analysis of algorithm transactions carried out by trading technology provider Tora discovered a weaker performance from Singapore and Hong Kong than Japan. Levels of liquidity and volatility were key factors for the difference in performance.
World has 33% chance of economic double dip: S&P

27 Aug 2010 Stock & exchange, Nations & economies
The financial services agency’s chief economist David Wyss believes there remains a one in three chance that the world could slip back into a double-dip. He thinks that sovereign credit woes in Europe or financial sector problems would be the most likely culprits.
HSBC hires six in renewed enthusiasm for equities

25 Aug 2010 Broking, Market move
The UK bank has hired six people into different Asian markets to bolster its cash equities coverage. It is part of HSBC's latest drive to build its regional equities capabilities, following several failed attempts before.
How Australia’s hung parliament will impact markets

24 Aug 2010 Stock & exchange, Nations & economies, Bonds, Foreign exchange
The uncertain general election result is likely to lead to short-term weakening of the Australian dollar and widening bond yields, but that will not last. As it becomes clearer which party is set to take power the stocks of different industries stand to be affected.
Asia markets report muted week for fundraising

23 Aug 2010 M&A, Stock & exchange, Bonds, League table
Primary activity in Asia Pacific ex-Japan’s equity and debt capital markets plunged last week, with few deals of note. Mercifully the M&A market enjoyed a doubling in deal volumes. Asiamoney.com reviews last week’s regional market activity.
UBS reels in Wei Cai to replace Henry Cai

20 Aug 2010 Stock & exchange, Investment banking, Market move
The Swiss bank has hired Wei Cai from Morgan Stanley to replace the recently departed Henry Cai. While he lacks the lengthy track record of his predecessor, the new Cai will help bolster the bank's equity capital markets credentials on the mainland.
Asia-Pacific private equity pipeline

20 Aug 2010 Private equity
In collaboration with mergermarket, asiamoney.com presents a list of private equity transactions that have been announced in the Asia-Pacific region.
Deutsche Bank adds Asian equity strategy team

18 Aug 2010 Stock & exchange, Market move
The German bank has appointed former hedge fund founder Ajay Kapur as head of Asian equity strategy in Hong Kong, along with Priscilla Luk and Ritesh Samadhiya. The trio all previously worked for Mirae Asset Securities.
Banks go for broke in cash equities expansion frenzy

17 Aug 2010 Broking, Market move
Asia has witnessed a year of frenzied hiring from many investment banks and brokers, but underlying markets are having a woeful year. It paints a bleak picture for revenues.
Regional capital-raising given China boost

16 Aug 2010 M&A, Stock & exchange, Investment banking, Bonds, League table
China Everbright launched the country’s second largest IPO this year to support Asian equity markets, while renminbi bond issuance dominated. Asiamoney.com rounds up last week’s regional capital market activity.
Macquarie hires Asia equity derivatives bankers

16 Aug 2010 Stock & exchange, Structured products, Market move
The Australian bank is aggressively expanding in equity derivatives, hiring six senior personnel to bulk out its capabilities. The additions follow the recent appointment of Todd Steinberg as global head of equity derivatives.
Asia-Pacific private equity pipeline

13 Aug 2010 M&A, Private equity
In collaboration with mergermarket, asiamoney.com presents a list of private equity transactions that have been announced in the Asia-Pacific region.
Japan’s derivatives market tipped to expand

11 Aug 2010 Structured products, Broking
The introduction of the Arrowhead trading platform and the planned consolidation of the country’s exchanges should make the country’s derivatives market more competitive against regional counterparts, according to brokerage firm Newedge Group.
Goldman hires top commodities analyst from Deutsche

11 Aug 2010 Investment banking, Broking, Market move
The US investment bank has appointed Julian Zhu as a managing director for commodities equity research. He is set to join after a period of gardening leave, and fills a post left vacant when Song Shen left the bank in March.
CLSA sees full renminbi convertibility in five years

11 Aug 2010 Nations & economies, Foreign exchange, Broking
Amar Gill, head of thematic research at the Asia brokerage believes the country could make its currency fully convertible in five years time, leading Hong Kong to peg the Hong Kong dollar to the renminbi.
Citi strengthens convertible bond franchise

10 Aug 2010 Stock & exchange, Bonds
The bank adds a trio of senior staff in Asia-Pacific in response to what it says has been an increase in flows across its convertible desk. It has also added two in London to support clients investing in Asian CBs outside the region.
Asia-Pacific private equity pipeline

09 Aug 2010 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.
Flurry of IPOs highlight upturn in China stock market

09 Aug 2010 M&A, Stock & exchange, Bonds, League table
Five of the top 10 ECM deals last week were IPOs out of China, underlining the recent rally in China’s stock market. The region’s debt and M&A markets also both improved. Asiamoney.com rounds up last week’s market activity.
Nomura adds five equity analysts in Australia

07 Aug 2010 Broking, Market move
The Japanese bank has moved to further strengthen its impressive regional equity research business by adding five new analysts in Sydney. The appointments reflect the bank’s ambition to become a top-notch broker in Australia.
Banks face shortage of available talent in Asia

07 Aug 2010 Investment banking, Broking, Market move
Regional banks are finding it increasingly challenging to fill the increase in job vacancies because of a lack of available candidates and intensifying competition to hire top talent, according to eFinancialCareers.
China GDP slowdown fails to deter private equity

07 Aug 2010 Private equity
Three private equity transactions were executed in China last week, despite the continued emergence of data suggesting that the country’s economic expansion is slowing. It highlights the continued appeal of the country in the face of such news, writes mergermarket.
Citi hires first equities staff for Indonesia

04 Aug 2010 Broking, Market move
The US bank has appointed Hasan Ukim as head of equities sales and Santy Tandiana as a salesperson for its equity broking operations in Indonesia. The appointments follow Citi receiving a licence to operate in the country last month.
China H-shares may benefit from earnings pessimism

03 Aug 2010 Stock & exchange
Despite performing badly in the first half of the year shares of Chinese companies listed in Hong Kong should begin to do better because earnings expectations for the rest of the year are so low, according to Australian investment bank Macquarie.
Citi hires Smith to run Asia electronic execution product

03 Aug 2010 Stock & exchange, Broking, Market move
The US bank has snatched Ian Smith from Credit Suisse to be its head of electronic execution product for Asia Pacific. The bank is keen to improve in this area and is targeting a top-three position in the region within a year.
Asia-Pacific private equity pipeline

02 Aug 2010 Private equity, League table
In collaboration with mergermarket, asiamoney.com presents a list of announced private equity transactions that are in the pipeline in the Asia-Pacific region.
Credit Suisse names head of prime services in Japan

02 Aug 2010 Broking, Market move
The bank has internally appointed Myo Schollum to bolster its sales and marketing activities in Tokyo. He was previously Credit Suisse’s head of prime services coverage in Singapore, a role now taken up by Joseph Leckie.
Transition management tipped to grow in Asia

02 Aug 2010 Cash management, Interviews, Broking
Credit Suisse’s head of transition management in Asia-Pacific, Tom Wyse, says he is expecting a rise in activity over the next six-to-12 months, having recently noted an increasing number of requests for proposals.
Beverage deals whet Asia’s private equity appetite

30 Jul 2010 M&A, Private equity
Stake sales in two Asian beverage firms over the past week are likely to be the tip of the iceberg when it comes to prospective private equity transactions in this segment, with a strong regional pipeline stretching out in the second half of this year, writes Mergermarket.
Carlyle Group closes renminbi fund and China JV

30 Jul 2010 Private equity
Private equity firm Carlyle Group has closed its first renminbi-denominated fund, which will target investments in large growth Chinese companies. The firm has also set up a joint-venture with Beijing’s largest state-owned enterprise.
A week in Asia’s business news

29 Jul 2010 M&A, Stock & exchange, Market wrap
China’s bank regulator warns that 23% of last year’s loans to local government vehicles could go sour, Citic Group looks to IPO in Hong Kong, Panasonic aims to buy out minority shareholders of two entities and New Delhi approves a sale of 20% of its largest electricity grid provider.
Asia investors dipping into dark pools, says Liquidnet

28 Jul 2010 Stock & exchange, Broking
Dark pool provider Liquidnet enjoyed a surge in trading volumes in Asia during the first half. The company says Asian investors are become increasingly comfortable with using alternative trading venues as they lose their stigma.
Healthcare buy-outs dominate deal activity

26 Jul 2010 Private equity
Private equity buyouts of healthcare companies in Australia and New Zealand, plus a minority stake in Japan dominated last week’s activity. The pipeline looks vibrant too, although general partners may take a short break in early August, writes mergermarket.
Asia-Pacific private equity pipeline

26 Jul 2010 Private equity, League table
In collaboration with mergermarket, asiamoney.com presents a list of announced private equity transactions that are in the pipeline in the Asia-Pacific region.
Jefferies grabs senior CLSA equities duo in Asia push

26 Jul 2010 Broking, Market move
The upstart US investment bank is on a regional build-out, and has begun by hiring Michael Alexander, CLSA's global head of equity sales and trading, and Chris Schutte, its head of hedge fund sales.
M&A activity offers ray of hope for Asia’s markets

26 Jul 2010 M&A, Stock & exchange, Bonds
There was a dispiriting slump in Asia ex-Japan’s equity and debt markets last week, with follow-on equity offerings almost half of the previous week’s. Nevertheless, regional M&A dealmaking has rallied 20% so far in 2010 year-on-year.
A week in Asia's business news

23 Jul 2010 M&A, Stock & exchange, Real estate, Nations & economies, Market wrap
Agricultural Bank of China's IPO debut is disappointing, San Miguel aims to sell a large minority stake in its Pure Foods business, while Fortis Healthcare fights Malaysia's Khazanah for healthcare group Parkway of Singapore.
Opinion: AIG’s dithering shows it pays to be decisive

22 Jul 2010 Stock & exchange, Editorial
AIG’s indecision over how best to sell out of its AIA unit may come back to haunt the US insurer now that it has returned to its original plan of floating the life insurance business in Hong Kong.
China’s A-shares emboldened by strong earnings

22 Jul 2010 Stock & exchange
The country’s local stocks have had a woeful year so far but impressive earnings and a shift in its economic fundamentals could help propel them to growth. Its small cap market has already performed very well.
Time to turn positive on China again, CLSA says

22 Jul 2010 Stock & exchange
Global investors should consider increasing their holdings of Chinese equities given that valuations are cheap and as policy tightening wanes, according to CLSA. The brokerage singles out China’s banking sector in anticipation of a surge in new loan growth.
Beijing’s economic reorientation to benefit stocks

