welcome
A word from Paul Hoff,
Managing Director, FTSE Asia Pacific
Global markets remain in flux as we move into the second quarter of 2009. The financial crisis is truly global, with Asia feeling the full effect of the slowdown. Commentators give mixed opinions about when economies will regain growth. However, Asia, being typically resilient, may recover strongly when equity markets have reduced their volatility.
The emerging economic powerhouses of India and China have growing wealthy populations and asset owners for the funds industry to advise, but implementing successful strategies presents its own challenges. It is likely developed nations such as Australia and Japan will continue to minimise losses and devise new pension diversification strategies to mitigate future risk. The market commentary in this issue explores this idea in more detail.
This diverse mix of investment needs and varying stages of market development is at the heart of Asian finance. Despite this, exchanges continue to move forward with new projects. We’ve enhanced our research team in the region to work with the unique needs of partners and clients – developing new bespoke indices and providing insight to market participants. We will soon launch innovative indices covering a diverse range of asset classes – including a plantations index, Asian sectors and a Shariah index for Thailand – and continue to work closely with exchanges to develop indices to meet the needs of international investors. This month brought the news that FTSE has retained the coveted Index Provider of the Year award for 2009 from Global Pensions magazine in addition to winning three industry awards in 2008 in the Asia Pacific region; accolades we’re very proud to receive.
Paul Hoff
Managing Director, FTSE Asia Pacific
also in this issue
Market Commentary
There have been few investment strategies which have been able to escape the current economic downturn and negative returns.
Read the rest of the article »
