AsianInvestor’s most read articles: January 2018

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

1. How Mifid II will impact Asian asset management (January 3)

The new rules from the European Securities and Markets Authority will affect research consumption and fund distribution in Asia. 

2. Fund houses in "feeding frenzy" for China staff (By Joe Marsh, January 10)

Foreign asset managers are fast ramping up their China growth plans, say recruiters. With investment management WFOEs tipped to double in 2018, a talent bottleneck is forming. 

3. Market Views: The assets to avoid in 2018 (January 25)

In the first instalment of our new regular column, industry experts give their views on what the worst performing asset class will be this year.

4. UBP AM raids Robeco for Asia equity CIO (By Joe Marsh, January 15)

Swiss group UBP's asset management arm has lured a senior portfolio manager from its Dutch rival.

5. Mercer poaches Janet Li from rival Willis Towers Watson (By Jolie Ho, January 2)

Li has joined the US consultancy firm from Willis Towers Watson, and will have expanded coverage in her new capacity.

6. Asia could see Mifid-lite regulations by 2020 (By Richard Newell, January 29)

The introduction of tougher fee disclosure rules in Europe spells bad news for high charging fund groups in Asia, as local regulators look to emulate the Mifid II rules.

7. Mercer's Asia wealth head exits for own venture (By Indira Vergis, January 5)

Steven Seow has left the consultancy to focus on building up his own business, which connects bankers to projects. This follows a senior shake-up at the firm early last year.

8. BlackRock merges client lines, shuffles heads (By Joe Marsh, January 23)

The US fund house has named new Asia-Pacific heads for its newly unified client business and for digital wealth, underscoring its growing focus on technology.

9. China insurers ordered to better scrutinise PPP investing (By Jolie Ho, January 21)

The country's insurers are facing tighter regulations in their investment activities, with a new set of rules restricting their investments into public-private partnerships.

10. New rules seen to impact private fund launches in HK (By Indira Vergis, January 24)

Changes to the fund manager code of conduct will provide more information about  private funds to investors, but could also create an entry barrier to new launches, said experts.