20 Jul 2010 Stock & exchange, Nations & economies, Foreign exchange, Asset management
The asset management company believes that China’s wage hikes, inflation, and slowing GDP growth are part of a larger plan by Beijing to re-orientate the country’s economy. It believes selective sectors will benefit in the medium term. Karina Vachani reports.
Private equity fund aspirations in Asia face obstacles

19 Jul 2010 Private equity
The global financial crisis prompted private equity firms to target Asia’s growing economies for investment. But cultural challenges mean that opportunities are slim, while talented professionals are few and far between. Private equity funds must demonstrate exactly what value they provide to succeed.
Mongolian firms seek US$3 billion in Hong Kong IPOs

19 Jul 2010 Stock & exchange
Hong Kong listings of Mongolian-focused companies could raise up to US$3 billion within the next three years, according to Eurasia Capital.
BarCap bristles at criticism of its China capabilities

19 Jul 2010 M&A, Stock & exchange, Investment banking, Interviews
Asia-Pacific investment banking head Matthew Ginsburg vehemently rejects unflattering comments about the UK institution’s strength in China. But he knows that deepening the bank’s coverage of the country is key for regional success, as recent hires indicate. Peter McGill reports.
Opinion: How Henry Cai's move affects Deutsche and UBS

19 Jul 2010 Stock & exchange, Investment banking, Editorial
The China rainmaker has been lured to the German bank after months of wooing. It will hope he can build the Chinese capabilities it needs, while his departure from UBS will put its strength and depth in China coverage to the test.
Lyxor starts Australian dollar fund to tap China A-shares

19 Jul 2010 Stock & exchange, Foreign exchange, Asset management
The asset management company announced today (July 19) the launch of a new Australian dollar-denominated guaranteed fund focused on the performance of China’s A-share market to help investors diversify their portfolios.
Citi names Andersson to head equity derivative sales

19 Jul 2010 Stock & exchange, Structured products, Market move
The US firm announced the appointment of Paul Andersson as head of pan-Asia equity derivative and convertible sales. It also promoted Nick Smith to become head of regional convertible bonds. Karina Vachani reports.
China dominates Asian private equity activity

17 Jul 2010 Private equity
A new report shows that China is increasingly dominating private equity activity across the region. Overall private equity fundraising in Asia is also bucking the global trend.
Clean tech investments set to soar in second half

17 Jul 2010 Private equity, Commodities
Private equity interest in clean technologies is rising fast. A vicious spate of consolidation in China's solar- and wind-energy industries and rising demand to expand from Indian businesses should propel many more investment opportunities, reports mergermarket.
Asia-Pacific private equity pipeline

17 Jul 2010 Private equity, League table
In collaboration with mergermarket, asiamoney.com presents a list of announced private equity transactions that are in the pipeline in the Asia-Pacific region.
China the top investment for next decade: Fidelity

15 Jul 2010 Stock & exchange, Asset management
Well-known contrarian investor Anthony Bolton says China remains the investment opportunity of the next decade after he relocated to Hong Kong from London earlier this year to manage Fidelity International’s China equities fund.
BNY Mellon aims to expand broker-dealer services

14 Jul 2010 Cash management, Interviews, Broking, Market move
The US financial services institution has relocated Michael Schroeder from New York to become regional manager for broker-dealer services in Asia. The move is part of a broader plan to build the division by up to 20% in 12 months. By Karina Vachani.
India and China dominate GDR volumes

13 Jul 2010 Stock & exchange
The two countries are dominating global depositary receipt offerings, having accounted for 34 of the 44 equity issues of this type executed in the first half of 2010, according to a new report from BNY Mellon.
Hong Kong population Asia’s most affluent, says HSBC

13 Jul 2010 Stock & exchange, Bonds, Private banking
A survey commissioned by the UK-headquartered bank says that the city’s affluent people are on average the wealthiest in Asia, but that Taiwan’s well-to-do are the most vigorous investors in equities.
Asian private equity hopes for secondary buyout boom

12 Jul 2010 Private equity
The success of three secondary buyouts in Asia-Pacific’s private equity industry is raising hopes that conditions are returning to normal. But deal sizes are unlikely to return to the massive levels last enjoyed in 2008, writes mergermarket.
Asia-Pacific private equity pipeline

12 Jul 2010 Private equity, League table
In collaboration with mergermarket, asiamoney.com presents a list of announced private equity transactions that are in the pipeline in the Asia-Pacific region.
Stanchart hires Simon Brookhouse to head global equities

12 Jul 2010 Broking, Market move
The emerging markets-focused bank has hired the veteran banker to run both the cash and derivatives parts of its equities business from Hong Kong. He joins from boutique UK investment bank Execution Noble.
ABC IPO dominates regional ECM volume

12 Jul 2010 M&A, Stock & exchange, Bonds, League table
Regional equity issuance surges to US$20.4 billion last week, mostly because of the eagerly anticipated IPO of Agricultural Bank of China. Asiamoney.com rounds up last week’s capital markets activity.
Asian equities likely to stay stuck in a rut, HSBC says

12 Jul 2010 Stock & exchange
Stocks in Asia are unlikely to rise much in the second half of the year, given a poor outlook for earnings and valuations that are no longer as cheap as other emerging markets, according to HSBC.
StanChart hires Welch to head cash equities sales

09 Jul 2010 Broking, Market wrap
The UK bank announced the appointment of Tom Welch as its new global head of cash equities sales. He joins from Deutsche Bank and will be based in Hong Kong.
BTIG’s new Asia-Pac CEO aims to double revenue

09 Jul 2010 Interviews, Broking
Jesse Lentchner, the new Asia-Pacific CEO of brokerage firm BTIG, is on the lookout to hire new talent in order to grow his business and double regional revenue within 18 months.
Opinion: Iron ore swaps offer a unique opportunity

09 Jul 2010 Editorial, Commodities, Broking
Regional demand for iron ore swaps is on the rise, leaving banks and brokers with no time to waste if they want to build their expertise and become market leaders.
Hong Kong IPOs tipped to exceed HK$330 billion

06 Jul 2010 Stock & exchange
Despite the market volatility in the first half of the year, Hong Kong IPO volume could rise to HK$330 billion this year, according to projections from PricewaterhouseCoopers.
SHK Financial sees bull run in HK, China equities

06 Jul 2010 Stock & exchange
Global economic recovery concerns present a strong buying opportunity in Hong Kong and China equities for investors, according to Sun Hung Kai Financial. It believes a slowdown in Chinese growth will also spark a likely bull run.
Daiwa underpins Asia ambitions with KBC acquisition

05 Jul 2010 Structured products, Bonds, Broking
The Japanese bank has acquired the global convertible bonds and Asian equity derivatives businesses of Belgium’s KBC Group. The acquisition underlines its desire to build a genuinely capable business in the region.
Olympus Capital aims at Indonesia with Tata investment

05 Jul 2010 Private equity, Interviews
Asia-focused private equity firm Olympus Capital recently announced it was investing US$300 million in Tata Power. Olympus founder Daniel Mintz tells asiamoney.com the move is a bid to tap Indonesia’s growing coal industry.
ABC stake sales fuel rocketing M&A volumes

05 Jul 2010 M&A, Stock & exchange, Bonds, League table
Regional M&A volume nearly doubled last week as Chinese lender ABC sells strategic stakes and India’s GTL Infrastructure acquires towers. Asiamoney.com rounds up last week’s capital markets activity.
HKEx’s derivative hopes depend on renminbi reform

05 Jul 2010 Stock & exchange, Structured products
Hong Kong’s primary bourse wants to leverage on renminbi internationalisation to strengthen its derivatives business. But the currency needs to see many more changes before such hopes become realistic.
Karolinska Hospital PPP financial close

02 Jul 2010 M&A, Private equity
The 28.5 year project financing for the New Karolinska Solna University Hospital PPP - Sweden's first heathcare PPP - has closed.
Asia-Pacific private equity pipeline

02 Jul 2010 Private equity, League table
In collaboration with mergermarket, asiamoney.com presents a list of announced private equity transactions that are in the pipeline in the Asia-Pacific region.
No guarantees of private equity pick-up in second half

02 Jul 2010 M&A, Private equity
While a pick-up in private equity is widely expected in the second half of 2010, transactions will face challenges amid regulatory scrutiny. The expansion of the industry should not be taken as a given, writes mergermarket.
Fund managers clash on equity market outlook

01 Jul 2010 Stock & exchange, Asset management
The volatility of equity markets in recent weeks has led fund managers to differ over how to navigate the rest of the year. Fidelity International sees buying opportunities while Aberdeen Asset Management urges caution.
Dark pools to greatly deepen in Asia, says Nomura

29 Jun 2010 Broking
Robert Laible, head of Asia-Pacific electronic trading services at the Japanese investment bank believes that alternative crossing networks, or dark pools, will grow exponentially in the region as regulation catches up with the US and Europe.
Equity correction offers buying opportunity: Citi

29 Jun 2010 Stock & exchange
Asian equity markets could continue to fall in coming months before rebounding after September, predicts the US bank. It continues to favour stocks in Taiwan and South Korea.
Asian equities set to benefit from flexible renminbi

28 Jun 2010 Stock & exchange, Foreign exchange
China’s decision earlier this month to allow greater flexibility in its currency will have positive implications for equity markets across the region, according to a strategist at Daiwa Capital Markets.
Citi's private equity head spies Asian opportunity

28 Jun 2010 Private equity, Investment banking
The US bank’s newly appointed Asia-Pacific head of financial entrepreneurs group sees an increase in private equity investments in Asia as firms look to tap the region’s growth although challenges remain.
Asia-Pacific private equity pipeline

27 Jun 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.
Private equity on alert for next Asia growth phase

27 Jun 2010 M&A, Private equity
A surge in mid-market deals suggests general partners are starting to invest in Asia's upcoming growth phrase. They seem to be positioning themselves to benefit from bouts of forecast economic growth, writes mergermaket.
Daiwa poised to appoint Deutsche equity sales trio

25 Jun 2010 Stock & exchange, Investment banking, Broking, Market move
Daiwa Capital Markets is set to reveal the appointment of three Deutsche Bank veterans to its Asia ex-Japan equity sales team. Ravi Narain, Ricky Lo and May Tsang are expected to be unveiled at the Japanese bank next week.
Primus Financial eyes further acquisitions in Asia

24 Jun 2010 M&A, Private equity
Robert Morse, chairman of Primus Financial Holdings, says the private equity firm is keen to make further acquisitions in Asia and reiterates the company’s commitment to the stalled purchase of AIG’s Taiwan unit.
China currency reform could stir Asia risk appetite

