Asia Centric by Bloomberg Intelligence: Recent Episodes
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For all its vastness and power, Asia remains a mystery to global investors. John Lee and Tom Corbett, both with Bloomberg Intelligence in Hong Kong talk with the experts who know Asia best, unspooling its riddles and peeling back its layers with fascinating stories and insights at the intersection of business, wealth, and power. Investors will come away with new understanding of the risks and opportunities that await in a region rife with complexity, yet teeming with ambition and potential.
Memory chips have been the standout trade of the AI boom, but July brought a sharp reality check. Global semiconductor stocks whipsawed as investors began questioning the return on hundreds of billions in data-center spending. Market jitters deepened after Chinese startup Moonshot released its open-source Kimi K3 model at a fraction of the cost of US frontier AI architectures. Compounding these concerns is the rise of CXMT, China’s leading DRAM supplier, whose stock surged fivefold following a blockbuster IPO – raising fears of aggressive capacity expansion that could disrupt incumbents such as Samsung, SK Hynix and Micron.
Jake Silverman, semiconductor analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence, joins John Lee on the Asia Centric podcast. He unpacks why fundamental support for the memory sector remains solid, how high-bandwidth memory (HBM) creates a structural cap on standard DRAM supply, and why multi-year strategic supply contracts and extended fab construction lead times insulate incumbents from an immediate market collapse.
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Prediction markets are rapidly emerging as one of the fastest-growing asset classes in global finance. Driven by market leaders such as Kalshi and Polymarket, annual trading volume on real-world outcomes — from political elections to major sporting events — is projected to surge to $300 billion this year, with the potential to reach $1 trillion by 2030. But a high-stakes regulatory battle is looming: state gambling regulators argue these sports-heavy contracts constitute illegal gambling, while operators insist they are federally regulated derivatives under the purview of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
Brian Egger, senior gaming and lodging analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence, joins John Lee on the Asia Centric podcast. They discuss the regulatory showdown, the impact on traditional sportsbooks such as DraftKings and FanDuel, and how financial markets utilize prediction market odds as real-time sentiment indicators.
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The disruption in the Strait of Hormuz upended global energy markets, but the feared catastrophic oil shock never materialized. Prior to the Middle East conflict, about 20 million barrels of oil and products flowed through the maritime chokepoint every day. Due to regional bypass pipelines, strategic reserve releases and voluntary demand reductions from China, the global system absorbed the impact. Now, major producers and exposed Asian consumers are doubling down on long-term diversification to secure their supply chains.
Salih Yilmaz, senior equity research analyst covering energy, oil and gas at Bloomberg Intelligence, joins John Lee on the Asia Centric podcast. He outlines his "Peak Hormuz" thesis, detailing how global energy flows are rapidly realigning, the structural shift toward energy resilience, and what this means for near-term oil prices.
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Chinese consumer sentiment isn't collapsing across the board, but retail sales growth is projected to hit a four-year low. While big-ticket categories like home appliances and autos crumble under subsidy fatigue, highly resilient segments are holding ground, particularly cosmetics, luxury, and premium sportswear. In e-commerce, Alibaba and rival giants are locked in a margin-crushing battle over agentic AI to capture shrinking wallets.
Catherine Lim, APAC head of Bloomberg Intelligence and senior consumer and technology analyst, joins John Lee to unpack her latest retail survey. Catherine reveals exactly where the wealthy plan to spend next -- which players, like Laopu Gold, are winning over shoppers, and how AI agents are reshaping the digital marketplace.
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A massive convergence of artificial intelligence, energy and security is sparking what is likely to be the largest and longest energy investment cycle in history, according to Morgan Stanley. Driven by the demands of AI data centers and a strategic shift from "just-in-time" cost efficiency to "just-in-case" resilience, more than $5 trillion in new-energy investments is projected for Asia over the next five years.
Mayank Maheshwari, equity analyst at Morgan Stanley, joins John Lee on the Asia Centric podcast to break down this monumental shift. They discuss the rewiring of regional supply chains, how these investments will be financed, and the far-reaching implications across every asset class, sector and geography.
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What's driving Japan's historic bull market? And why are global investors finally returning to Tokyo after years on the sidelines? According to Goldman Sachs, it’s a rare convergence of factors including the global AI trade, inflation, corporate governance reform and an evolving macroeconomic landscape.
The firm also believes a regime shift is underway in the market, moving focus away from the high-growth, asset-light sectors such as software that dominated the past decade. Instead, they highlight a transition into "HALO" stocks: heavy assets, low obsolescence. These capital-intensive sectors, such as utilities and telecommunications, offer defensive barriers that can protect against AI disruption and geopolitical friction.
Bruce Kirk, chief Japan equity strategist at Goldman Sachs, joins John Lee on the Asia Centric podcast to unpack these trends and discuss the implications of Japan's changing market dynamics.
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The rise of single-stock ETFs, especially CSOP's 2x leveraged SK Hynix ETF listed in Hong Kong, is reshaping market dynamics. The daily rebalancing of these massive funds is contributing to higher volatility in equity markets, creating new challenges for investors. At the same time, high concentration risk and narrow market leadership are fundamentally changing how investors think about hedging.
In this special episode, featuring an excerpt recorded at the Singapore Volatility Forum on June 3, Oliver Chan, portfolio manager at Capula Investment Management; Stephane Martin, APAC head of derivatives institutional sales at Optiver; and Ivan Nurminsky, portfolio manager at Dymon, join Bloomberg News' Lianting Tu to discuss the hidden risks and opportunities in today's derivatives markets, including the surging popularity of the dispersion trade.
To listen to the full recording of the Forum beyond this excerpt, including the opening speech by Bloomberg Intelligence chief global derivatives strategist Tanvir Sandhu on multi-asset volatility strategy and more, please click on the link to our sister podcast, FICC Focus. We hope you enjoy this episode.
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/all-options-considered-volatility-forum-singapore-2026/id1589459799?i=1000773012810
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4bRLGabkpuzCdg1xxCCUGP
Bloomberg Terminal: {NSN TGQJMKKJH6V8
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China is rewriting the global energy playbook, rapidly transforming into a clean energy powerhouse and emerging as the world's first "electrostate". While the Iran war has rattled global commodity markets, Beijing has successfully absorbed the shock due to a decade-long pivot toward domestic renewable energy. Now, it's positioning itself to reap economic rewards by exporting its green infrastructure to the rest of the world.
Jian Chang, Chief China Economist, and Dave Dai, APAC Head of Sustainable Investing Research, both from Barclays, join John Lee on the Asia Centric podcast. Together they unpack the economics behind China's green infrastructure exports and, with the US doubling down on fossil fuels, debate who will ultimately win the global energy race.
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China's property market is showing signs of life after a five-year slump, prompting some analysts to call for a long-awaited rebound. Price declines for newly built homes are narrowing, while transaction volumes are finally ticking up, particularly in top-tier cities. But is this a significant turnaround or just a dead cat bounce?
Leonid Mironov, a fund manager at Gavekal Capital, joins host John Lee on the Asia Centric podcast. He breaks down why he believes the real estate sector is bottoming out rather than roaring back and explains why markets might be too bearish on China's consumption narrative. Mironov also discusses Beijing's "anti-involution" measures to curb cutthroat competition and details where investors can still find high-quality opportunities aligned with the government's 15th Five-Year Plan.
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Australia is emerging as a surprising beneficiary of new technological shifts, even as the country faces a growth hit from the Middle East war. Rapidly accelerating data construction is driving an unprecedented demand for copper, while battery solutions are fueling a massive consumption of lithium. Escalating geopolitical tension is also providing a powerful tailwind for rare earths as Western nations hunt for secure ex-China supply – all of which is highly positive for the country's mining sector.
Meanwhile, sticky inflation has forced the Reserve Bank of Australia to become one of the most hawkish central banks in the world, raising interest rates three times already this year. While high rates are dampening demand and cooling house prices, they are also proving to be a boon for earnings of the country's banks and insurers.
Bloomberg Intelligence senior analyst Matt Ingram joins John Lee on the Asia Centric podcast to discuss how these structural forces are reshaping corporate earnings, pushing the economy to move up the value chain, and redefining Australia's "lucky country" moniker.
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South Korea remains the world's hottest stock market, surging more than 250% over the past 18 months led by semiconductor giants Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, which together account for over half of the entire Kospi index.
Fueled by the global AI infrastructure buildout, retail investors have poured close to $40 billion into the local market, sparking concerns about rising leverage and market volatility. A two-times leveraged SK Hynix ETF launched by CSOP in Hong Kong in October has already attracted inflows of more than $5 billion, making it the largest single-stock ETF in the world. Korean issuers are following suit with new domestic leveraged ETFs tied to these semiconductor giants.
