As 2019 draws to a close, the year will surely be remembered as the moment when Asia’s capital markets reached a new stage of maturity. With tensions between the US and China simmering in the background throughout the year, Asian companies were still able to access capital when needed, and capital allocation became much more efficient. The uncertain backdrop made investors selective, and even the underdeveloped Chinese credit market showed signs of differentiating between good prospects and bad. In the equity markets, follow-on offerings and...Read more
To purchase printed copies or a PDF of this report, please email leonie.welss@lseg.com and shahid.hamid@lseg.com
Heavy hitters
Investment bankers had to work hard to hit their targets in Asia in 2019, but one firm stood out on the key themes of the year. For its commitment to Asian clients and for doing more with less, Credit Suisse is IFR Asia’s Bank of the Year.
Made to measure
In a year when South-East Asia provided a welcome alternative to a slowing Chinese market, one bank best captured the opportunities. For its measured approach and increasingly integrated capital markets offering, DBS is IFR Asia’s Asian Bank of the Year.
Profile building
After revamping its approach to wholesale funding, one bank furthered its reputation in 2019 as a committed and consistent issuer across the local and global capital markets. For its long-term thinking and exemplary execution, United Overseas Bank is IFR Asia’s Issuer of the Year.
Trade tensions between Beijing and Washington are threatening to spill over into the capital markets, with some policymakers even calling for a ban on Chinese listings in the US. Just how far can it go?
As Japanese fund managers broaden their search for yield, international issuers are finding they no longer need to spend time and money to prepare local language documentation. But old habits die hard and lengthy marketing periods are still standard practice.
A selection of numbers and charts that illustrate the events of 2019
Highlights of the year in black and white
More adventures of bond banker reginald sellars
Alternative definitions of the year’s buzzwords
Methodology