24 Jun 2010 Stock & exchange, Bonds, Foreign exchange
Despite volatility in Asian financial markets over the past month, Barclays Capital remains positive on the region’s assets given the backdrop of economic growth and China’s decision to allow greater flexibility in its currency.
Turnover in warrants and CBBCs could rise: HSBC

23 Jun 2010 Stock & exchange
Investor interest in warrants and callable bull bear contracts could continue to rise this year, says HSBC. The bank notes range-bound Hong Kong equities mean drops in implied volatility, making warrants less expensive.
Foreign firms set to emulate StanChart’s IDR issue

22 Jun 2010 Stock & exchange
International businesses are likely to follow Standard Chartered’s trailblazing issuance of Indian depositary receipts last month as a means to access the country’s economic growth and capital markets, says BNY Mellon.
Invest in Asia's rising domestic consumption, says UBS

22 Jun 2010 Stock & exchange, Bonds, Private banking
Sustained levels of domestic consumption in Asia are expected to create interesting investment opportunities in equity and credit markets in the second half of this year. says UBS Wealth Management.
Renminbi revaluation will boost south-east Asia stocks

22 Jun 2010 Stock & exchange, Commodities
Commodities firms, some real estate companies and banks in south-east Asia should benefit from the rise in the renminbi’s value, says Citi.
UBS’ co-head of Asia equity derivatives trading dies

21 Jun 2010 Stock & exchange
Neil McCormick died in an accident in London over the weekend, asiamoney.com understands. He had been UBS’s co-head of Asia equity derivatives trading based in Hong Kong since September, alongside John Coffeng.
BarCap focuses on equity derivatives e-trading

21 Jun 2010 Stock & exchange, Structured products, Broking
UK investment bank Barclays Capital has launched its new COMET electronic trading platform in Asia in a bid to capture higher volumes of equity derivative and structured product trades and improve efficiency.
Pacific Alliance hires TPG’s Weijian Shan as CEO

21 Jun 2010 Private equity, Market move
The private equity company has appointed well-known executive Weijian Shan as its new chairman and chief executive, joining from TPG Asia. Additionally, Citi announced that Chris Laskowski will be returning to the region as head of its financial entrepreneurs group.
M&A helps lift comatose capital markets

21 Jun 2010 M&A, Stock & exchange, Bonds, League table
Although M&A activity was far lower than a few ago, it nonetheless helped boost the otherwise tepid capital markets in Asia Pacific ex-Japan.
Buy-out activity blossoms in India, South Korea

19 Jun 2010 M&A, Private equity
A spate of private equity buy-outs centred on India and South Korea this week, two economies that have posted bullish first-quarter results. Given the prospect of further growth, the outlook is very positive, writes mergermarket.
ETFs will expand in Asia, says Russell Investments

18 Jun 2010 Stock & exchange, Broking, Asset management
Index providers see rising opportunities in Asia as local investors increasingly seek exposure to stocks outside their home markets. Russell Investments believes it could lead to more exchange-traded funds.
Asia-Pacific private equity pipeline

18 Jun 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.
Limited partners aim to increase exposure to Asia-Pacific

17 Jun 2010 Private equity
Asia-Pacific’s strong growth prospects and regulatory certainty is attracting investors in private equity funds to the region.
Asian equities are oversold, says US fund manager

17 Jun 2010 Stock & exchange
Russell Investments, a US-based fund manager, says that the downturn of Asian equity markets over concerns about the European sovereign debt crisis and US economic recovery are overdone and marks a buying opportunity.
Daiwa seeks to quadruple Asia e-trading team

17 Jun 2010 Investment banking, Interviews, Broking
Punit Mittal, the global head of the Japanese bank’s electronic trading tells asiamoney.com that the firm plans to quadruple the staff at its e-trading unit as it aims to expand in Asia.
Asia investment banking fees hit half-year record

15 Jun 2010 M&A, Stock & exchange, Investment banking, Broking
Investment banking revenues earned in Asia have hit a record for the first half of the year two weeks before the end of June. The strong figures are a reflection of robust equity and debt issuance as well as cross-border mergers and acquisitions earlier in the year.
Inflation set to curtail Indian stock market returns

15 Jun 2010 Stock & exchange, Nations & economies
Analysts are turning bearish on Indian stocks after the latest government statistics revealed that inflation hit double figures in May, making further interest rate hikes more likely.
RBS identifies beneficiaries of China wage hikes

14 Jun 2010 Broking
Wendy Liu, head of China research at the Royal Bank of Scotland, has identified the main winners and losers of expected wage hikes for labourers in China in light of recent controversies and strikes at factories on the mainland.
Bank of China convertible bond lifts sluggish market

14 Jun 2010 M&A, Stock & exchange, Bonds
The Chinese lender’s Rmb40 billion convertible issue was the largest deal of the week, helping lift issuance. M&A activity was also strong, although debt markets remained weak. Asiamoney.com rounds up last week’s capital markets activity.
Carlyle Group plots Asia expansion

14 Jun 2010 Private equity
Private equity firm Carlyle Group says it is looking to make more investments to tap the domestically-driven economic growth in Asia after investing more than US$140 million in four new companies in the region.
A week in Asia's business news

11 Jun 2010 M&A, Stock & exchange, Investment banking, Nations & economies, Market wrap
Japan gets yet another prime minister, Agricultural Bank of China’s huge IPO looks likely to be smaller than expected, AT&T begins talks with Reliance Communications about buying a stake in the Indian company and New Zealand raises interest rates for the first time in three years.
AgBank set to launch US$20 billion IPO this month

10 Jun 2010 Stock & exchange
Agricultural Bank of China is set to launch its potentially record-breaking IPO later this month after receiving approval from regulators yesterday. Pre-marketing for the deal will begin next week before officially launching on June 24, according to sources.
Nomura tips Japanese stocks to outperform in 2010

10 Jun 2010 Broking
The investment bank predicts that undervalued Japanese stocks will outperform global equities as the country becomes the only major economy to continue easing monetary policy.
Buy emerging shares amid volatility, says AMP

10 Jun 2010 Broking, Asset management
Investors should look at markets with lower debt and better demographics as an increasingly volatile macro environment means lower gains in traditional markets, says the fund management company.
SocGen trebles Asia research with Japaninvest alliance

09 Jun 2010 Stock & exchange, Broking, Market move
French bank Société Générale has teamed up with Japaninvest Group in a trading and research alliance that effectively trebles the size of its regional research team to 25 analysts.
BoA-Merrill loses one senior sales trader, gains another

08 Jun 2010 Investment banking, Broking, Market move
Well-regarded sales trader Carter Ting has quit as a managing director of Bank of America-Merrill Lynch’s Hong Kong and China team, asiamoney.com can exclusively reveal. Separately, the US firm has hired Rebecca Fu as a sales trader from Knight Capital.
M&A deals buoyant amid turgid capital markets

07 Jun 2010 M&A, Stock & exchange, Bonds
Two competing bids for Healthscope sustained Asian M&A volumes, but the region’s equity was lukewarm for the second week running while the bond market had its worst seven-day period of issuance this year.
Best domestic bank awards: Thailand

07 Jun 2010 Stock & exchange, Bonds, Broking, Polls & awards
ASIAMONEY is pleased to announce the results of our best domestic bank awards for Thailand. Kasikornbank impresses for its concentration on small and medium enterprises amid volatile markets, Tisco Securities impresses with its quality of research, and Siam Commercial Bank stands out for strong debt coverage.
Asia-Pacific private equity pipeline

04 Jun 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 transport assets ignite private equity interest

04 Jun 2010 M&A, Private equity
Two acquisitions in the Asia transportation arena took place over the past week, highlighting the sector’s appeal to private equity players. Interested parties also abound on the buy-side, writes mergermarket.
Best domestic bank awards: South Korea

04 Jun 2010 Stock & exchange, Bonds, Broking
ASIAMONEY is pleased to announce the winners of our best domestic bank awards for South Korea. Shinhan Financial Group continues to gain the plaudits of market observers for its consistency, Samsung Securities' international aspirations also wins it admirers, and Woori Investment & Securities' bond issuance strength ensure it gets out best debt award.
RBS makes Ho ECM head after surprise Sturmey exit

03 Jun 2010 Stock & exchange, Investment banking, Market move
The Royal Bank of Scotland announced today (June 3) that it has promoted Stanley Ho to head of equity capital markets for Asia. He replaces John Sturmey, who returned to former employer UBS as co-head of Asia global capital markets.
Best domestic bank awards: Japan

03 Jun 2010 Stock & exchange, Bonds, Broking, Polls & awards
ASIAMONEY is pleased to announced the best domestic bank award winners for Japan. Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. just about stands out in a very weak field of local institutions. Nomura has no such difficulties in equity, easily rising above its rivals, while Mizuho Financial Group beats out stiff competition from the investment bank in debt.
Best domestic bank awards: Pakistan

03 Jun 2010 Stock & exchange, Bonds, Broking
ASIAMONEY is please to announce the winners of the best domestic bank awards for Pakistan. Allied Bank overcomes more traditional winners with its foresight to take the best local bank trophy. KASB retains its grip on the best equity house award, and InvestCap impresses for its experience in bonds sales and trading.
A week in Asia's business news

03 Jun 2010 M&A, Stock & exchange, Energy, Broking, Market wrap
Japan’s prime minister resigns as his popularity plummets, UK insurer Prudential walks away from bid for AIA, Standard Chartered completes offering of Indian Depositary Receipts in Mumbai, and Etisalat looks to buy a major stake in Reliance Telecommunications.
Tora looks to link Asia dark pools together

02 Jun 2010 Stock & exchange, Interviews, Broking
The trading technology provider aims to partner with other crossing networks in the region to give investors access to multiple dark pools from one platform. But competitors are sceptical of its ambitions.
Asia’s wealthy confident of global recovery, says survey

02 Jun 2010 Stock & exchange, Bonds, Asset management, Private banking
Optimism about the global economic recovery is more pervasive among wealthy Asians than peers in the west, a new survey has found. Investors in the region also view the responses of their respective governments to the crisis more positively.
Best domestic bank awards: China

02 Jun 2010 Stock & exchange, Bonds, Broking, Polls & awards
ASIAMONEY is pleased to announce the winners of our best domestic bank awards for China. China Merchants Bank takes the best bank prize due to its unique strategy and risk management, while CICC's equity strength win it our award in that sector and Citic Securities takes the best debt house gong for its diversity of clientele.
Best domestic bank awards: Singapore

