Alternatives

These long-term allocators prioritise private credit over public fixed income as they balance returns with discipline in the face of rising risks.

Tokyo’s call for its pension funds to boost domestic allocations could unleash a flow of trillions of yen into government bonds and equities.

Artificial intelligence (AI) remains the dominant investment theme across North Asia, but institutional investors are no longer approaching Japan, South Korea and Taiwan as a single regional trade.

To avoid repeating past portfolio mistakes, insurers and pension funds are imposing strict analytical frameworks, asking for cross-factor analysis from their partners.

The New York-based family office is shifting focus towards opportunities like Japanese SME buyouts and sponsor-led infrastructure credit.

Rapid expansion in solar energy, AI infrastructure and data centres is sharpening the investment case for the white metals.

The asset class cannot be treated as a monolith, as there are critical distinctions across global infrastructure, regional dynamics and liquidity structures, says Simon La Greca.

Insurers should embrace rigorous stress testing and careful evaluation of private markets, says Ageas’ Christian Choi.

As stock-bond correlations change, allocators tap liquid alternatives, systematic hedging and AI infrastructure.

Despite short-term volatility and elevated interest rates, central bank buying and geopolitical uncertainties are driving Asian investors to reinforce their positions in gold for the rest of the year.

Target allocations to defence have stalled due to ESG mandates, illiquidity and scarcity of scaled assets.

Driven by government backing and rising net-zero targets, investors are elevating forestry to a core asset class by pairing commercial timber revenue with carbon credit yields to shield portfolios against market uncertainty.