AsianInvestor’s most read articles in April

Here we present the stories from our daily newsletter that were most popular among our core audience of institutional investors in April in descending order, with number one the recipient of the most hits. Excluded from the list are our weekly roundups of people news.

1. AIG overhauling asset allocation framework (by Joe Marsh, April 23)

The insurer's chief investment officer for international markets says real interest rates in developed countries could stay negative for 20 years, so investors should plan accordingly. 

2. HSBC Insurance eyeing alt debt, infra investments (by Indira Vergis, April 9)

Given the very long-term nature of their liabilities, insurers are ideally placed to take advantage of the illiquidity premium in alt assets, the group's Hong Kong CIO says.

3. AMP scandal expected to spark asset sell-off (by Richard Newell, April 20)

Revelations of malpractice by the Australian investment and pensions firm will reverberate across Asia, where it has a big base of clients and partners. The group is tipped to be split up.

4. Top hiring trends: Insurers shake up teams (by Joe Marsh, April 10)

As part of AsianInvestor's series on the most important hiring and staffing themes of the year so far, we looked at big changes in the investment teams at the region's insurers.

5. BlackRock shunning Hong Kong property (by Joe Marsh, April 12)

The fund house's Asia head of real estate says the Chinese territory looks “mighty expensive”, but others feel its relentless rise in property prices is justified. 

6. Allianz on Asia property push, eyes lending biz launch (by Joe Marsh, April 2)

The German insurance giant is looking to double its exposure to Asian real estate and may expand its property financing franchise into the region.

7. Asset Management Awards Day 3: the top asset servicers (April 9)

AsianInvestor reveals the winning custodians, index provider, law firm, auditor and compliance adviser in the latest batch of its annual Asset Management awards. 

8. Mooted MPF changes set to affect asset managers (by Jolie Ho, April 21)

Contributions to Hong Kong’s Mandatory Provident Fund scheme are set to rise, boosting the asset pool for fund houses. But that money could also be used for home buying in future.

9. UBS AM open to acquisitions to drive growth (by Indira Vergis, April 18)

Consolidation will continue in the funds industry amid rising cost pressures, with mid-sized firms feeling the tightest squeeze, says Ulrich Koerner, president of UBS Asset Management. 

10. How CreditEase chooses fund managers (by Christina Wang, April 19)