02 Jun 2010 Stock & exchange, Bonds, Broking, Polls & awards
ASIAMONEY is pleased to announce the winners of the best domestic bank awards for Singapore. OCBC seizes the limelight for its growth into new lending areas and acquisition of ING's private bank assets, while DBS wins our other two awards for impressive equity and debt franchises.
Best domestic bank awards: Indonesia

01 Jun 2010 Stock & exchange, Bonds, Broking, Polls & awards
ASIAMONEY is please to announce the best domestic bank award winners for Indonesia. Bank Mandiri's fine performance is a fitting legacy for departed head Agus Martowardojo, while Danareksa Sekuritas maintains a strong equities trading presence and Bahana Securities impresses with its debt capabilities.
J.P. Morgan’s hedge fund services head eyes growth

01 Jun 2010 Cash management, Broking, Market move
The US bank is striving to build its hedge fund services business in Asia-Pacific to cater to rising demand among increasingly sophisticated funds. Its newly-appointed head for the region says that more hires are on the way.
Best domestic bank awards: Philippines

01 Jun 2010 Stock & exchange, Bonds, Broking
ASIAMONEY is please to announce the winners of our best domestic bank awards for the Philippines. Metrobank's willingness to strengthen its balance sheet ensures that it narrowly beats BDO for best bank, but BDO Capital & Investment Corp. takes the gongs for best equity and debt house, respectively.
Asia-Pacific private equity pipeline

31 May 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.
Best domestic bank awards: India

31 May 2010 Stock & exchange, Bonds, Polls & awards
ASIAMONEY is pleased to announce the winners of our annual best domestic bank awards. In India, HDFC Bank narrowly fended off Axis Bank to become the best local bank, but the latter’s powerful debt origination business won it the best debt house award. Plus Kotak Investment Banking seized a best equity house gong with a strong display.
Health-care arena stirs private equity interest

31 May 2010 M&A, Private equity
A string of buy-outs in Asia’s health-care sector suggest private equity firms see value in the region’s affluent and aging population. Notably Asia is fast becoming a leader in medial tourism, writes mergermarket.
Turgid sentiment leaves major deal outlook uncertain

31 May 2010 M&A, Stock & exchange, Bonds, League table
The ongoing fears of European sovereign debt problems led equity and bond deal volumes to collapse and could lead to major deals being postponed until 2011. However M&A markets stayed buoyant. Asiamoney.com rounds up last week’s capital markets.
Best domestic bank awards: Hong Kong

31 May 2010 Stock & exchange, Bonds, Polls & awards
ASIAMONEY is pleased to announce our best domestic bank awards for Hong Kong. Bank of China (Hong Kong) takes the prize as the top bank in the city following strong post-crisis performance. Taifook Securities takes back its crown as the top equity house, while HSBC continued domination of Hong Kong’s bond landscape entitles it to our best debt house award.
Best domestic bank awards: Malaysia

31 May 2010 Stock & exchange, Bonds, Polls & awards
ASIAMONEY is pleased to reveal our best domestic bank awards for Malaysia. CIMB makes a clean sweep of the three categories for the second year running. The banking group impresses for its depth of professionalism and international ambitions.
Indonesia's private equity potential faces challenges

31 May 2010 M&A, Private equity
The country has become the new darling for private equity funds eager to tap into its abundant natural resources and growing middle class. But with good investments thin on the ground, the cost of assets is spiralling.
Best domestic bank awards: Australia

27 May 2010 Stock & exchange, Bonds, Broking, Polls & awards
ASIAMONEY begins its annual awards period to recognise the best domestic banks, equity houses and debt houses in each major market in Asia-Pacific. We start with our Australia winners.
StanChart global equity heads get ambitious in Asia

26 May 2010 Stock & exchange, Interviews, Broking
The emerging markets-focused bank’s new global head of equities and global head of equity capital markets tell asiamoney.com how they intend to overcome immediate challenges and build a thriving equity business in the region.
Credit Suisse hires regional prime consulting head

24 May 2010 Hedge funds, Broking
The Swiss bank has hired Vasundhara Pradeep as head of prime consulting for Asia Pacific as it tries to seize a larger piece of the prime broking pie in the region.
Korean tensions will have limited impact on markets

24 May 2010 Stock & exchange, Nations & economies
The current escalating political tensions between North and South Korea have exacerbated the slump in the latter’s financial markets, but an analyst at Samsung Securities believes any negative impact will be short-lived.
Emerging Asia stocks to drop 15%: Credit Suisse

24 May 2010 Stock & exchange
Analysts at the Swiss bank believe stocks in emerging Asia still have to drop a further 15% before investors resume buying again. May is also lining up to become the region’s second biggest month for net foreign selling on record.
India telco licence sales dominate M&A activity

24 May 2010 M&A, Stock & exchange, Bonds, League table
The sale of a set of 3G telecom licences in India led the region’s M&A activity to rise fourfold over the previous week, while two large debt deals by PetroChina kept debt market buoyant. In contrast, equity markets were tepid. Asiamoney.com rounds up the region’s capital markets.
Asian sovereign wealth funds eye acquisitions

20 May 2010 M&A, Private equity
In the past week Asian sovereign wealth funds have announced two M&A deals in the energy arena, displaying growing confidence in their deal-making abilities and appetite for the sector, writes mergermarket.
Asia-Pacific private equity pipeline

20 May 2010 M&A, Private equity
In collaboration with mergermarket, asiamoney.com presents a list of pipeline private equity deals that have been announced in the Asia-Pacific region.
Hiring activity in Asia is highest ever, says Pagoda

19 May 2010 Stock & exchange, Interviews, Bonds, Foreign exchange, Market move
With nowhere else to look for growth, banks and funds are increasingly viewing Asia as a long-term play, with a subsequent leap in hiring levels. Andrew Britton of Pagoda Partners believes that the fervour has now surpassed that of 2006.
Opinion: German short selling plan bodes ill for Asia

19 May 2010 Stock & exchange, Editorial
The decision of the country’s market regulator to ban naked short sales on some equities and bonds is ill-conceived and might serve to undermine confidence globally. Asia will not be immune to these ripples.
Buy Singapore equities on recent market falls: Citi

18 May 2010 Stock & exchange
The retreat in the city stateâ€™s equities over fears about Greece and Chinaâ€™s tightening measures marks a good buying opportunity, says the US bank.
Opinion: Could the through-train get back into motion?

18 May 2010 Stock & exchange, Editorial
Hong Kong stock exchange operator CEO Charles Li’s comments about making the bourse a derivatives leader to benefit from China’s renminbi internationalisation is just part of the story. It could lead to a resurrection of the through-train investor concept.
Indonesia faces need to build a broader investor base

17 May 2010 Stock & exchange, Private equity, Interviews, Nations & economies, Broking, Asset management
Indonesia’s economy is growing strongly, while its equity capital market has enjoyed six-fold returns over the past eight years. But the country’s stock market remains tiny compared to regional neighbours, while issues of corruption continue to dominate the minds of many would-be foreign direct investors. ASIAMONEY speaks with a set of country experts to discuss how the country can best attract more investor interest and bolster the size and liquidity of its capital markets.
Asian firms most bullish on private equity industry

17 May 2010 Private equity
General partners in Asia have greater confidence in the industry’s outlook than peers in the US and Europe, a new survey has found. But while they are bullish, Asian investors see their boards as needing further education about the asset class.
Rule changes tipped to drive buy-out firms to Asia

14 May 2010 M&A, Private equity
Proposed reform of private equity regulations in the US and Europe have faced heavy criticism. While Asia is also eyeing a crackdown, the race to be a regional alternative investment hub should ensure it offers greater appeal, writes mergermarket.
Asia-Pacific private equity pipeline

14 May 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 marketplace.
HKEx aims to be derivatives giant in Asia: Charles Li

13 May 2010 Stock & exchange, Broking
The chief executive of Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing (HKEx) says the stock exchange operator wants to become the leading market for derivatives in Asia ahead of the internationalisation of China’s renminbi.
HK market regulator wary of electronic trading

13 May 2010 Stock & exchange, Broking
The plunge in US stock markets last week caused by electronic trading platforms proves that Hong Kong should be cautious in embracing technological advances too quickly, warns Securities and Futures Commission chief executive Martin Wheatley.
FTSE and Renaissance launch Asian IPO indices

13 May 2010 Stock & exchange, Asset management
The index company has teamed up with Renaissance Capital to launch two indices that focus on IPO performance in Asia. The creators believe they will lead to new exchange-traded funds, structured products and be used as benchmarks by funds.
Aquino election victory should spark relief rally: Citi

12 May 2010 Stock & exchange, Nations & economies, Foreign exchange
An economist at the US bank believes that the likely victory of Benigno Aquino in the Philippines' presidential elections will spur the country's currency and equity markets.
KBW launches Asia business to tap financial services

12 May 2010 Investment banking, Interviews, Broking
US boutique investment bank Keefe, Bruyette & Woods (KBW) announced the launch of its Asian unit. Senior executives Thomas Michaud and Vasco Moreno tell asiamoney.com about their plans for the region.
Asia’s dark pools set to deepen, predicts BlocSec

12 May 2010 Stock & exchange, Broking
A series of firms have launched dark pools of liquidity in Asia since January to take advantage of the relative lack of alternative crossing networks. BlocSec’s Christian Chan tells asiamoney.com why dark pools are set to grow in Asia.
Credit Suisse's SJ Hwang quits for Samsung Securities

11 May 2010 Stock & exchange, Market move
The Swiss bank’s head of institutional equity sales for Asia-Pacific has resigned to join Samsung Securities, asiamoney.com can exclusively reveal. He had worked at Credit Suisse for 16 years.
UBS promotes Mackay to head Asian ECM origination

11 May 2010 Stock & exchange, Investment banking, Market move
The Swiss bank has appointed Stuart Mackay as head of equity capital markets origination in Asia ex-China. He replaces Mark Williams, who resigned last week to join Nomura. Sam Kendall will also return to Hong Kong from London to become head of ECM syndicate.
BoA-Merrill snatches two ECM bankers from J.P. Morgan

10 May 2010 Stock & exchange, Investment banking, Market move
The US bank has hired Achintya Mangla and Aloke Gupta from rival J.P. Morgan as it bids to bulk up its regional ECM presence, according to an internal memo seen by asiamoney.com.
Fear for Asian IPO pipeline as Swire shelves flotation

10 May 2010 Stock & exchange
Swire Properties became the fourth company in the region to cancel its IPO last week amid turmoil in global stock markets. Observers now fear that the pipeline of new equity issues in Asia will disintegrate.
EU loan package to offer Asia markets brief reprieve

10 May 2010 Stock & exchange, Nations & economies, Foreign exchange
Analysts believe that the financial stability package hashed out by European ministers at the weekend will stabilise Asia’s markets and currencies this week, but remain concerned about the longer-term outlook.
Asia deal volumes fall as volatility rises

10 May 2010 M&A, Stock & exchange, Bonds, League table
The number of new equity and bond listings dramatically slowed down last week amid heightened investor risk aversion. Four IPOs were pulled while bond issues fell by half. Asiamoney.com rounds up the region’s capital markets activity.
Asia-Pacific private equity pipeline

07 May 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.
Singapore provides bulk of private equity plays

07 May 2010 M&A, Private equity
Firms from the city-state participated in three of the five private equity buy-outs to take place in the past week. The largest saw Actis take a 44% stake in KS Distribution for US$230 million, writes mergermarket.
Sarasin sees turning point in sustainable investment

06 May 2010 Stock & exchange, Private banking
Researchers identified a universe of sustainable stocks in emerging markets that saw a 409% rise in value over the past decade. They say a transition to responsible growth in developing nations is taking place, especially in China.
Indonesian official underlines country’s investor appeal

06 May 2010 Stock & exchange, Private equity, Nations & economies
In a phone interview, Gita Wirjawan, chairman of Indonesia’s Investment Coordinating Board, talks about the rosy prospects of investing in the country and also government priorities when it comes to reform.
Will ETFs ever reach their potential in Asia?

