Asia Pacific

State-owned enterprises have emerged as a critical agent for Indonesia’s government to spur economic growth during the pandemic. Their importance is only likely to rise in the future, writes Rashmi Kumar.

The Indonesian authorities have used nearly every trick in their fiscal and monetary policy playbook to kick-start an economy hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic. The results are slowly showing, but there is an uphill battle ahead, writes Rashmi Kumar.

Foreign central bank action sparked arbitrage opportunities in Swiss francs to shrink in 2020, so investors took a more domestic approach. As foreign issuance dries up, so too do Swissie mandates for international desks. Frank Jackman reports.

HSBC rejigs IB team – LBBW builds up in Asia – MSCI ditches some Chinese stocks

How important is reading the offering circular (OC) on a bond? Not very, according to some investors. However, that approach sets a dangerous precedent.

US-listed Chinese companies have raised more than $12bn from equity investors in the past month, with iQiyi becoming the latest to simultaneously sell a convertible bond and price a follow-on offering of its American depositary shares. With valuations soaring for many of these stocks, bankers expect more issuers to jump into the market in 2021, writes Jonathan Breen.

Dollar bond sales from India have seen a last minute pick-up before the year-end, with three firms pricing their deals in the past week. Indian companies, like the rest of the region, faced hurdles in accessing offshore funding this year, but bankers are optimistic about 2021. Morgan Davis reports.

Xinyi Solar Holdings has raised HK$3.9bn ($503.1m) after more than doubling the size of an overnight placement of primary shares.

Asia’s first blue loan has sparked debate among market observers about the potential of the asset class amid rising interest from borrowers for ESG-focused funding. While expectations are high for the blue loan market’s development in 2021, challenges remain, writes Rashmi Kumar.

Well, dear readers, who could have guessed what this year would bring?

Embassy Office Parks Real Estate Investment Trust has has raised Rp36.84bn ($500.9m) from an issue of new stock, according to a source close to the deal.

Kerry Express, a Thailand-based delivery company, has raised Bt8.4bn ($279.5m) after sealing its IPO at the top of the marketed range.