Peter Kim, managing director and investment strategist at KB Securities in Seoul, joins John Lee on the Asia Centric podcast. Kim discusses the sustainability of the current bull market and the risks associated with momentum-driven retail investors. He also unpacks the corporate governance reforms aiming to attract longer-term capital and explains why global institutional investors are selling into the rally.
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Exchange-traded funds are fundamentally reshaping how capital is allocated, skyrocketing to a $22 trillion global industry that Bloomberg Intelligence estimates will surpass $50 trillion by 2035. Investors no longer view them simply as vehicles for broad passive exposure. Instead, ETFs have evolved into portfolio "Lego blocks" used to manage cash yields, seek downside protection and access previously difficult asset classes such as Bitcoin. This intersection of ETFs and digital assets is also driving broader financial innovation, spurring a lively debate around the future tokenization of equities.
Samara Cohen, Global Head of Market Development at BlackRock, and Nicholas Peach, Head of APAC iShares, join host John Lee and special co-host Rebecca Sin on the Asia Centric podcast. Dialing in from the iShares ETF certification conference in Singapore, they discuss the evolution of the ETF wrapper, the growing buzz around prediction markets and why Asia’s ETF landscape – despite currently lagging behind the US and Europe – is poised for phenomenal growth over the next decade.
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The post-pandemic era transformed private credit into one of the hottest areas in finance as investors chased double-digit returns, creating a multi-trillion-dollar industry. Now, the narrative is quickly shifting as default rates climb, high-profile bankruptcies expose hidden leverage, and some major funds suddenly freeze withdrawals. So just how worried should we be, and what about Asian private credit specifically?
Steve Smith, co-founder of Maybole Capital Partners and a finance veteran who has weathered eight credit cycles over his 40-year career, joins John Lee on the Asia Centric podcast. He outlines why he believes Asia is already in the "bust" phase of the credit cycle and explains why the region's bespoke, multi-jurisdictional private credit market is inherently riskier than the highly standardized US market. Smith also discusses his family office's strategic investments, highlighting catastrophe bonds as an alternative fixed-income asset offering highly consistent, uncorrelated returns.
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The war in Iran and high oil prices are driving a surge in demand for China's electric vehicles abroad, with sales in March jumping more than 50% in countries such as Australia, Brazil and Germany. However, the domestic market paints a bleaker picture. Total domestic auto sales slumped 17% in the first quarter amid a brutal price war, subsidy pullbacks and a new 5% EV tax. Adding to the pressure, global giants like Volkswagen are fighting back with new, highly competitive models, leveraging a localized cost base to regain their footing in the world's largest auto market.
Bloomberg Intelligence's Michael Dean, head of global autos research, and Joanna Chen, Asia autos analyst, join John Lee on the Asia Centric podcast fresh from their trip to the Beijing Auto Show. They unpack the sheer scale of the event, which featured 1,400 cars on display, highlighting the intense competition driven by advanced tech and aggressive pricing. The analysts also discuss how foreign automakers are learning toward exporting vehicles using "China speed" and explore the outlook for Europe's ultra-luxury brands such as Ferrari.
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Earnings season is officially underway and Asia's technology giants are setting the early pace. TSMC, Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix have all delivered strong numbers, prompting analysts to significantly raise earnings expectations for South Korea and Taiwan – two of the world's best-performing stock markets.
These three tech behemoths are now challenging the "Magnificent Seven" as some of the most profitable companies in the world. Yet despite this massive growth, Korean chipmakers are trading at just a fraction of Mag 7 valuations, suggesting investors aren’t fully convinced we’re in a multi-year memory supercycle.
Meanwhile, why is China lagging behind in the broader AI-fueled rally? And are investors becoming too complacent by fading the geopolitical risks of the Iran war? Marvin Chen, Asia equity strategist for Bloomberg Intelligence, joins John Lee on the Asia Centric podcast to make sense of the latest earnings.
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Singapore's stability and business-friendly environment have long made it the regional hub of choice for tech giants such as Amazon, Google and ByteDance. However, the city-state's traditional role as a bridge between East and West is under pressure. Rising protectionism, technological decoupling and a global retreat from free trade now threaten the open flows of capital that built its wealth.
To defend its crown, Singapore is going on the offensive. The government is pouring a fresh S$1 billion into public AI research, expanding critical infrastructure like Changi Airport, and pursuing capital market reform, including a tie-up with the Nasdaq. Will Singapore continue to thrive as a global hub? And will measures aimed at improving liquidity be enough to revive its IPO market? Sarah Jane Mahmud, senior financials analyst for Bloomberg Intelligence, joins host John Lee to discuss Singapore's global ambitions.
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Corporate governance reform has acted as a major catalyst for stock markets in Japan and South Korea. Now, Southeast Asia is eager to get in on the action, with countries from Vietnam to Indonesia rolling out new measures to entice foreign capital back to the region. But is Southeast Asia – a market historically saddled with a perception of poor corporate governance – truly ready to embrace shareholder activism?
Christopher Beselin, CIO and founding partner at Endurance Capital, a shareholder activist fund based in Ho Chi Minh City, joins John Lee on the Asia Centric podcast. Beselin unpacks why the region's $3 trillion market is ripe for a collaborative style of activism. He also explains why Vietnam's export-driven growth model makes it a regional standout, and how lower tax regimes give Southeast Asia a unique advantage over Japan and South Korea in realizing shareholder value.
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Taiwan's economy defied all expectations to post a staggering 8.7% real GDP growth in 2025. This unprecedented expansion was driven by a boom in semiconductor sales, with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) fueling a current account surplus of nearly 20% of GDP. The tech giant is so dominant that it now accounts for more than 44% of Taiwan's stock exchange weighted index.
But can this extraordinary, semiconductor-led growth continue? The heavy reliance on TSMC is creating a K-shaped recovery, which poses a headache for the central bank. With inflation relatively low despite the headline growth, policymakers face a dilemma: how to manage interest rates without stifling the broader domestic economy, and whether the Taiwan dollar should be allowed to appreciate beyond the tight trading range it’s maintained for 30 years.
Paul Cavey, an independent economist, founder of East Asia Econ, and former Asia macro strategist at Wellington Management, joins host John Lee from Taipei to unpack these macroeconomic challenges. Cavey discusses Taiwan’s unique re-industrialization story, its strategic pivot away from mainland China, and why demographic constraints and labor shortages are finally pushing domestic wages higher.
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The Iran war is refocusing global attention on the critical supply chains that power modern military arsenals. Rare earths are essential components in advanced weaponry, from fighter jets to interceptor missiles such as THAAD and Patriot. However, with Chinese export restrictions increasingly targeting equipment with military end-uses, Western nations are facing a critical shortage of the materials needed to rearm.
How long will it take for countries to counter China's near-monopoly and achieve true supply independence? And beyond the defense sector, what is the long-term growth potential for the industry as demand accelerates for electric vehicles, AI data centers, and advanced humanoid robotics?
Jack Baxter, Global Metals and Mining Analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence, joins host John Lee on the Asia Centric podcast. Together, they unpack the unprecedented deals reshaping the market and explore how Western miners – including MP Materials and Lynas Rare Earths – are positioned to capitalize on this shift.
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Manufacturing the world's most advanced semiconductors demands a massive, uninterrupted supply of electricity. In Taiwan, the technology sector alone accounts for a staggering one-quarter of the economy's total power consumption. However, the war in the Middle East is exposing deep vulnerabilities for both South Korea and Taiwan, as these vital chipmaking hubs rely heavily on oil, LNG and chemical gases flowing through the region.
If the conflict drags on, exactly how long can strategic energy reserves last in Seoul and Taipei? Could sudden power shortages during the high-demand summer peak season derail the global rollout of AI infrastructure? And what emergency measures can policymakers implement to secure their grids, such as shifting generation mixes or pivoting back to nuclear power?
Bum Ki Son, Barclays’ senior regional economist covering South Korea and Taiwan, and Dave Dai, its head of APAC sustainable investing research, join John Lee on the Asia Centric podcast. They unpack the energy choke points threatening the region's tech dominance and explore the viable alternatives for sourcing power.
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The Iran war and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz have triggered one of the largest energy supply shocks in modern history, sending Brent crude surging past $100 a barrel. With nearly 80% of the trapped crude and LNG destined for Asia, the region is exceptionally vulnerable to these bottlenecks. But the crisis extends well beyond energy – crippled supplies of critical inputs such as helium, aluminum and fertilizers threaten a broader inflationary spike across regional manufacturing and agriculture sectors.