06 May 2010 Stock & exchange, Asset management
Demand for exchange-traded funds is rising in the region, but experts believe that educating investors and financially incentivising market-makers are both essential if the funds are to gain better traction.
Nomura unveils dark pool plans in Hong Kong

06 May 2010 Stock & exchange, Broking
The Japanese bank has announced plans to launch a dark pool facility in Hong Kong at the end of this month after receiving regulatory approval. It is seeking to tap into rising use of alternative crossing networks in Asia.
Williams quits UBS to join Nomura as ECM head

06 May 2010 Stock & exchange, Market move
Mark Williams has just resigned from UBS as co-head of Asia equity capital markets to join Nomura and head up the Japanese bank’s regional ECM franchise. His start date is yet to be confirmed.
Fund manager favours Chinese consumer stocks

05 May 2010 Stock & exchange, Asset management
Whilst the outlook for Chinese equities have deteriorated in recent weeks in line with global markets, consumer stocks continue to look attractive, says Victoria Mio, a fund manager at Dutch firm Robeco in Hong Kong.
BNY Mellon names regional head of depositary receipts

05 May 2010 Stock & exchange, Market move
The bank promotes Gregory Roath to head of Asia-Pacific depositary receipts, replacing Christopher Kearns, who relocates. BNY tips Asian issuers to continue dominating the global depositary receipts industry this year.
Take long-term view on Asian equities, urges AMP

05 May 2010 Stock & exchange, Asset management
Global equities may remain weak for the next few weeks but strong fundamentals should help a year-long rally to resume, notes AMP Capital Investors. It expects Asian equities to offer upside, Taiwan and Korea in particular.
CLSA says it will remain independent after Citic tie-up

04 May 2010 M&A, Broking
The respected Asian brokerage has stressed that a planned joint-venture with Citic Securities that was announced yesterday will not affect the quality and independence of its research or management.
Resources firms increasingly eye Chinese capital

04 May 2010 Stock & exchange, Commodities
Commodities companies with assets in Indonesia and elsewhere might increasingly be looking to list in Hong Kong. The draw is Chinese money and it is much easier to attract interest if you are listed nearby, observers say.
Risk aversion fails to dent Asia market activity

03 May 2010 M&A, Stock & exchange, Bonds, League table
Regional capital market activity remained buoyant despite heightened risk aversion after S&P downgraded Greek, Portuguese and Spanish debt. Essar Energy Holdings’ IPO made waves, while China National Petroleum Corp.’s bond anchored debt markets. Asiamoney.com rounds up last week’s markets activity.
Foreign banks in China admit rising domestic rivalry

03 May 2010 M&A, Stock & exchange, Investment banking
Respondents to a PwC survey of 42 foreign banks in China identified increasing competition from domestic lenders as their biggest challenge. The majority also said they planned to make acquisitions or equity investments in local banks in the next three years.
Convertible bond issue was opportune deal: Vedanta

30 Apr 2010 Stock & exchange, Bonds
Last month, India’s Vedanta Resources completed the largest convertible bond issue in the region this year in a bid to refinance its debt. Ashwin Bajaj, vice-president of investor relations, explains the reason behind the deal.
Asia-Pacific private equity pipeline

30 Apr 2010 M&A, Private equity
In collaboration with mergermarket, asiamoney.com presents a list of announced private equity deals that are pending in the Asia-Pacific region.
Opinion: is CLSA right to forego cherished autonomy?

30 Apr 2010 M&A, Editorial, Broking
CLSA’s reported willingness to tie up with Citic Securities reveal that the brokerage values further access to Chinese investors more than its long-cherished independence. It is a gamble that could backfire.
Quiet week for Asia private equity buy-outs

30 Apr 2010 M&A, Private equity
Just three transactions came to market in the past seven days, and two were exits. The largest saw Japanese firm Advantage Partners sell out of its stake in The Daiei Inc. to Deutsche Securities. Mergermarket reports.
Chinese property stocks set to prosper, says Nomura

28 Apr 2010 Stock & exchange, Real estate
The country’s stocks are experiencing their worst run in 16 months as Beijing steps up measures to curb property prices. But Nomura believes that these efforts will fail, meaning a major buying opportunity for real estate company shares.
Indonesia will push privatisation, says SOE minister

28 Apr 2010 Stock & exchange, Nations & economies
The country’s deputy minister for financial institutions Parikesit Suprapto says the government wants to accelerate the privatisation of state-owned enterprises amid unprecedented political and financial stability.
ETF inspired by new China index futures

27 Apr 2010 Stock & exchange
A Deutsche Bank exchange-traded fund based on the CSI 300 index hits trading records, inspired by the first mainland stock index future based on this index.
Tech stocks stand out in moribund markets, says RBS

27 Apr 2010 Stock & exchange
The UK-headquartered bank recommends investors consider technology stocks in Asia, following underwhelming performance of wider equity markets in the region so far this year.
Samsung Life anchors Asia’s equity markets

26 Apr 2010 M&A, Stock & exchange, Investment banking, Bonds, League table
Investors responded enthusiastically to Samsung Life’s record breaking IPO, while Axiata’s US$300 million bond issue also ignited interest. Asiamoney.com rounds up last week’s regional capital markets activity.
Sun Hung Kai eyes China investment banking

26 Apr 2010 M&A, Stock & exchange, Investment banking, Broking
Sun Hung Kai is selling a 19% stake to private equity firm CVC Capital Partners to raise up to US$275 million. It is striving to build its investment banking platform in China, executive chairman Lee Seng Huang told asiamoney.com.
Notionals fall for credit and equity derivatives

25 Apr 2010 Stock & exchange, Structured products, Bonds, Loans
The notional amount outstanding in credit and equity derivative contracts fell globally last year, although the value of interest rate instruments expanded, notes the ISDA. Investors remain cautious about equity derivatives.
Asia-Pacific private equity pipeline

25 Apr 2010 M&A, Private equity
In collaboration with mergermarket, asiamoney.com presents a list of announced private equity deals in the Asia-Pacific marketplace.
Asian private equity activity poised to pick up

23 Apr 2010 M&A, Private equity
Asia-focused limited partners are planning their next moves, suggesting deal activity in certain sectors could jump in the second half of the year, writes mergermarket.
HSBC highlights attraction of H-shares

23 Apr 2010 Stock & exchange, Foreign exchange, Broking, Asset management
HSBC Global Asset Management is urging investors to consider H-shares, saying they still offer an attractive discount to their A-share counterparts and should also gain from any rises in the renminbi.
Munoz quits Deutsche to join BarCap as ECM head

22 Apr 2010 Stock & exchange, Investment banking, Market move
Jorge Munoz has quit as head of Asia equity syndicate at Deutsche to join Barclays Capital as managing director of regional ECM. Munoz was scheduled to return to Europe with the German bank but opted to remain in Asia.
Strategist underlines Indonesia’s transformation

22 Apr 2010 Stock & exchange, Nations & economies
Political and economic developments in Indonesia have seen it likened to fast-growing Brazil. Asia investment strategist Brad Jones of Deutsche is especially bullish and sees drops in the equity market as a buying opportunity.
Deutsche launches Australian ETF to tap yield

21 Apr 2010 Stock & exchange, Nations & economies
The bank has launched the first Australian money market ETF in an effort to tap the country’s higher yielding interest rate. The fund listed on the Singapore exchange and is available in Australian, Singapore and US dollars.
Algo-trading is a strategic focus, says Nomura

20 Apr 2010 Stock & exchange, Broking
The bank has upgraded its algorithmic trading platform in Asia as it tries to keep pace with technology's advance in the region. It is also seeking approval from authorities to launch its own dark pool venue in Hong Kong.
Deutsche hires Asia head of equity derivatives trading

19 Apr 2010 Stock & exchange, Market move
The German bank has lured Kenneth Hon from Citi to be its head of equity derivatives trading for Asia ex-Japan. He will join the German lender as a managing director based in Hong Kong at the end of this month.
Volume expected to lead value in Asia ECM activity

19 Apr 2010 M&A, Stock & exchange, Bonds, League table
A steep rise in ECM deals last week coincided with a sharp drop in value, which is a trend some observers tip to continue. But ctivity was more muted in DCM and M&A. Asiamoney.com sums up capital market activity last week.
Differentiation seen as top test for wealth managers

19 Apr 2010 Stock & exchange, Structured products, Bonds, Foreign exchange, Asset management, Private banking
Standing out from the competition and adapting to a changing regulatory environment are viewed as the most pressing challenges facing the wealth management industry today, finds a new survey by Barclays Capital.
Nomura tips stocks exposed to central, western China

18 Apr 2010 Stock & exchange, Nations & economies
The bank notes that central and western regions of China have started to outstrip their eastern counterparts in terms of the pace of economic growth. It is tipping five stocks with high exposure to the regions to benefit from this geographical shift.
E-trading taking off in Asia, says SocGen

16 Apr 2010 Stock & exchange, Interviews
The bank has extended its e-trading service to Malaysia and will add Indonesia in coming weeks as it strives to tap growing regional demand. The bank is positioning itself as Asia plays catch-up with developed markets.
Temasek tops busy week for private equity buy-outs

