We find ourselves in a precarious situation with the coronavirus. This pandemic has had significant implications for people, communities, businesses, financial markets and by extension, investors. As one asset manager puts it, we are in a “fragile Goldilocks situation”.
The outbreak has significantly impacted livelihoods and companies are coming under scrutiny from the public over social and governance concerns. The importance of investing for people and communities over the long-term has never been more acute, and the explosive growth of ESG over the past couple of years has put asset managers in pole position to make a meaningful impact.
One of our primary needs is shelter, and traditionally, this has been a safe haven in good times and bad. Allocations to real estate have been high across the world, but can this continue? This report delves into global real estate, China’s path to premiumisation, the approach that asset managers are adopting amid a cocktail of global volatility and the implications of India’s 2020 budget.
In a fast-moving world where much has ground to a halt, including travel, we hope to be back on the road and see many of you when it is safe and appropriate to do so. But technology can help us stay in touch in the meantime. Until then, be well.
Romil Patel, Funds Global and ESG Editor
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