This creates a complex dilemma for monetary policymakers. Central banks must navigate the sudden inflationary jolt of $100 oil against the structural headwinds of slowing growth and the threat of AI-related job losses. The balancing act is proving especially tricky for the Reserve Bank of Australia and the Bank of Japan. Louis Kuijs, Chief Economist for Asia-Pacific at S&P Global Ratings, joins John Lee on the Asia Centric podcast to unpack the vulnerabilities of Asia's net energy importers, the outlook for regional currencies, and why central bankers face an unenviable trade-off.
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China has long relied on massive infrastructure spending and an unstoppable export engine, leading to a record $1.2 trillion trade surplus last year. However, this investment-heavy strategy is testing its limits as global trading partners increasingly push back, making Beijing's transition toward a consumption-based economy more critical than ever.
But how achievable is this transition, and how long will it take? Hao Hong, Chief Economist and Chief Investment Officer at Lotus Asset Management, joins John Lee on the Asia Centric podcast to weigh in. He also breaks down the current regime shift in raw materials, explaining why the global economy is entering a new commodity supercycle driven by Western supply chain investments, AI infrastructure demands and a decade of severe industry underinvestment.
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Opportunities in fixed income are the best in over a decade, according to BlackRock. Investors can now build a 6% yielding portfolio without taking on the substantial credit or long-duration risks required in the past. Meanwhile, central bank policies have become desynchronized globally, creating a unique environment where Asian local bonds are negatively correlated to US debt. This wide dispersion in rates is creating unprecedented opportunities for investors to diversify portfolios and differentiate returns.
Navin Saigal, head of global fixed income, Asia Pacific at BlackRock, joins John Lee on the Asia Centric podcast. He discusses how the AI and tech revolution is driving productivity gains and high GDP growth alongside a net-negative job environment — a dynamic that could put a dampener on global inflation. Saigal also explains why Asian local bonds remain among the most compelling, yet under-owned, diversification opportunities in the market today.
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The US dollar is under pressure again as shifting geopolitical risks – from uncertain tariff policies to the Greenland controversy – drive a renewed case for currency diversification and weigh heavily on the greenback. This is being compounded by a widening global policy rift: the Federal Reserve remains on track for multiple rate cuts this year, while other central banks, including Australia and Japan, move in the opposite direction.
Is the 15-year dollar bull market officially over? Audrey Childe-Freeman, Chief FX Strategist at Bloomberg Intelligence, joins John Lee on the Asia Centric podcast to unpack the dollar’s recent trajectory. She also discusses why the Swiss franc, euro, Australian dollar, and gold have strong tailwinds in 2026.
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After hitting a nine-year low in early 2025, Hong Kong's residential property market is showing concrete signs of a turnaround. Home prices have rebounded 9% from their recent trough, fueled by the removal of all property cooling measures and a surge in transaction volumes. Even the commercial sector - still beset by high office vacancy rates - is seeing green shoots, driven by a resurgence in financial services and IPO activity.
Can Hong Kong truly decouple from the ongoing property crisis in mainland China? And with the US Federal Reserve entering an easing cycle, will lower borrowing costs be enough to sustain this recovery?
Rosanna Tang, Head of Research at Cushman & Wakefield, and Patrick Wong, senior property analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence, join host John Lee to crunch the numbers. Together, they unpack the "wealth effect" driven by a rebounding stock market, the impact of a 270,000-strong influx of talent on the leasing sector, and why it's now often cheaper to buy than to rent in the world’s most expensive housing market.
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A surprising new bottleneck has emerged in the global AI infrastructure build-out: memory chips. Major manufacturers including SK Hynix, Micron and Samsung Electronics have effectively run out of capacity, sparking a scramble among customers to secure supply.
Contract prices for certain DRAM chips surged 78% in the fourth quarter alone, with another 50% jump forecast by March. This price shock is creating a squeeze — especially for makers of smartphones, PCs and automobiles — as memory suppliers prioritize high-margin AI chips over "legacy" components. The result is a widening supply gap that threatens to leave consumer electronics companies struggling to secure essential parts through 2027.
MS Hwang, research director at Counterpoint Research, joins John Lee and Bloomberg News technology editor Vlad Savov on the Asia Centric podcast. They unpack the dynamics of the shortage and how Chinese upstarts are racing to fill the void.
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Global military budgets are surging at a pace unseen since the Cold War, fueling a defense-spending supercycle. NATO allies are aiming to spend up to 5% of GDP on defense by 2035, while Asian powers such as Japan and South Korea are also boosting spending. This environment has been a boon for defense stocks, with South Korea's Hanwha Aerospace rising a spectacular 2,600% since the start of the Russia-Ukraine War, even eclipsing Rheinmetall's 1,700% run.
Is the defense spending supercycle sustainable? And which companies and countries stand to benefit from this surge? Wayne Sanders, senior defense analyst and retired US army colonel, and Eric Zhu, aerospace and defense analyst – both at Bloomberg Intelligence – join John Lee on the Asia Centric podcast. They also discuss the evolving roles of air defense, hypersonics and space in future conflicts.
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Humanoid robots have become one of the hottest investment themes, with a basket of Asian-related stocks rising more than 70% over the past year. The technology stole the show at CES 2026 with eye-opening demos from Boston Dynamics and Unitree, while expectations for Tesla's Optimus are increasing as the company races toward production this year.
Yet, expectations may be outpacing commercial reality. While some street estimates project revenue in the hundreds of billions, Bloomberg Intelligence takes a more measured view, forecasting a $5 billion total addressable market for automotive assembly by 2035.
Takeshi Kitaura, senior industrials analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence, joins host John Lee to dissect the sector's outlook. They explore the emergence of “physical AI”, the viability of replacing human labor on factory floors, and whether the US or China holds the advantage in this evolving race.
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India's stock market has seen an explosion in retail participation, skyrocketing to more than 125 million registered investors from 20 million pre-pandemic. While 70% of these new investors are under 30, the boom is broad based: female participation has surged to nearly a quarter of the market, and half of all accounts now hail from rural areas. However, this new cohort's desire for "instant gratification" has fueled a speculative frenzy in derivatives, prompting regulator SEBI to step in with new rules to cool the market.
Jayprakash Gupta, founder of online trading platform Dhan, joins John Lee to explain how wide-ranging digitization efforts – from banking access to mobile penetration – laid the foundation for this growth. He discusses the impact of SEBI's recent crackdown on trading volumes and explains why he remains bullish on India's financial markets, pointing to low penetration rates, strong mutual fund inflows and a robust pipeline of IPOs.
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Launching a multi-strategy hedge fund has never been tougher. Giants such as Millennium, Point72 and Citadel dominate the space, while spiraling pay and a fierce "war for talent" have pushed entry barriers higher than ever. So why leave a top role at one of the world’s biggest funds to start a rival?
Jonathan Xiong, CEO & CIO of Arrowpoint Investment Partners and former co-CEO of Millennium in Asia, joins John Lee on the Asia Centric podcast to answer that question. With more than $1.5 billion in assets and growing, Arrowpoint is one of the most significant launches out of the region in recent years. Xiong discusses the difficulties of starting a multi-strategy fund, the hidden dangers of the "cost pass-through" model, and how he stood out from the crowd by identifying a unique gap in the Asian market.
This episode was recorded in December 2025.
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Geopolitical risk is often seen as a market threat, yet the rivalry between Washington and Beijing is driving a wave of investment opportunities. The US push for re-industrialization is boosting demand for Asian exports in sectors such as shipbuilding, power generation and semiconductors while China’s investment in "new productive forces" accelerates its high-end manufacturing upgrade.
Timothy Moe, chief Asia-Pacific equity strategist at Goldman Sachs, joins John Lee on the Asia Centric podcast. Moe explains why technology will remain a dominant theme in 2026 and why the firm is overweight Asia ex-Japan, forecasting the region will outperform the US and Europe. He also details why South Korea remains his top pick, citing 35% projected earnings growth and reasonable valuations, and outlines the rationale for his recent upgrade of India.
This will also be our last episode for 2025 and we will re-commence on January 8 with a new line up of exciting speakers.
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SoftBank is doubling down on artificial intelligence with a $30 billion commitment to OpenAI and ambitious plans for Stargate – even as risks mount. After a 200% surge earlier this year, shares tumbled 40% in November when Google’s Gemini 3.0 gained traction, threatening ChatGPT’s dominant position in the AI race. Credit stress is rising, with CDS widening to nearly 300 basis points as funding concerns build. Investors and creditors are increasingly uneasy as OpenAI now accounts for about 20% of SoftBank’s net assets, turning what was once seen as a bold growth play into a potential source of concentrated risk.