16 Apr 2010 M&A, Private equity
Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund engaged in the largest private equity deal of last week, its reported US$200 million acquisition of a stake in Indian firm GMR Energy. It came in the form of preference shares, to be converted when GMR lists, writes Mergermarket.
Asia-Pacific private equity pipeline

16 Apr 2010 M&A, Private equity
In collaboration with mergermarket, asiamoney.com presents a list of announced private equity deals in the Asia-Pacific region.
Sarasin warns of major equity market setback

14 Apr 2010 Stock & exchange, Nations & economies, Commodities, Bonds, Private banking
The bank believes the global economic recovery cycle has reached its peak and equity investors should take profits and reduce positions. It reckons the focus for the second quarter of 2010 will be high-quality corporate bonds.
HK tipped to host more Russian IPOs in 2010

14 Apr 2010 Stock & exchange, Nations & economies
Investment bank Uralsib Capital expects fellow Russian firms to follow in UC Rusal’s footsteps and list in Hong Kong before the year is out. The firm praises the city’s marketing efforts, claiming it is now seen as Asia’s premier listing destination.
BarCap confirms Thorkelsson as Asia head of equities

14 Apr 2010 Stock & exchange, Investment banking, Market move
Barclays Capital has named former Nomura banker Sigurbjorn Thorkelsson as its new head of Asia-Pacific equities, confirming a move that was widely speculated on after he quit the Japanese firm last month.
BarCap designs ‘protected’ equity-linked fund

13 Apr 2010 Stock & exchange, Asset management, Private banking
The investment banking arm of Barclays has launched a fund in Australia that invests in global equity markets via a basket of ETFs. It is designed to guard against bear market losses in response to increased investor caution.
Nomura outlines impact of Thai turmoil

13 Apr 2010 Stock & exchange, Nations & economies, Bonds
Political deadlock will weigh on Thailand’s economic growth this year and keep currency appreciation to a minimum, says Nomura in a conference call. A further widening in credit markets is also expected.
Clean energy investment tipped to break record in 2010

13 Apr 2010 M&A, Stock & exchange, Nations & economies, Energy, Project finance
US$27 billion was invested into clean energy globally in the first quarter of 2010, a 31% year-on-year rise but a 13.6% quarter-on-quarter decline. Bloomberg New Energy Finance is expecting record investment this year.
Bet on China bank stocks, says Macquarie

12 Apr 2010 Stock & exchange
The nation’s top banks reported healthy earnings and their stock prices are still appealing, notes Macquarie. It is urging investors to pounce as these banks seek to replenish capital in 2010, although it questions the need for ICBC to raise funds.
CMB share sale anchors Asia activity

12 Apr 2010 M&A, Stock & exchange, Investment banking, Commodities, Bonds, League table
CMB’s US$3.2 billion rights issue helped equity market activity nearly double. M&A remained buoyant, although debt markets were quiet as volume fell by nearly four times. Asiamoney.com rounds up last week’s key capital market activity in the Asia-Pacific ex-Japan region.
Welch quits Deutsche as head of Asia cash equity sales

12 Apr 2010 Stock & exchange, Investment banking, Market move
Tom Welch has quit as Deutsche Bank's head of fundamental equity sales for Asia ex-Japan. His departure is the latest in a string of exits from the German lender’s regional equity business.
Opinion: doubts dog Essar’s bold IPO bid

11 Apr 2010 Stock & exchange, Editorial, Energy
Essar Energy’s plan to raise US$2.5 billion in a London listing is a brave one. But while overseas appetite to tap India's growth is undoubted, concerns remain about the company’s governance and struggling recent Indian IPOs.
Citi optimistic over Bric commodities index

11 Apr 2010 Stock & exchange, Commodities
The bank has introduced an index designed to provide exposure to Bric commodity consumption trends. It should appeal to retail and high-net-worth investors in Asia, says Citi’s head of commodity investor products Iain Armitage.
Asia-Pacific private equity pipeline

09 Apr 2010 M&A, Private equity
In collaboration with Mergermarket, asiamoney.com presents a list of announced private equity deals in the Asia-Pacific region over the past week.
China and India show rising private equity power

09 Apr 2010 M&A, Private equity
A quartet of acquisitions in the past week demonstrates the growing prominence of Asia’s two powerhouses on the global private equity playing field. Given the pipeline, the likelihood is of more to come, writes Mergermarket.
Taiwan securities firms need to diversify, says S&P

08 Apr 2010 Stock & exchange
The ratings agency believes earnings will likely remain volatile in 2010 and advises securities firms on the island to expand their operations and not rely solely on stock broking business to drive profits.
Deutsche not deterred by take-up of fixed income ETFs

08 Apr 2010 Stock & exchange, Commodities, Bonds
The take-up of fixed income ETFs launched by Deutsche Bank in February has been slower than expected, but the firm has bold plans to grow in this sector, says Marco Montanari, the bank’s head of db x-trackers ETFs for Asia.
Rusal has major Asia ambitions, says CFO

07 Apr 2010 Stock & exchange
The Russian aluminium firm’s CFO Tatiana Soina tells asiamoney.com why it chose the unprecedented move to list in Hong Kong in January, and responds to criticism over its poor secondary market performance.
Deutsche names Asia head of institutional equities

07 Apr 2010 Stock & exchange, Investment banking
In an internal move, the bank has appointed Rob Ebert as head of institutional client group for equities in Asia ex-Japan. He transfers from New York to replace Denis MacCarthy, who left the firm last December.
Daiwa hires Ester Li to run Asia equity sales

31 Mar 2010 Stock & exchange
The Japanese investment bank has poached the veteran from Axial Capital Management to be its regional head of Asian equity sales, as it continues expanding outside of its home market. Li brings two decades of experience.
HKEx’s Arculli eager to attract more foreign companies

31 Mar 2010 Stock & exchange
Following the Hong Kong listings of Russia’s UC Rusal and Canada’s SouthGobi Energy Resources earlier this year, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing chairman Ronald Arculli tells asiamoney.com why he wants to attract more foreign companies into the city’s bourse.
Hong Kong should cut tax on all ETFs, says Lyxor

30 Mar 2010 Stock & exchange
The territory’s administrators need to cut the stamp duty for all exchange-traded funds and improve incentivisation for market makers to grow the market for such instruments, says a senior official at the asset management company.
Splash sends ripples with Malaysia M&A offer

30 Mar 2010 M&A, Stock & exchange, Bonds
The Malaysian company’s purchase of water concessions in its home nation anchored M&A transactions last week. However, equity and debt deal volumes declined compared to the week before. Asiamoney.com rounds up the week’s capital markets.
Size matters when it comes to China banks: Yuanta

29 Mar 2010 Stock & exchange
Larger China bank stocks look appealing as fears about monetary tightening subside and the lenders expand their retail lending businesses, says Yuanta Securities. In contrast, smaller mainland banks may struggle.
More Canadian firms to list in HK, says SouthGobi CEO

29 Mar 2010 Stock & exchange, Interviews
Coal producer SouthGobi Energy Resources was the first Canadian company to float shares in Hong Kong in January. President and CEO Alexander Molyneux explains why he chose the city for the listing and why other Canadian firms will follow.
PE funds buy up Japan-style home fitting firms

29 Mar 2010 Private equity
Two deals with a house-ware theme took place last week, each of which had a distinctly Japanese flavour. Additionally TMT investor Silver Lake finally cracked China with a small acquisition into Spreadtrum Communications, reports mergermarket.
Opinion: the risks of ignorant Asian investing

26 Mar 2010 Stock & exchange, Asset management
A survey by the Economist Intelligence Unit reveals that some institutional investors are investing more in Asia despite admitting ignorance about the region. They risk making mistakes unless they learn more about the countries gaining their favour.
Inefficiencies throttle India’s infrastructure plans

26 Mar 2010 Stock & exchange, Nations & economies
Political bureaucracy and a dearth of good projects are stymieing the ability of Indian developers to support New Delhi’s ambitious infrastructure investment agenda, Execution Noble argues. Investors should focus on construction and auxiliary firms instead.
Asian issuers drive global IPOs in first quarter

26 Mar 2010 Stock & exchange
The total of new listings conducted in the first three months of the year was the greatest number for a decade. This prolific issuance was driven largely by Asian companies, according to a report by Dealogic.
Deutsche Bank veteran Ravi Narain resigns

25 Mar 2010 Broking
The long-serving managing director for institutional equity sales for Asia ex-Japan at Deutsche Bank has quit, asiamoney.com can reveal. He is believed to be heading to Daiwa Securities.
China’s policy priorities aid wind and health stocks

25 Mar 2010 Stock & exchange, Asset management
Michael Chiu, lead portfolio manager for Greater China funds at ING Investment Management, believes mainland manufacturers of wind energy and medical equipment should benefit from state support and export opportunities.
Investors argue that Chinese equities look cheap

24 Mar 2010 Stock & exchange, Asset management
A panel of fund managers said they remain bullish on the mainland’s stock markets despite poor recent performance and volatility, pointing to strong economic fundamentals, cheaper prices and the potential for currency appreciation.
China share futures set to attract foreigners

23 Mar 2010 Stock & exchange
Foreign investors are likely to be active buyers of the country’s first equity futures contract, set to launch in mid-April. But Beijing's desire to ensure a smooth opening means that trading volumes are expected to be light at first.
Nomura’s Paine is HSBC’s gain

23 Mar 2010 Stock & exchange
The UK bank has hired David Paine from Nomura as its new head of Asia equity syndicate. He fills the gap left by Will Smiley, who moved to Goldman Sachs last week.
Buy US not Asian stocks, says Legg Mason

22 Mar 2010 Stock & exchange, Asset management
The investment firm believes that US stocks will outperform those in Asia on the back of improving attitudes towards US economic growth and rising concerns about emerging markets.
Rio Tinto and Chinalco embark on a new JV

22 Mar 2010 M&A, Stock & exchange, Bonds
Anglo-Australian miner Rio Tinto and Aluminum Corp. of China agreed to a joint-venture less than a year after a previous tie-up fell through. Asiamoney.com rounds up the key capital market activity across the region.
New cross-strait rules seen as symbolic step

19 Mar 2010 M&A, Stock & exchange, Nations & economies
Taiwan’s Financial Supervisory Commission unveiled regulations limiting the level that Taiwanese and Chinese lenders can invest in each other. However, HSBC analysts believe the move is largely symbolic and just another step towards expanding communal access.
Goldman reshuffles regional ECM team

