Malaysia economic growth is expected to remain near the upper end of the central bank’s 4% to 5% forecast range despite higher energy costs linked to conflict in the Middle East. Bank Negara Malaysia Governor Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour said domestic momentum remained resilient and inflation was manageable, although global uncertainty and elevated fuel prices continued to create risks. The central bank kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 2.75% in July for a sixth consecu

Sports investments Asia are accelerating as wealthy families, institutional investors and private equity firms increasingly acquire minority stakes in sports teams, leagues and sports technology businesses rather than traditional sponsorship rights. According to LSEG data, Asia-Pacific sports mergers and acquisitions reached a record USD3.69bn during the year to 13 July, more than 12 times the level recorded a year earlier, while global sports M&A remained broadly stable at U

China private funds have reached a record RMB23.66tr (USD3.5tr), supported by strong growth in private securities investment funds and renewed activity across venture capital and private equity markets. According to the Asset Management Association of China, private securities investment funds exceeded RMB8tr (USD1.2tr) for the first time at the end of June, helping the broader industry record its twelfth consecutive monthly asset record. Assets increased by RMB1.51tr during

The Asia private equity industry is confronting an acute shortage of experienced portfolio company executives, creating new challenges as fundraising accelerates and investors place greater emphasis on operational value creation. Preqin data showed that the ten largest Asia-focused private equity funds closed during the first half of 2026 raised USD45.5bn, more than double the comparable period a year earlier. However, firms are increasingly finding it difficult to recruit ch

The China Renaissance investment theme could mark the beginning of a new phase for Chinese markets, with Bank of Singapore identifying advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence and the digital economy as major long-term drivers of returns. In its 2026 investment outlook, the private bank described "China Renaissance" as one of five structural investment themes expected to shape markets through 2030. It said higher-value manufacturing and North Asia's central role in glo

Chinese wealth diversification continues to support demand for overseas investments, with around half of affluent mainland Chinese investors planning to increase allocations to Hong Kong and US markets during the next 12 months, according to a DBS survey. The poll of 1,617 investors across mainland China and Hong Kong found that 51% of mainland respondents intended to increase exposure to Hong Kong, while 41% favoured US assets. Domestic markets remained important, attracting

Singapore fund managers could face increasing competitive pressure unless tax incentives are strengthened, with the Alternative Investment Management Association warning that portfolio managers and investment professionals are actively considering relocating to Hong Kong and other lower-tax jurisdictions. In a letter to the Monetary Authority of Singapore, AIMA said the trend extended beyond isolated cases, with member firms holding active discussions about relocating staff w

The Hong Kong IPO market could stage one of its strongest years on record, with BDO raising its forecast to between 180 and 200 initial public offerings capable of raising HKD400bn (USD51bn) during 2026. The accounting firm previously expected between 150 listings raising HKD300bn to HKD350bn but upgraded its outlook after approximately 100 companies had already completed flotations, generating HKD260bn. During the first two weeks of July alone, 16 companies collectively rais

Further Thailand investment reforms are needed if the country is to attract greater European investment, according to the EU-Asean Business Council, despite continued interest from international companies in expanding operations. Vice-chair Noel Clehane identified life sciences, biotechnology, advanced manufacturing, low-carbon industries, financial services and consumer products as sectors with significant investment potential. A 2025 survey found that 57% of European busine

A job description and a compact compliance file can make everyday AI use easier to govern. The invisible hire AI rarely enters a family office through the front door. It arrives as a meeting assistant, a document-search feature, a drafting tool or a chatbot used by a busy colleague. Before long, it may have seen board packs, trust documents, contracts, staff records and private family correspondence. The tool has no employment contract, yet it may be doing work that would de

Singapore family offices could benefit from revised investment incentives as the Monetary Authority of Singapore reviews tax concessions while Hong Kong expands measures to attract global wealth managers. According to the Financial Times, the MAS is considering changes to its 10% fund manager tax concession and additional measures to reduce operating costs for investment funds. The review comes as Hong Kong proposes broader preferential tax treatment covering funds, family-ow

Hong Kong GDP is forecast to expand by 4.3% in 2026 as artificial intelligence investment, recovering capital markets and stronger domestic demand support the city's economic outlook, according to Standard Chartered. Senior economist Tommy Wu said Hong Kong is well positioned to benefit from Asia's AI-driven investment cycle through its logistics and trading sectors, noting that more than 70% of electronic products imported into mainland China pass through Hong Kong. Recoveri

UOB Private Bank Hong Kong has appointed Judy Chan as managing director for Hong Kong as the Singapore-based lender continues expanding its wealth management capabilities across Asia. Effective from July 2026, Chan will oversee client coverage, team leadership and the delivery of wealth solutions for high-net-worth individuals while strengthening client engagement and the bank's presence in Hong Kong. She will report to Chew Mun Yew, head of Group Private Bank. Chan brings ne

The South Korea economy is expected to lose momentum during the second quarter of 2026 as weaker domestic demand offsets exceptional export growth driven by artificial intelligence-related semiconductor investment. A Reuters survey forecast quarterly gross domestic product growth of 0.4%, slowing sharply from the revised 1.8% expansion recorded during the first quarter. Annual growth is expected to ease to 3.5% from 3.8%. Exports increased by approximately 71% in June, suppor

Hong Kong family offices are attracting increasing interest from wealthy European families seeking a strategic base for investing across Asia, according to BNP Paribas, as two-way capital flows between Europe and mainland China continue to strengthen. Lemuel Lee, the bank's head of wealth management in Hong Kong, said affluent European clients are increasingly viewing the city as an ideal location for conducting due diligence, sourcing investment opportunities and negotiating

A review of HKEX trading hours could significantly extend access to Hong Kong's equity market as the exchange explores earlier openings, continuous daytime trading and a new evening session to improve international competitiveness. According to Bloomberg, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing is considering beginning cash equity trading at 9 a.m., eliminating the existing one-hour lunch break and introducing an after-hours trading session between 8 p.m. and midnight. The tradition

New South Korea leveraged ETFs are facing tighter regulatory controls after the Financial Supervisory Service ordered asset managers to halt advertising for domestically listed single-stock leveraged and inverse exchange-traded funds with immediate effect. The directive follows broader investor protection measures requiring buyers to deposit at least KRW30m (USD20,291), purchase a minimum of 20 shares and complete three hours of mandatory education before trading the products

Vietnam financial planning remains underdeveloped despite investors gradually diversifying their portfolios, according to a nationwide survey by Thien Viet Securities. The study of 1,000 investors holding at least VND500m (USD19,047) in assets found that bank deposits, property and gold still accounted for 87% of total household investments. While 55% of respondents used between two and three investment channels and 39% invested across four or five asset classes, equities, bo

The KWAP eFishery investment has prompted Malaysia's Retirement Fund Inc to pursue legal action and seek recovery of invested capital after the Finance Ministry described the Indonesian aquaculture company's collapse as the result of a "well-planned fraud". In a parliamentary reply, the ministry said KWAP and other investors had begun legal proceedings while reviewing governance, monitoring and investment oversight procedures. Officials stressed that the pension fund had foll

The Southeast Asia IPO market delivered stronger fundraising during the first half of 2026 despite a decline in new listings, as larger transactions in Malaysia and Singapore offset subdued activity elsewhere, according to EY. The region completed 35 initial public offerings that raised USD2.5bn, representing an 85% increase in proceeds despite deal volume falling 30% compared with a year earlier. Malaysia dominated activity with 28 IPOs raising USD1.4bn, while Singapore gene