Bloomberg Intelligence equity analyst Kirk Boodry and credit analyst Sharon Chen join John Lee on the Asia Centric podcast. Together they unpack SoftBank’s AI ambitions, its reliance on margin loans and the implications of circular financing. They also weigh up Masayoshi Son’s track record – spectacular wins such as Alibaba and painful failures like WeWork – against his latest AI gamble.
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It’s time to look ahead and make bold predictions for Asia in 2026. After a standout year, Asian equities are on track to beat the S&P 500 by the widest margin in eight years. Can the rally continue, and which markets will lead? Are investors overlooking US funding stress, potential QE, and the risks behind multi-decade tight credit spreads? And what’s next for Asian currencies and gold?
Asia Centric convenes Bloomberg Intelligence strategists for a forward-looking discussion. Host John Lee is joined by Senior Equity Strategist Marvin Chen, Chief Asia FX Strategist Stephen Chiu and Senior Credit Strategist Timothy Tan as they unpack AI-driven growth, shifting currency dynamics, structural liquidity risks, and the potential repatriation of trillions in global capital back to Asia.
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Regulators around the world, from the US to Singapore and Australia, are trying to revive initial public offerings. The London Stock Exchange raised less than $2 billion since the beginning of 2024, its worst drought since 1998, while the number of publicly listed companies in the US has halved from 8,000 in 1996. Regulatory burdens, litigation risks and abundant private capital have pushed companies to remain private.
Paul Atkins, chairman of the US Securities and Exchange Commission, has vowed to "make IPOs great again". But what can regulators do to entice companies to list? And why is Hong Kong bucking this trend – the city is on track to raise more than $40 billion this year and has a pipeline of more than 300 mainland Chinese firms seeking listing. Larry Tabb, Bloomberg Intelligence head of market structure research, and Sharnie Wong, BI senior analyst – diversified financials, joins John Lee on the Asia Centric podcast.
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Inflation has returned to Japan after decades of near-zero price growth, with consumer prices rising close to 3% – the fastest since the 1980s. The cost-of-living squeeze, driven by food prices, helped topple the previous administration and propel Sanae Takaichi to power as Japan's first female prime minister. Her pro-growth, big government stance promises fiscal stimulus, but risks complicating the Bank of Japan's efforts to contain sticky inflation.
Taro Kimura, Japan senior economist at Bloomberg Economics and Bank of Japan veteran, joins John on the Asia Centric podcast. He explains why inflation may be higher for longer and what Takaichi's policies mean for BOJ independence. He also covers the prime minister's remarks on Taiwan that sparked tension with Beijing, adding a geopolitical layer to Japan's economic challenges.
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South Korea's Kospi Index has surged about 70% this year, driven by AI-linked tech stocks such as Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. Retail investors, who poured more than $100 billion into US equities since the pandemic, are now turning their attention homeward. President Lee Jae Myung's pro-market and corporate governance reforms, including dividend tax cuts from 49% to a proposed 25%, are reshaping investor sentiment and capital flows.
Peter Kim, managing director and investment strategist at KB Securities, joins John on the Asia Centric podcast. Kim discusses the sustainability of South Korea's rally, Seoul's overheated property market and the geopolitical balancing act between China and the US.
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China's AI rollout diverges sharply from the US, favoring open-source models and broad adoption over high-cost infrastructure. China's top tech firms including Tencent, Baidu and Alibaba will invest less than 10% of the $370 billion that US hyperscalers plan to spend on AI capex this year. This cost-conscious approach aligns with Beijing's AI Plus strategy, aiming to embed AI across all sectors by 2027 to boost productivity.
Who will win the AI race? And are we in a bubble in AI infrastructure spending? Robert Lea, senior tech analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence, joins John to discuss why China's broader economy, rather than its tech companies, may be the main beneficiary of the nation's AI rollout.
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Some of the world’s largest companies by revenue – such as Vitol, Trafigura, and Cargill – operate outside the public eye, trading oil, metals and grains at scale. These private firms have quietly become central to global supply chains, recording substantial profits since 2022 as wars and sanctions re-routed flows.
Giovanni Serio, former global head of research at Vitol, joins John and Katia to unpack how commodity traders operate, why scale and flexibility matter, and how satellite data and real-time analytics have transformed market transparency. Serio also discusses oil price dynamics, the rise of non-OPEC supply, and why most trading firms remain private despite their size.
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The world's demographic shift is often framed as a looming crisis, but new data suggests a more nuanced outlook. Hong Kong leads the longevity frontier with an average life expectancy of 86 years, having steadily increased by 0.25 years annually for over 150 years. Meanwhile, a landmark IMF study finds that today's 70-year-olds have the same cognitive ability as 53-year-olds in 2000, underscoring how healthier aging is reshaping workforce dynamics.
Kevin Daly, managing director and senior economist at Goldman Sachs, joins John and Katia to discuss why aging may not be economically detrimental, how healthier lives extend workforce participation, and why the “silver economy” narrative oversimplifies consumption trends.
Read Goldman Sachs’ related research: The Path to 2075 — The Positive Story of Global Aging (https://www.gspublishing.com/content/research/en/reports/2025/05/20/2d3fe290-10b1-44be-8d0e-77b8d303928f.html)
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In this live episode, recorded at Bloomberg's Investment Management Summit in Singapore, we sit down with Matthew Michelini, head of Asia-Pacific business for Apollo Global Management. We explore his optimism about Japan, driven by its corporate governance reform and the vast $7.5 trillion in consumer deposits. We also discuss how private capital is shaping asset allocation and the challenges posed by intense competition in the private-equity industry.
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Singapore’s government is investing heavily to become a global hub for finance, commodities and transportation. The spending includes $3 billion for Changi airport’s terminals and infrastructure and equity market reform to attract more capital. Singapore’s household assets could nearly double to $4 trillion by 2030 and the MSCI stock index is set to double in the next five years, according to Morgan Stanley.
Nick Lord, research director for the Asean research department at Morgan Stanley and who authored a report this year on the subject, says the equity market reforms are key to unlocking growth. He discusses the latest developments in the city state with John and Katia.
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The competition is intensifying among global hedge funds giants to attract top traders and analysts. There's particularly high demand for talent at "pod shops", which allow portfolio managers to run their own strategies and manage allocated capital.
High-profile managers with strong track records can command pay packages in the tens of millions of dollars.
"The type of manager we're trying to hire, they are hiring us. It's not [us] hiring them", says Jay Luo, President of Dymon Asia Capital, a regionally focused alternative manager with about $5 billion in assets. He likens managing a pod shop to running a high-performance sports team and shares his insights on competing against global hedge funds like Millennium and Point72 -- with hiring the right person sometimes years in the making. He joins John and Katia on the Asia Centric podcast.
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Hong Kong's financial sector is roaring back, with IPOs surging and the city's exchange leading the world in public fundraising. The Hang Seng Index is up more than 30% this year, driven by biotech and tech stocks, while new stablecoin regulations are positioning Hong Kong as a digital-assets hub. Billions in untapped funds from mainland China are flowing in, fueling a wave of new family offices and a generational shift in wealth management.
Vivien Khoo, CEO of the Private Wealth Management Association in Hong Kong and a member of the government's Web3 task force, joins John Lee to discuss the drivers behind the city’s comeback. She shares insights into Hong Kong’s evolving role as a global connector, the rise of next-gen investors and the impact of digital-asset regulation.
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A seismic shift is underway in global finance, led by a new breed of trading firms. Electronic market makers such as Jane Street and Citadel Securities are outpacing traditional Wall Street banks with cutting-edge technology, aggressive hiring strategies and lower regulatory burdens. In 2Q alone, Jane Street generated more than $10 billion in net trading revenue, eclipsing all of Wall Street's banks including JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs.
Should Wall Street be worried? And can these companies continue to expand into Asia? Earlier this year, Jane Street was banned from trading in the Indian securities market for alleged market manipulation, which the firm denies. Larry Tabb, head of market structure research at Bloomberg Intelligence, joins John and Katia on the Asia Centric podcast.
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For all the doomsaying about US President Donald Trump's trade and economic policies, the world's biggest economy has held up relatively well, at least on the surface. Markets are up, trade demand remains firm and the Federal Reserve is moving toward interest rate cuts, which could spur more activity.
