Watch the APAC Investment Forum 2024 highlights
The video below showcases some of the fantastic sessions taking place during the forum. The sessions focused on abrdn's investment capabilities across Fixed Income, Equities, Multi-Asset and Alternatives.
Exploring key investment themes
The forum explored key investment themes through various sessions, including:
- Opening address: Rene Buehlmann, CEO of abrdn’s Investments business, stressed the importance of collaboration during challenging markets.
- When politics meets economics: This session discussed the impact of geopolitics on investments, featuring external speaker Manu Bhaskaran, Founding Director/CEO, Centennial Asia Advisors.
- Key investment themes for 2024: Experts debated the outlook for different asset classes this year, sharing non consensus thinking and at times challenging the house view for a vigorous discussion.
- Other sessions: The forum also covered topics like Asia’s green transition, income investing, emerging markets, and alternative investments.
The current landscape of potentially lower rates in the US provides a great opportunity across a wide range of asset classes; in particular fixed income and emerging markets, with alternatives continuing to provide diversification. It’s a good time to make a difference in your portfolios.
Rene buehlmann, investments ceo, abrdn
Key takeaways from abrdn’s APAC Investment Forum
Following the sessions, 5 key takeaways were highlighted:
- House View: Be aware of political, economic and market uncertainty; yet it’s time to activate cash, focus on quality, look for income and diversify into assets less correlated with stocks and bonds.
- Income: Income-generating assets help mitigate risks and make portfolios more resilient across economic cycles. Diversify across equity, fixed income and multi-asset investments with funds that have quality assets and deliver stable income.
- Emerging markets: Emerging markets are attractive again, after being restrained by higher interest rates over the past couple of years. From emerging market corporate debt to the Indian bond market to income-generating stocks, there are several options.
- Alternatives: Interest in alternative assets is increasing as investors seek higher returns, inflation hedge and diversification benefits. Look for opportunities in European residential and logistics, as well as in private credit.
- Sustainability: Asia contributes to 50% of global carbon emissions. Yet the region is also one of the biggest opportunities for investors in renewable energy. Energy grid upgrades, ‘brown’ companies with credible transition plans and public-private partnerships are three examples.
A great event with positive feedback
The event was very well received by clients who found the sessions to be insightful and memorable.
“Memorable speakers, making sense of geopolitical tensions and investment opportunities…”
“A high-tech, immersive experience from the moment of check in…the panel discussion sessions were insightful in showcasing abrdn’s capabilities.”
To discover more about abrdn’s Income strategies, click here.