19 Mar 2010 Stock & exchange, Investment banking, Broking, Market move
The bank makes three appointments in its Asia ECM team. Thomas Deng becomes head of China ECM, Will Smiley is made co-head of ECM syndicate in Hong Kong and Hayden Stockdale will relocate to Hong Kong to focus on natural resources.
Trayport targets Asia e-trading growth

19 Mar 2010 Stock & exchange, Interviews, Energy
The UK-based provider of electronic trading software is positioning for expansion in Asia-Pacific, particularly in the area of carbon emissions trading as legislation in the region catches up with Europe and the US.
Barclays Wealth downplays Asia inflation fears

19 Mar 2010 Stock & exchange, Real estate, Nations & economies, Commodities, Research report
The firm’s Asia strategist Manpreet Gill predicts the rise in headline inflation in Asia will be moderate. Investors should gain selective exposure to corporate earnings, Asian economic growth and the best active managers.
Asia private equity exits underline market’s turn

19 Mar 2010 M&A, Private equity
Apax Partners’ US$3 billion sale of Tommy Hilfiger to Phillips-Van Heusen illustrates a turning point in the global economic recovery. The buyer turned down guaranteed financing, saving itself millions in the process, writes Mergermarket.
Asia-Pacific private equity pipeline

19 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.
Nomura faces uphill climb to reach global goals

18 Mar 2010 M&A, Stock & exchange, Investment banking, Interviews, Bonds
Eighteen months after buying Lehman Brothers’ Asian and European assets, the Japanese bank has witnessed a raft of senior departures. Now it must convince bankers of its business model to step up as an international force.
Asian IPOs to rise by June, says HSBC

18 Mar 2010 Stock & exchange, Investment banking
Bankers at the UK lender say regional IPO activity will rebound by the end of the first half despite several disappointing trading debuts, the withdrawal of AIA’s planned flotation and stock market volatility.
North American hedge funds stand tall

17 Mar 2010 Stock & exchange, Hedge funds, Commodities, Bonds, Asset management
The region’s managers saw an average 1.5% gain in February, with those who maintained long positions in equities rewarded, finds Eurekahedge. US funds also attracted the most capital, while Asia ex-Japan funds saw net redemptions.
ITG launches Asian dark pool to tap demand

17 Mar 2010 Stock & exchange
Investment Technology Group says it is launching its new POSIT Marketplace dark pool for Asia in a drive to tap into the growing demand in the region for alternative forms of liquidity and reduce trading costs.
Global growth, stock rebounds forecast to be weak

17 Mar 2010 Stock & exchange, Bonds, Foreign exchange, Private banking
The global economic recovery has moved into mid-cycle, so short-term interest rates are likely to remain low and inflation muted, says Barclays Wealth. It recommends investing in risky assets where there is growth.
Inflation seen to remain subdued in Asia

16 Mar 2010 Stock & exchange, Nations & economies, Commodities, Foreign exchange, Research report
Julius Baer’s CIO, V. Anantha Nageswaran, has faith in the proactiveness of Asian policymakers to tackle inflation threats. Still, he advises clients to hedge their bets on currency appreciation, commodities and precious metals.
BoA-ML hires Reilly as head of Asia equity trading

16 Mar 2010 Stock & exchange, Market move
Bank of America-Merrill Lynch has hired Gene Reilly as head of Asia-Pacific equity execution services. He joins from Goldman Sachs, where he was a partner and former head of regional equity trading.
SocGen names Kubo as head of equity for Japan

16 Mar 2010 Stock & exchange, Market move
Société Générale has appointed Masahiro Kubo as its head of equity for Japan, based in Tokyo. He joins from Goldman Sachs, where he was most recently co-head of equity sales and trading.
Money manager bolsters alternatives team

16 Mar 2010 Stock & exchange, Hedge funds, Commodities, Asset management, Market move
Financial services firm Russell Investments announces a strategic push into alternative investments as clients seek to recoup losses in the wake of the financial crisis. It says it is targeting areas such as active commodities, private investments and alpha-driven strategies.
Opinion: India must buy into investor diversification

15 Mar 2010 Stock & exchange, Editorial
Last week’s move to allow Indian investors to trade US futures contracts is a positive step for the development of the nation's capital markets. But the government must do more to encourage investors to diversify portfolios.
Citi promotes Sanghi to head of India equities

15 Mar 2010 Stock & exchange, Investment banking, Market move
The US bank names Keshav Sanghi as its new head of India equities, replacing Nikhil Nagle, who left last month to pursue personal interests. Sanghi only joined Citi in January, having previously been CEO of Reliance Equities.
Observers stumped by China Mobile’s M&A bid

15 Mar 2010 M&A, Stock & exchange, Investment banking, Bonds, League table
The telecoms operator’s bid to buy 20% of Shanghai Pudong Development Bank has yet to win over analysts. But it was the most eye-catching deal of last week, with equity and debt transaction levels low. Asiamoney.com reviews regional capital market activity in the last week.
Fund managers favour emerging market equities

15 Mar 2010 Stock & exchange, Bonds, Asset management
The majority of respondents to an HSBC fund managers survey say they are bullish on Greater China equities above all else in the first quarter of this year. More than half are overweight on North American equities.
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.
RBS predicts China stock rally

12 Mar 2010 Stock & exchange, Nations & economies
Having experienced a correction since mid-January over monetary tightening concerns, Chinese stocks look set to rally as the government shifts its focus to growth instead of tackling inflation, says the Royal Bank of Scotland.
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.
S&P licenses Indian futures contracts

11 Mar 2010 Stock & exchange, Nations & economies
Ratings agency Standard & Poor’s has licensed the National Stock Exchange of India to create and list rupee-denominated futures contracts on the S&P 500 benchmark index for the first time.
Deutsche loses key sales traders in Hong Kong

10 Mar 2010 Stock & exchange, Market move
Ricky Lo and May Tsang quit Deutsche Bank’s Hong Kong and China sales trading team today, asiamoney.com can confirm. Both had been with the firm for more than nine years, although their future destination is unknown.
Opinion: China right to take slow road on futures

10 Mar 2010 Stock & exchange, Nations & economies, Editorial
Trading in stock index futures is set to start next month in China after years of preparation. Investors say the minimum deposit of Rmb500,000 is too onerous, but the regulator’s push for a high entry barrier is the right one.
RBS names new country head in Japan

10 Mar 2010 M&A, Stock & exchange, Investment banking, Bonds, Market move
RBS has appointed Ernfred Olsen as country executive and head of global banking and markets for Japan. Olsen joined the lender last month and succeeds Lee Knight, who relocated to Singapore to become head of markets.
Opinion: why China Mobile must come clean

09 Mar 2010 M&A, Stock & exchange, Nations & economies, Editorial
The world’s largest mobile telecoms operator should divulge the real reasons behind its plan to buy a stake in Shanghai Pudong Development Bank or risk seeing billions more being wiped off its market capitalisation.
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.
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.
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.
Analysts take positive view on HSBC earnings

04 Mar 2010 Stock & exchange, Corporate profiles
HSBC unveiled disappointing 2009 earnings this week, but analysts remain upbeat on its longer-term outlook as it continues to manage losses from its US business and realigns its focus towards emerging market growth.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Subscribe to BoCom’s rights issue, HSBC urges clients

25 Feb 2010 Stock & exchange
Bank of Communications announced this week it was seeking to raise more than US$6 billion via a rights issue. Significant shareholder HSBC is advising clients to sign up since it will help the lender to achieve better growth.
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.
Ulrich adopts cautious tone on China growth

24 Feb 2010 Stock & exchange, Nations & economies
In contrast to her stance a year ago, J.P. Morgan’s chairman of China equities and commodities Jing Ulrich admits she is cautious about China’s growth prospects because of likely monetary tightening and a ‘monumental’ property bubble.
Hong Kong banking sector forecast to stay weak

23 Feb 2010 Stock & exchange, Investment banking, Nations & economies, Loans
Todd Dunivant, head of bank research for Asia-Pacific at HSBC, notes that Hong Kong’s banking sector will continue to underperform as long as western economies remain weak.
India market corrections are a buy, says Nomura

23 Feb 2010 Stock & exchange, Nations & economies, Broking
Rising inflation and monetary tightening in India will likely lead to declines in the stock market. However, Nomura says this is a buying opportunity as a more normal fiscal environment is a long-term positive for financial markets.
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.
Japan's equity arranger of the year: Nomura

22 Feb 2010 Stock & exchange, Investment banking, Polls & awards
Nomura is almost the only domestic investment bank willing and able to arrange sizeable equity issues. Its dominance, as bookrunner on nine of the top 10 deals of last year, made it a shoe-in for Asiamoney's award.
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.
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.
Citi reveals raft of India equities hires

22 Feb 2010 Stock & exchange, Investment banking, Market move
The bank has bolstered its Indian equities business with nine appointments in the past few months. They include Keshav Sanghi as deputy head of equities for India and Richard Macfarlane as head of execution services.
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.
HSBC sees buying opportunity in Chinese stocks

19 Feb 2010 Stock & exchange, Nations & economies
The bank believes expectations of interest rate hikes by China are exaggerated and that the recent equities decline presents a buying opportunity for investors. But it is bearish on Indian stocks because the risk of inflation.
Delays dampen Mongolia IPO excitement

18 Feb 2010 Stock & exchange, Investment banking, Nations & economies
After the flotation of coal producer SouthGobi Energy Resources last month, observers were anticipating a raft of Mongolian IPOs to follow suit. But a lack of domestic infrastructure and investment has hurt the deal pipeline.
2010 could be boom year for China private equity

17 Feb 2010 M&A, Private equity
Auctions and bidding wars could become commonplace as domestic and foreign firms fight for Chinese assets. But local investors are confident of their ability to perform despite claims they are less experienced rainmakers, writes Mergermarket.
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.
Japan's deals of the year: equity offering

17 Feb 2010 Stock & exchange, Polls & awards
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group's follow-on offering in December 2008 was the nation's largest since 2006. It was a trendsetter and earns Asiamoney's award in this category.
Japan's deals of the year: equity-linked offering

17 Feb 2010 Stock & exchange, Bonds, Polls & awards
Takashimaya's issue of zero-coupon, five-year convertible bonds in October helped to open the door for successive issues out of Japan. It earns Asiamoney's award as Japan's best equity-linked offering over the past year.
Indian stock market jitters are unfounded, says Noble

12 Feb 2010 Stock & exchange
The falls in India’s stock market since the start of the year are overdone, according to analysts at Noble Group. The country’s economic recovery is firmly entrenched and unlikely to be derailed.
Opinion: China and India must open their markets