But Steven Okun, founder and CEO of APAC Advisors, warns that the worst is yet to come. Global exports that surged in the run-up to August’s reciprocal levies are cooling, the US labor market is slowing, and markets will react once the data confirms economists’ warnings, he says. Though the slew of global levies provides some clarity, questions remain over Trump's motivations on trade policy and his tendency to upend matters with one social media post. Okun speaks with John and Katia from Singapore.
Join us for Bloomberg's Investment Management Summit in Singapore on Oct. 7, featuring leading investors, asset managers and experts, to unlock insights and strategies for geopolitical volatility, technology innovation and sustainable growth. Also catch John and Katia for a live episode recording with Matthew Michelini, head of Asia-Pacific at Apollo Global Management. See you there!
Register here for this exclusive event: https://events.bloombergevents.com/0BAkqm
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The Genius Act in the US and a new regulatory framework in Hong Kong have helped legitimize stablecoins, potentially setting the stage for increased usage. The two largest issuers of dollar-backed stablecoins, Tether and Circle, hold more than $270 billion in US treasuries. At least one person – US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent – sees that rising to $2 trillion.
This should reinforce the dollar's role as the world's reserve currency while disrupting the global banking and SWIFT payments system, says Yat Siu, co-founder of Animoca Brands, which has $1.8 billion in digital assets. He breaks down what's next for stablecoins and digital assets – and reveals why his company tokenized a 1708 Stradivarius violin. Siu joins John and Katia on the Asia Centric podcast.
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China's consumers are a powerful force – the world's second-biggest spenders after the US. Officials want to harness this to transform the nation into a "mega-sized consumer powerhouse," and there are some initial signs of success with increased spending on home appliances, toys and jewelry.
But how sustainable is this uptick in conspicuous consumption, and how much should investors worry about the Chinese consumer being fundamentally changed by the pandemic and real estate crash? Despite policymakers efforts to create a consumer-based economy, it still only accounts for about 39% of GDP, significantly below the OECD average of 54%.
This week we take a deep dive into the Chinese consumer with Catherine Lim, senior analyst for consumer and technology at Bloomberg Intelligence, and Anson Bailey, head of Asia Pacific consumer and retail at KPMG. They speak with John and Katia.
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US tariffs are seen as broadly inflationary at home and disinflationary abroad, so countries across Asia – where central banks have already begun a cycle of easing – face increased pressure on economic growth and prices.
The levies loom at a time when China is mired in deflation, and Japan is trying to reinflate prices that are also weak in other Asian economies. Should investors be worried about disinflation across the region? How will that influence central bank decisions? And does it complicate the path forward for Japan's policymakers?
Gareth Leather, senior Asia economist at Capital Economics, joins John and Katia to discuss China's overcapacity, the government's failure to address the issue, how it could export deflation to the region, and Japan's success at engineering price growth.
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Advanced semiconductors, the tiny components crucial for everything from smartphones to national defense, are at the heart of US-China geopolitical rivalry. It's no wonder, then, that the US has increasingly restricted China's access to these chips, while Beijing fights back with its own trade barriers.
So where are we in the great chip war? Why are they so important and difficult to make? And what are the prospects for new alliances as chip-hungry countries navigate the new AI world? Chris Miller, author of Chip War and professor of international history at Tufts University, sits down with John and Katia for a crash course on this technology and what lies ahead.
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China has a near monopoly on rare earths due to decades of government foresight. The country controls 70% of mining and nearly all processing of the vital minerals used in cars, data centers and defense equipment. It's one of the biggest cards China can play in trade talks with the US.
When China restricted its flow of rare earths to the US earlier this year, companies shuddered. Ford had to stop production at some plants. How did China come to dominate this industry? Can companies in the US, Japan, South Korea and elsewhere replicate China's success? And what are the roadblocks?
Curtis Moore, senior vice president at uranium-miner Energy Fuels, joins John and Katia to break down the global rare earth industry.
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US President Donald Trump's trade war on the world and the Federal Reserve has increased investment risk. But it's only the latest overhang for the US, with ongoing concerns about high fiscal debt exacerbated by the passage of Trump's $3.4 trillion tax and spending package.
That's prompted Idanna Appio, portfolio manager and economist at First Eagle -- a $161 billion investment manager -- to look increasingly outside the US for value. In her view, investors are too complacent about these risks, as they have yet to see the full effect of tariff and other policies on growth and inflation.
She joins John and Katia to talk about where she sees value in Asia, the many risks ahead and how she allocates money as a long-term investor.
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Investors are once again questioning the sustainability of Hong Kong's foreign exchange regime. Critics argue the Hong Kong currency's peg to the dollar, dating to 1983, no longer makes sense as the city's links with China strengthen. Authorities have already intervened at least five times this year to defend the Hong Kong dollar, spending over $11 billion.
Does a peg linking the Hong Kong dollar to the Chinese yuan, or a basket of currencies, make more sense? Could hedge funds attack the currency? Investors like George Soros and Bill Ackman have tried, and failed, to break Hong Kong's dollar peg. How many more times will the government need to intervene? Carlos Casanova, senior economist for Asia at Union Bancaire Privée, breaks down Hong Kong's currency regime and what's ahead. He joins John Lee and Katia Dmitrieva on the Asia Centric podcast.
Related news: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-07-15/hong-kong-defends-fx-peg-for-a-fifth-time-as-pressure-extends
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The decline in US shipbuilding and China's global dominance has Washington worried. Last year, the US built just seven commercial vessels, compared to more than 1,000 for China. This has also become a national security issue, with US shipyards struggling to meet the demands of the navy, facing production delays of up to 36 months. In response, President Donald Trump has proposed levying fees on Chinese built ships entering US ports.
These measures likely won't be enough to revive the industry, so what else can the government do? What role can defense allies South Korea and Japan play? And how will these levies impact shipping companies and global trade? Adam Farrar, senior geo-economics analyst at Bloomberg Economics and Kenneth Loh, shipping and logistics analyst for Bloomberg Intelligence, join John Lee and Katia Dmitrieva on the Asia Centric podcast.
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Credit spreads, or the difference between yields on corporate debt and government notes, have tightened worldwide. This would usually indicate investors are more confident in the prospects for the private sector but contradicts what's an increasingly risky economic and investment outlook amid erratic US trade policies.
Meanwhile, liquidity remains a constraint and defaults – while low – are on the rise in the US. How does that change the game for a hedge fund that sometimes needs to take on-the-day bets? What surprising regions or industries hold gain for credit investors, and why is Mongolia one of them? And how much longer can the current “goldilocks” period for credit last? Monica Hsiao, co-founder and Chief Investment Officer of Triada Capital in Hong Kong, discusses investing in today's world of risk and the lessons learned from China's high-yield debacle. She joins John Lee and Katia Dmitrieva on the Asia Centric podcast.
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Once the preserve of science fiction, humanoid robotics is now in the realm of reality. From Elon Musk's Optimus to Boston Dynamics, companies are pouring money and time into developing these robots for business and commercial use.
We take an in-depth look into this emerging industry with Sean Darby, equity strategist at Mizuho Securities, who compares it to the rise of EVs – what started small quickly gathered steam among consumers. It's shaping up to be a compelling trade for investors, with a basket of humanoid-related stocks in Asia up almost 60% this year, according to Bloomberg Intelligence.
Darby joins John Lee and Katia Dmitrieva in Hong Kong to discuss what exactly is a humanoid robot, what can it actually do given the current technology, and what challenges lie ahead? And will they simply help us with household chores – or take all our jobs?
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Stock markets have been surprisingly resilient this year. Despite global trade chaos, war in the Middle East, Russia's extended invasion of Ukraine and domestic political strife, major equity markets around the world have rallied near record levels.
Investors are finding a lot to like from India to South Korea, where domestic growth stories, technology and AI investment, and diversified supply chains leave plenty of room for growth, says Jessica Tea, JPMorgan emerging markets and APAC equities investment specialist. She joins John Lee and Katia Dmitrieva from Singapore to discuss consumption strength across Asia — highlighted by the popularity of Labubu dolls — investing in the backend of EVs and finding returns amid uncertainty.
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The huge political and economic shifts taking place amid US President Donald Trump's global trade war, turmoil in the Middle East and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict is putting geopolitical risk front and center of investment decisions. JPMorgan, for instance, has just launched a Center for Geopolitics, as companies become more reluctant to simply rely on business models and financial experience.
Marko Papic, chief strategist at BCA Research, an independent research group founded in 1949, joins John Lee and Katia Dmitrieva to give his take on the consequences of such significant global changes and how investors can best navigate these turbulent and uncertain times.
