Growth trumps green credentials in much of corporate Asia, but the pension fund insists it can use its ownership position to foster greater climate consciousness.
The new head of investments at the world’s third-largest pension fund has the relevant experience to steer the asset allocation strategy at the Korean state pension fund, sources tell AsianInvestor.
While far from immune to global economic weakness and risks, the APAC region has more resilient growth projections in the medium term, buoyed by its growing middle class, says Richard van den Berg, fund manager for M&G Asia Property Strategy.
An initial announcement by the life insurer to delay a foreign-currency bond redemption got called back, stoking concerns about the general economical situation in Korea, where institutions have been tested by a depreciating won.
Unfortunate circumstances have fuelled a wait-and-see investment approach by Korean asset owners for the rest of the year, AsianInvestor learned while in Seoul. Still, asset managers would be wise to visit Korea in the near future.
The sovereign wealth fund is taking steps to align its portfolio to higher ESG standards by becoming the second Korean asset owner to join the UN-supported framework.
The South Korean national pension fund has seen domestic investments dragging down returns in 2022, but public pressure has made it hard to neglect the Korean market.
Turmoil in global markets and useful background are seen as major reasons for the Korean sovereign wealth fund to recruit their new chief investment officer internally, sources told AsianInvestor. A new chief risk officer is brought in from Bank of Korea.
Singapore's Temasek and the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority participates in China-based biotech firm funding round; NGS Super has divested from oil and gas exploration and production companies as it works towards a carbon-neutral portfolio by 2030; head of strategy and innovation will be promoted as the chief investment officer of Korea Investment Corporation; and more.