12 Feb 2010 Stock & exchange, Editorial, Bonds
Asia has recovered strongly from the global financial crisis, but China and India must develop their domestic capital markets and allow in more international investors if their economies are to reach their full potential.
Opinion: Mongolia must push to privatise

12 Feb 2010 Stock & exchange, Nations & economies, Editorial
The country’s financial markets remain vastly undeveloped, to the detriment of its economy and population. The government must modernise the country's capital markets and privatise more state-owned enterprises if it is not to be left behind by the rest of Asia.
Credit Suisse tips HK and China small-cap stocks

11 Feb 2010 Stock & exchange
Shares in Hong Kong and China and small-cap stocks look set to outperform as the pace of economic recovery in Asia slows, predicts Credit Suisse. Additionally Hong Kong’s equity market is likely to become more volatile.
Asia ready for dark pools plunge, says Chi-East CEO

09 Feb 2010 Stock & exchange, Broking
The region is primed for alternative crossing networks for investors, says Ned Phillips, the new CEO of Chi-East, the joint venture dark pool between Singapore Exchange and Chi-X Global.
Buy China health and consumer stocks, advises investor

09 Feb 2010 Stock & exchange, Asset management
Investors should accumulate healthcare and consumer stocks in China as a long-term investment despite the recent downturn in the country’s equities, according to a fund manager at Neuberger Berman.
China is growing too fast, say Goldman's Jim O’Neill

09 Feb 2010 Stock & exchange
The country’s GDP growth is currently too rapid for its policymakers' liking, who are already trying to tighten monetary policy, says Goldman Sachs' chief global economist Jim O’Neill.
Australia bank awards: Best equity arranger

09 Feb 2010 Stock & exchange, Investment banking
UBS easily stood out as the leading bookrunner of Australian equity during the the busiest year ever for issuance. Responsible for almost one quarter of the market volume, it takes our Australian equity arranger award.
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.
Korean regulators respond to revival in private equity

08 Feb 2010 M&A, Private equity
The return of private equity activity in South Korea has prompted regulators to urge investment in the asset class. They introduced tax benefits and are seeking to relax rules over the creation of funds, says Mergermarket.
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.
Australia's deals of the year: equity-linked offering

04 Feb 2010 Stock & exchange, Bonds, Polls & awards
The sale of exchangeable bonds to the International Petroleum Investment Co. of Abu Dhabi could influence Papua New Guinea's economic future. It wins our award as best equity-linked offering of the past year.
Nomura forecasts rebound for China banking stocks

04 Feb 2010 Stock & exchange
The Japanese bank says concerns over potential policy tightening are overdone and that market declines have already priced in negative impact from interest rate rises. It likes the earnings visibility and valuations of bank stocks.
Australia's best deals of 2009: IPO

03 Feb 2010 Stock & exchange, Polls & awards
Macquarie Capital launched Carsales.com's IPO into a vulnerable market, confident in its business model, and investors agreed. The deal was a success and wins Asiamoney's nod as Australia's best IPO of the past year.
Macquarie sees ‘extreme value’ in Japanese stocks

03 Feb 2010 Stock & exchange, Nations & economies
Japanese equities are being tipped to outperform the rest of Asia by Macquarie analysts as their valuations are currently the cheapest in the region. They are also likely to receive a further boost from recent declines in the yen.
Austalia's deals of the year: equity offering

03 Feb 2010 Stock & exchange, Polls & awards
Asciano Group's A$2.35 billion share sale allowed it to cut its net debt and rebuff the advances of the avaricious private equity companies. It wins Asiamoney's award for best equity offering in Australia over the past year.
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.
China equity investors urged to diversify overseas

02 Feb 2010 Stock & exchange, Asset management
Retail investors have piled into China’s equity markets on the back of surging growth. But relatively expensive valuations and fears over asset inflation mean it is time for domestic investors to seek education on how to diversify successfully overseas, say fund managers.
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.
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.
Country deals of the year: Malaysia

29 Jan 2010 Stock & exchange, Polls & awards
The US$3.3 billion IPO of Maxis Communications is likely to have far-reaching positive consequences for Malaysia's capital markets, and as such it wins Asiamoney's award as the country's best deal of the past year.
Country deals of the year: India

28 Jan 2010 Stock & exchange, Bonds, Polls & awards
Larsen & Toubro’s US$600 million combined share sale and convertible bond issue was the first of its kind out of India. The innovative transaction earns Asiamoney's nod as India's best deal of the past year.
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.
J.P. Morgan bolsters equities team in Hong Kong

27 Jan 2010 Stock & exchange, Market move
Gordon Crosbie-Walsh is returning to Hong Kong to join J.P. Morgan’s equity syndicate desk next month, asiamoney.com understands. It will be his second stint in the city, having worked there previously for 14 years.
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.
Country deals of the year: China

27 Jan 2010 Stock & exchange, Polls & awards
There has been a tidal wave of Chinese IPOs, but one stood out above the others. Sinopharm Group's US$1.3 billion debut in Hong Kong attracted huge interest and wins Asiamoney's award as China's best of the past year.
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.
Fears of China overheating seen as exaggerated

26 Jan 2010 Stock & exchange, Nations & economies
Analysts at Credit Suisse say China is experiencing financial, rather than economic, overheating. They see recent declines in the country’s equity markets as a buying opportunity and highlight some favourite picks.
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.
BNP Paribas adds trio in Korean equities

26 Jan 2010 Stock & exchange, Market move
The French bank has hired Eric Yun as head of domestic sales, Jay Koo joins as head of international sales, and Joon Park as head of sales trading. It comes as the bank continues to beef up its Korean securities business.
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.
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.
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.
HSBC sees H-shares as a buying opportunity

24 Jan 2010 Stock & exchange
The bank notes recent declines in China H-shares and suspects the Hang Seng China Enterprise Index could fall up to 20% in the next few weeks. However it sees counterparts on the A-share index as too expensive, still.
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.
Aberdeen harbours hope over access to China investors

21 Jan 2010 Stock & exchange, Nations & economies
Aberdeen Asset Management director Alex Boggis reveals his optimism about gaining greater access to domestic investors and funds in China, despite regulators scrapping plans for its “through-train” programme.
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.
Nomura gains ASX trading licence

20 Jan 2010 Stock & exchange
The bank announces it has gained admission to be a trading participant on the Australian Securities Exchange. The move is further evidence of the firm’s ambitions to expand its equities business across the region.
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.
BNY Mellon names head of Taiwan depositary receipts

19 Jan 2010 Stock & exchange, Asset management, Market move
The financial services firm has hired Frances Ni to run its depositary receipts business in Taiwan. The appointment comes after the bank tipped Asian issuers to continue dominating the depositary receipt industry this year.
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.
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.
Opinion: Beijing was right to derail the through-train

16 Jan 2010 Stock & exchange, Editorial
Scrapping the “through train” plans that would have allowed domestic investors to buy Hong Kong-listed stocks directly is a positive. It shows that when it comes to China’s nascent financial market, it pays to be patient.
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.
China’s reserve ratio hike to hit banking stocks

13 Jan 2010 Stock & exchange, Nations & economies, Loans, Foreign exchange
Beijing’s decision to raise banks’ reserve requirement ratio 50 basis points to 16% is likely to have a negative impact on Chinese equities, note analysts. It also raises expectations about interest rate hikes and adds to speculation that Beijing will relax the dollar peg.
China shows it’s serious about reining in lending

13 Jan 2010 Stock & exchange, Nations & economies, Bonds, Loans, Foreign exchange
By increasing the reserve requirement ratio, the People’s Bank of China has sent out a strong message, and further hikes are expected. Some believe it was motivated to rein in credit growth and to suck liquidity out of the system, with billions in PBoC bills set to mature.
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.
Citi highlights Greater China challenges for investors

12 Jan 2010 Stock & exchange, Nations & economies
Stock markets offer upside potential, but the pace of gains is uncertain and the environment promises to be more challenging this year than last, the US bank says.
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.
Former ‘Asian Tiger’ economies on comeback trail

12 Jan 2010 Stock & exchange, Nations & economies
The region’s developed economies have rebounded strongly from the financial crisis and stand to benefit from a recovery in global trade, says a fund manager.
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.
Deutsche sees modest China equity gains in 2010

11 Jan 2010 Stock & exchange, Nations & economies
Stock gains should not top 15% in 2010 as Beijing starts to tighten monetary policy, predicts Deutsche Bank. It believes sectors positively linked to inflation and exports are likely to do well, as will clean and renewable energy.
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.
Offshore issuers target entry to China’s stock markets

10 Jan 2010 Stock & exchange, Nations & economies
After years of talk but little progress, the mainland’s regulators could soon give the go-ahead for international issuers and red-chip companies to list shares in Shanghai.
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.
Investors unnerved by Japanese banks’ capital needs

07 Jan 2010 Stock & exchange, Nations & economies
Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group is set to launch a US$8.7 billion share issue and Mizuho Financial Group is likely to follow. The deals will test weak investor resolve and threaten to undermine the lenders’ financial performance, writes Asiamoney correspondent Peter McGill.
China looks for billions to fill bank funding hole

07 Jan 2010 Stock & exchange, Nations & economies
Beijing wants its major financial institutions to raise vast amounts of capital to sustain their lending. The equity deluge will challenge the priorities of sovereign wealth funds and large fund managers alike.
CCB tips the Hang Seng to hit 29,000 this year

07 Jan 2010 Stock & exchange, Nations & economies
Peter So, the Chinese bank’s head of research, expects the HSI to achieve a 12-month high of 29,000 points and is urging equity investors to capitalise before fiscal tightening measures are introduced later in 2010.
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.
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.
Super bubble warning for Indian stocks

06 Jan 2010 Stock & exchange, Nations & economies
The Sensex could venture further into bubble territory in 2010 as the nation’s economy rebounds to high levels of positive growth, interest rates remain low and corporate investment returns to the country, cautions Noble Group.
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.
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.
Macquarie Securities names new faces in bold India bet

04 Jan 2010 Broking, Market move
The equities broking arm of Macquarie Group has announced three senior equity sales and research appointments in Mumbai as it takes a bullish view on the nation’s economy and strives to boost its local footprint.
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.
Hong Kong’s IPO market tipped to surge in 2010

04 Jan 2010 Stock & exchange, Investment banking, Nations & economies
Debut listings in the city are forecast to top HK$300 billion this year as firms strive to tap into China’s growth, PricewaterhouseCoopers says. Hong Kong's capital markets are expected to be less volatile than global counterparts, with interest rates forecast to remain low.

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