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South Korea's June presidential election ended six months of political uncertainty and policy paralysis in the country. Investors are optimistic that President Lee Jae-myung, with the support of the legislative assembly, can boost the economy with fiscal stimulus and corporate governance reform. The Kospi Index has surged more than 20% this year, surprising many global investors who have until now been hesitant to allocate capital in the country.
President Lee faces many challenges, however, including the threat of US tariffs, increasing competition from Chinese exports and a sluggish economy. And what does a return to democratic party policies mean for the chaebols, the scions of Korean industry? Peter Kim, investment strategist and managing director for KB Securities, discusses the outlook for Asia's fourth-largest economy with John Lee and Katia Dmitrieva on the Asia Centric podcast.
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The economic impact of US President Donald Trump’s tariffs has led to a rethink over the US dollar. After the “Liberation Day” tariffs were announced on April 2, global investors sold both US equities and the dollar, a rare event that raises concerns about the credibility of US Treasuries and the dollar itself. Moody’s downgrade of the US credit rating and the sharp appreciation of certain currencies, particularly the Taiwan dollar, against the greenback have further intensified the situation.
Are we entering a period of de-dollarization? What are the implications for the regions' central banks, corporations and financial institutions – many of which are major holders of US Treasuries? And which Asian currencies could outperform following this paradigm shift? Stephen Chiu, chief Asia FX and rates strategist for Bloomberg Intelligence discusses these issues with John Lee on the Asia Centric podcast.
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A big shift in regional trade is underway following US President Donald Trump's announcement – and temporary pause – of the so called "Liberation Day" tariffs. Exports from Southeast Asia are surging, as companies around the world frontload and reroute shipments of parts and final goods such as toys and smartphones.
Which countries are benefiting the most from this demand and the intensifying strategy of "China+1", how long will these high export levels be maintained, and what are the risks for consumers and companies? Katia Dmitrieva speaks with Robert Subbaraman, head of global macro research at Nomura, about the latest on the trade front.
Read our story here: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-05-21/china-us-trade-soars-as-exporters-race-to-hit-trade-truce-window?utm_source=website&utm_medium=share&utm_campaign=copy
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Investing in alternative assets such as infrastructure and private equity was once the preserve of large institutions and the uber rich with access to private bankers. But technological advances and product innovation have opened these markets to wealthy retail investors, creating one of the fastest-growing segments in wealth management. Many experts, including BlackRock CEO Larry Fink, refer to this trend as the "democratization" of investing.
So what opportunities are out there in the private market for wealthy investors? And what are some of the risks, especially overinvestment? Steffanie Yuen, Head of Hong Kong for Endowus, breaks down the sector as she joins John Lee and Katia Dmitrieva on the Asia Centric podcast.
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In early 2021, smartphone and electronics maker Xiaomi was blacklisted by Washington, restricting its access to US technology and investors. Although this decision was later reversed, it motivated CEO and founder Lei Jun to enter China's ultra-competitive electric vehicle market, pledging to invest $10 billion over a decade. The bold move has paid off: in China, buyers are waiting up to 10 months to purchase Xiaomi's SU7, and the company's shares have surged more than 150% in the past year.
How did a manufacturer of cheap smartphones and budget appliances create one of the most desirable vehicles in China in just three years? And can Xiaomi continue to deliver on high investor expectations and stand out from its competitors with the launch of its new YU7 model this summer? Bloomberg Intelligence analysts Joanna Chen and Steven Tseng join John Lee on the Asia Centric podcast.
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Southeast Asian countries such as Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia benefited from US President Donald Trump's first administration, as Chinese companies re-routed shipments to these regions to avoid US tariffs. In his current term, President Trump's reciprocal tariffs aim to eliminate this arbitrage, but the significant tariff rate differentials between countries are creating an even greater incentive for Chinese companies to use transshipments.
US efforts to enforce tariffs have become a game of whack-a-mole, according to Ebehi Iyoha, a trade economist and an assistant professor at Harvard Business School. Iyoha also highlights how small US businesses are disproportionately affected by tariffs compared with large corporations. She joins John Lee and Katia Dmitrieva on the Asia Centric podcast.
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Hong Kong is starting to look up. The Hang Seng Index has rebounded from last year’s lows and tourists are flocking to major musical and sporting events in the city's new stadium. Even expats – many of whom left for Singapore, London and elsewhere during the pandemic – appear to be returning.
But structural challenges remain. The commercial property market is beset by record-high vacancy rates while retailers are reeling as residents find significant cost savings over the border in cities such as Shenzhen. And now we have the onset of US tariffs. What will it take for Hong Kong to recapture its reputation as Asia's vibrant, international city?
Benjamin Quinlan, CEO of Quinlan & Associates and conference ambassador at the Hong Kong Tourism Board, says the city needs to double down on mega events. He joins John Lee and Katia Dmitrieva on the Asia Centric podcast.
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The world's top economic and financial authorities descend on Washington this week for the IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings. The focus this year is overwhelmingly on trade, as US President Donald Trump's reciprocal tariffs hang over the event. And nowhere are levies more painful than in China, where the highest rates threaten economic growth.
Arthur Kroeber, founding partner of research consultancy Gavekal Dragonomics and author of China's Economy: What Everyone Needs to Know, joins Katia Dmitrieva in Washington for a discussion about the new trade era, China's economic travails and how the trade stalemate with the US could end.
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It's been a wild few weeks in trade and markets. After unleashing reciprocal tariffs on the world, US President Donald Trump then walked them back, pausing the additional levies for every nation except China. Some exemptions were also carved out, including for iPhones. Negotiations have since ramped up with countries including Vietnam, which hope to scale down or remove the threat of tariffs altogether.
Asia is perhaps the hardest hit region, given the scope of tariffs on China and how dependent the region is on trade. Economic growth, company profits and labor markets will take a hit – even without the tariffs in place, uncertainty alone is curbing investment. But there is a longer-term silver lining: the protectionist policies have pushed officials to consider a world in which they rely less on the US and more on domestic growth drivers.
HSBC chief Asia economist Frederic Neumann sits down with Katia Dmitrieva to discuss tariffs, the countries that may be hit hardest and what this new world of trade looks like.
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Global supply chains have reconfigured since the 2018-19 trade war, leading to a surge in renewable-energy demand in countries such as Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia as Nike and Samsung set up operations. This trend, coupled with population growth and the proliferation of AI-driven data centers, is projected to triple the demand for power in the next five years, according to Gavin Adda, CEO of Peak Energy.
The subsidiary of Stonepeak, an infrastructure investment firm which manages more than $70 billion in assets, expects a big chunk of this energy demand will be met with renewable sources. Adda also sees Asian countries deregulating energy markets, opening up avenues for investments in solar and wind. He joins John Lee and Katia Dmitrieva on the Asia Centric podcast.
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A duct-taped banana, a glass-encased tiger shark, a three-meter balloon dog – all selling for millions of dollars. For centuries, people have invested in art and their creators, with modern investors adding these “alternative assets” to portfolios.
But global art auction turnover fell by about a third to $9.9 billion last year, according to Artmarket. It's also an increasingly tricky industry to navigate, with many sales private and some high risk, and scams not uncommon. So what are the wealthy buying these days, how safe are these investments, and what should they expect in terms of return?
John Lee and Katia Dmitrieva sit down with Betsy Bickar, senior art adviser at Citi Wealth’s art advisory unit. The episode was recorded on March 25, prior to Art Basel Hong Kong, part of the city’s Art Week.
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After underperforming for years, Chinese stocks are on a tear, rising more than 16% so far this year and outpacing many regional and global markets. The advance is led by growing optimism that technological breakthroughs like DeepSeek and a sustained pivot to consumption by Chinese officials will help boost demand.
But there are questions about the sustainability of the rally. Have fundamentals for China really improved? And are investors ready to ditch US exceptionalism and Europe’s revival to invest in China equities? If the 2015 market rally and pullback is any guide, investors should brace for a near-term correction, even though equities have entered a bull market in the next 3-5 years, according to Winnie Wu, chief China strategist and co-head of China equity research at Bank of America. She joins John Lee and Katia Dmitrieva on the Asia Centric podcast.
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Looming US auto tariffs are forcing tough decisions for the world’s biggest automakers, with firms already reeling from high borrowing costs and slower sales. Tesla’s been rocked by a political backlash and plunging sales, while Chinese EV manufacturers gain global market share and make big strides in autonomous driving.
The levies – which could raise costs for companies and customers – present an existential threat to the industry, according to Steve Man, global autos and industrials research manager at Bloomberg Intelligence. He joins John Lee and Katia Dmitrieva to discuss the game-changing impact.
Read Bloomberg News on how auto tariffs could shake up the industry (https://blinks.bloomberg.com/news/stories/ST2QSBT0G1KW) and Steve's full research (https://blinks.bloomberg.com/news/stories/SSJQKHDWRGG0) on the Bloomberg Terminal.
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Investors are pricing in several interest rate cuts from the Federal Reserve this year as growth slows and risks of a recession rise, but Gao Bin says they may be getting ahead of themselves. The CEO of Kaifeng Investment Management says the cuts will likely come -- but not until 2026. He's also taking a counter-narrative view on China, believing that consumer and tech companies will drive growth in 2025.
Gao's macro hedge fund netted returns of more than 70% last year on these calls. He also discusses the outlook for China's economy this year, his favorite and least favorite equities and why running his fund out of Hong Kong rather than New York or London provides an edge as Asia's influence on financial markets grows.
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The world’s multi-billionaires, from Elon Musk to Sergey Brin, are increasingly using family offices to manage their wealth – and it’s big business. With more than 8,000 family offices globally managing an estimated $3.1 trillion in assets, it’s set to rival the hedge fund industry in size.
Major financial hubs -- from London to Dubai, Hong Kong to Singapore -- are actively competing to capture a slice of this booming market, offering enticing incentives to attract family offices. Dubai-based Ali-Abbas Merali, a partner at Azura Partners, discusses how and where the super-rich are investing their billions. He joins John Lee and Katia Dmitrieva on the Asia Centric podcast.
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The US economy appears indestructible. Since the Great Financial Crisis in 2008-09 and throughout the following downturns including the pandemic, consumption quickly bounced back, the labor market tightened and equity markets outperformed peers. This strength had investors coining the term “US exceptionalism” as it increasingly seemed that the greenback and other assets were the best game in town.
But risks are building, from China’s DeepSeek cooling demand for AI stocks in the US to President Donald Trump’s tariffs that threaten inflation, spending and growth. Could these risks unseat the US exceptionalism trade? Is that era potentially behind us? Steve Brice, Global Chief Investment Officer of Standard Chartered Bank, doesn’t think so, and explains why he believes the trade is here to stay – at least for now. He joins John Lee and Katia Dmitrieva on the Asia Centric podcast.
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The aviation industry has suffered numerous setbacks recently, from tragic accidents to production delays and quality issues at manufacturer Boeing. There are also looming challenges including slower economic growth globally that may curb spending and demand. But one corner of the industry has been thriving since the pandemic – aircraft leasing.
Tim Bacchus, a veteran analyst with more than 30 years of experience in the aviation space, believes that profits in the aircraft leasing industry – the companies that purchase and rent these planes – could jump by more than 70% over the next three years. He joins John Lee and Katia Dmitrieva on the Asia Centric podcast.
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China, the world's second-largest economy, is facing a demographics crisis. Its population fell in 2024 for the third straight year and is projected to halve by the end of the century, while marriages – tightly linked to childbirth in the country – plunged to a record low. The trend of declining birthrates and an aging population, which threatens the labor market and growth, comes even after the government lifted its one-child policy and added a raft of measures to support families.
Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Ada Li spent more than a year gathering data from local governments and uncovering the cultural and social reasons behind the trends – with some startling conclusions. She speaks with John Lee and Katia Dmitrieva about why the government is unable to reverse the decline, how the cost of childcare is just one part of the problem, and why – surprisingly – it may not be so bad for consumer companies.
Read Ada’s full research (https://blinks.bloomberg.com/news/stories/SN47X8T0AFB7) and related news stories about Asia's baby shortage (https://blinks.bloomberg.com/news/stories/SM8W0PDWLU68) on the Bloomberg Terminal.
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After many months of threats, the US has imposed 10% tariffs on all Chinese goods coming into the country and China retaliated immediately, launching an investigation into Google and putting its own levies on a range of American goods including LNG. Thus begins a new era of protectionism.
The tariffs and any additional moves are set to slow economic growth in China, which is already struggling to boost consumer spending, reboot its property sector and lure more foreign investment. This is likely just the beginning, with higher levies to come in a repeat of the 2018-19 trade war. Despite the headwinds, Chinese President Xi Jinping still has a lot of tools at his disposal.
Helen Qiao, chief economist for Greater China at Bank of America, joins John Lee and Katia Dmitrieva to gauge the impact in the world's second largest economy and what could lay ahead.
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Investing in Asia after its financial crisis of 1997, or in the US following the dot-com bubble or the GFC, would have delivered good performance over the following decade, says Daniel Rupp, CIO and founder of Parkway Capital. Daniel joins John Lee on the Asia Centric podcast to discuss why he launched an Asia-focused long-only fund at the beginning of 2024 – at the height of investor pessimism toward China. He also sees vast stock picking opportunities across the region and discusses why active rather than passive management might make more sense in Asia than the US.
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Donald Trump is set to disrupt trade across Asia in a repeat of his previous administration, but things are different this time around. He’s expanding his focus beyond China, targeting countries he says pose national security threats or have large trade deficits with the US. Many countries across Asia that benefited from the last trade war may find themselves in the crosshairs. In other words, it's set to be a lot more complicated this time.
Sonal Varma, chief economist Asia ex-Japan at Nomura Singapore, joins Katia Dmitrieva and John Lee to unpack what the next four years may look like for Asia.
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Financial markets have been captivated by AI's opportunities since the launch of ChatGPT two years ago. Huge investments have flowed into established chip companies and the hyperscalers that make the infrastructure supporting AI – from Nvidia and TSMC to Alphabet, Microsoft and Amazon. But what about the frontier companies that could flourish as AI enters a new era? And why is Asia an ideal petri dish for this activity?
Esther Wong, founder of 3C AGI Partners, one of Asia's first AI-focused venture capital funds, and formerly a managing director at SenseTime, discusses the next phase of this technology and shares her outlook on the industry – data centers in space may not be as far-fetched as you think. She joins John Lee and Katia Dmitrieva on the Asia Centric podcast.
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South Korea's short-lived martial law and impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol has shocked the world and crushed confidence in Asia's fourth-largest economy. Even before these events, the country was suffering from sluggish economic growth combined with the worst-performing stock market and currency in the region throughout 2024. What's next for South Korea's political process and what will it take to revive its financial markets?
Hyosung Kwon, an economist at Bloomberg Economics in Seoul, joins John Lee and Katia Dmitrieva to discuss the political and economic risks that lie ahead for South Korea.
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It's that time of year when we look to what the next 12 months have in store. Currencies are set to weaken against a strong dollar, so which ones may provide a degree of safety? Equities outperformed in 2024 but tariffs hang over trade-sensitive countries and the tech and AI sectors may have peaked. Where can investors find the most value? And geopolitical risk and a new US-China trade war have yet to be fully priced into the market, so what does that mean for credit?
Asia Centric convenes a panel of Bloomberg Intelligence analysts to preview 2025. Joining hosts John Lee and Katia Dmitrieva this week are Stephen Chiu, chief Asia FX and rates strategist, Marvin Chen, senior equity strategist, and senior credit strategist Timothy Tan.
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Hong Kong nightlife isn't what it used to be, with fewer revelers spending less than in the pre-pandemic boom – indicative, perhaps, of wider political and demographic changes taking place in the city. Yet entertainment and property mogul Allan Zeman – known as the “father of Lan Kwai Fong” after the bar area he established in the 1980s – remains upbeat and optimistic. Despite business being slower and rents lower, he welcomes the influx of mainland visitors as new tenants adapt to the changes. For Zeman, Hong Kong is far from over.
He joins hosts John Lee and Katia Dmitrieva on the Asia Centric podcast to discuss Hong Kong’s changing landscape. Patrick Wong, senior property analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence, also outlines the challenges facing office landlords and luxury retailers – and reveals who stands to gain.
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US President-elect Donald Trump is already providing a preview of what's to come for US-China relations when he enters the White House, appointing several China hawks to his team and vowing to impose additional tariffs. Stephen Roach, economist and former chairman of Morgan Stanley Asia, believes the world should take Trump at his word over tariff threats and that it signals his second term could be more contentious than the first.
Roach also defends his controversial comments earlier this year that "Hong Kong is over" as ties with the mainland strengthen and the economy remains weak. He joins John Lee and Katia Dmitrieva on the Asia Centric podcast.
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Falling interest rates could spark a return to real estate M&A deals across the Asia-Pacific region, according to Ivy Ng, APAC Chief Investment Officer at DWS Group. Ng joins John Lee and Katia Dmitrieva on the Asia Centric podcast to break down where she sees the biggest opportunities and risks, and argues the worst may be over for the sector.
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President-elect Donald Trump's sweeping election victory and cabinet appointments point to more protectionist policies and market volatility, with broad implications for Asia. China is firmly in the crosshairs, but previous US efforts to contain its advance -- particularly in technology -- have largely faltered, according to Bloomberg Economics and Bloomberg Intelligence.
Tom Orlik, chief economist at Bloomberg Economics in Washington, D.C., joins John Lee and Katia Dmitrieva to outline what the next four years may bring for the global economy and US-China relations -- and the potential risks.
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Food trends across Asia are shifting rapidly with declining populations, wealthier consumers eating more meat and climate change upending supply and prices. China is set to be overtaken by India as the world's number one driver of food demand, according to the UN, further shifting the picture.
Darin Friedrichs, co-founder of Sitonia Consulting, speaks with Bloomberg Intelligence's John Lee and Bloomberg News' Asia economics correspondent Katia Dmitrieva about how best to navigate the changes to come.
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China could deploy more stimulus -- and officials have more policy space and tools to do so than many other major economies, according to Weijian Shan, Executive Chairman of PAG, an Asia-based investment firm with more than $55 billion in assets under management. Despite being bullish on China's growth prospects, Shan says the nation still needs to find a way to pivot toward the consumer.
Shan, who grew up in China during the Cultural Revolution and later counted Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen as his PhD adviser in the US, shares his thoughts on the world's second-largest economy and investment opportunities in Japan. He also discusses some of his biggest deals, including the $8 billion investment into one of the world's largest shopping mall managers. He joins John Lee and Katia Dmitrieva on the Asia Centric podcast.
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Reports of active management's demise have been greatly exaggerated. Active continues to grow and evolve in ETFs while mutual funds prosper and define benefit plans. Bloomberg Intelligence strategy team uncover active opportunities and glean insights from active managers and those who cover the industry. Listen to Inside Active by Bloomberg Intelligence.
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Artificial intelligence is fueling demand for data centers across Asia, with capacity set to double in the next four years, according to Moody’s. Projesh Banerjea, KKR director and Southeast Asia infrastructure lead, joins John Lee and Katia Dmitrieva on the Asia Centric podcast to discuss how investors can best tap into that growth – and how it can get complicated.
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Taiwan's president Lai Ching-te gave his first National Day address last week, vowing he'd stand up to mainland China while maintaining the status quo of peace and stability. The speech elicited a swift response from Beijing, reminding investors of the ongoing geopolitical risks in the region.
David Sacks, Asia Studies Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, speaks with John Lee from Bloomberg Intelligence and Katia Dmitrieva from Bloomberg News about key takeaways from the speech and what it means for Taiwan's red hot equity market.
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People love their pets, so much in fact that the industry is set for serious growth as owners purchase higher-end goods and services. Not only are they upgrading the food they buy but are also embracing services such as healthcare and even elderly care for their beloved cats and dogs. Ada Li and Diana Rosero-Pena from Bloomberg Intelligence speak with Bloomberg News' Katia Dmitrieva to discuss where the industry is heading.
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The world's population is likely to peak in the next 60 years and nowhere is this trend felt more than Asia, with countries such as South Korea and Japan registering some of the lowest birth rates and oldest populations.
Wei Li, Global Chief Investment Strategist at BlackRock, discusses the role demographics plays in investing and why it may be the most important megatrend. She joins John Lee of Bloomberg Intelligence and Katia Dmitrieva of Bloomberg News on the Asia Centric podcast.
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Central banks got the green light to begin easing policy last week after the US Federal Reserve cut interest rates by more than expected. Officials across Asia have perhaps been the most eager to move lower, but in this new era, each country faces a different path forward for monetary policy.
John Lee from Bloomberg Intelligence and Katia Dmitrieva from Bloomberg News speak with Alicia Garcia-Herrero, Chief Economist for Asia Pacific at Natixis SA, about what the Fed cut means for the region.
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Investing, stocks, commodities, crypto and everything in between. This biweekly podcast with a focus on exchange-traded funds will guide you through the financial markets in Asia and beyond. Sponsored by HKEX.
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AI has been hailed as a transformative technology with McKinsey estimating it could add $26 trillion to the global economy. While many investors have already jumped on the AI bandwagon, not everyone agrees.
Daron Acemoglu, Institute Professor at MIT and author of books including Why Nations Fail, takes a critical look at AI and explains why the economic and social benefits may have been overstated. He joins John Lee of Bloomberg Intelligence and Katia Dmitrieva of Bloomberg News on the Asia Centric podcast.
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Shareholder activism is gaining traction in Japan, with the number of new campaigns surging by 70% in the first half of 2024. At the same time, homegrown activist funds are becoming more prominent in Japan’s corporate circles.
Shuhei Furukawa, managing director and portfolio manager at Misaki Capital, and James Han, managing partner at Prodigies Group, join John Lee of Bloomberg Intelligence to discuss this growing trend and how it differs to what’s happening in the US.
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India's economy is the darling of emerging markets, with a burgeoning middle class, a rising population and rapid growth set to outperform all large peers this year. But recent data suggest cracks are forming, with less government spending and a slowdown in factory output.
Miguel Chanco, chief emerging Asia economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics and a long-time critic of India's growth story, joins hosts John Lee of Bloomberg Intelligence and Katia Dmitrieva of Bloomberg News to explain why he believes investors are underestimating the slowdown to come.
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Hong Kong's wealth management is booming as rich mainland Chinese investors pour in funds. The city’s offshore wealth-under-management industry now amounts to more than $2.2 trillion, the second largest in the world, and is approaching Switzerland's level. What's driving these rich Chinese to invest overseas, and how will China's economic slump impact future flows?
Lemuel Lee, Head of Wealth Management Hong Kong at BNP Paribas, and Sharnie Wong, Senior Financials Analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence, discuss these issues with host John Lee on the Asia Centric podcast.
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A rate hike from the Bank of Japan combined with weak US economic data coalesced to cause the biggest one-day sell off in stocks since 1987. What does this mean for monetary policy in Japan and the US? And how could investors position themselves for the uncertainty ahead?
Gareth Nicholson, Chief Investment Officer and Head of Managed Investments at Nomura International Wealth Management, joins co-hosts John Lee and Katia Dmitrieva on the Asia Centric podcast.
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Uranium prices have skyrocketed as demand surges for nuclear power globally and traders fret about a potential shortage. China is Asia’s biggest user of nuclear energy, while countries such as Australia are still debating whether to embrace it. Investors have been piling into mining companies and uranium ETFs, but is this the best way to capitalize on the demand? And what are the risks to the seemingly bright outlook?
Asia Centric hosts John Lee and Katia Dmitrieva discuss these issues with Mohsen Crofts, senior metals and mining analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence, and Leonard Quong, head of Australia research at BloombergNEF.
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We're about halfway through the year and China's economy is still struggling to regain momentum after the housing bubble burst and consumers pulled back. A major policy meeting in China that wrapped last week did little to assuage concerns, with officials focused more on the long term. The US presidential election could have big implications for trade and tariffs.
Andrew Tilton, chief economist for the APAC region at Goldman Sachs, joins host Katia Dmitrieva for a check-in on the world's second-largest economy.
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Global investors are piling into Japan, betting the economy has finally broken out of its economic stagnation. How will the return of inflation transform the country’s economy and is it sustainable? Can Japan's efforts to improve its corporate governance meet high investor expectations? And what are the key industries investors should watch out for?
Taro Kimura, Senior Japan Economist and former Bank of Japan veteran, and Takeshi Kitaura, Senior Industrials Analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence, join John Lee on the Asia Centric podcast.
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China is building closer economic ties with the Gulf countries, with Saudi Arabian companies announcing deals to acquire stakes in Chinese firms including Lenovo and Hengli Petrochemical, while China is promising to build factories in the region. So how will this create investment opportunities? Can China help transform Saudi Arabia’s economy through its ambitious 2030 vision? And how will US-China tension impact the relationship? Ziad Daoud, Chief Emerging Markets Economist at Bloomberg Economics, and Edmond Christou, Senior Financials Analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence, join host John Lee on the Asia Centric podcast.
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Hong Kong's economy is under attack from all sides -- from a $270 billion residential and office property price slump in the past five years to a retail sector reeling under pressure from mainland China competition. What will it take for the city to regain its gusto? Gary Ng, senior economist at Natixis Corporate and Investment Banking, joins John Lee and Katia Dmitrieva on the Asia Centric podcast to share his take on where Hong Kong is heading.
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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was forecast to win his country’s election by a landslide, but was instead forced to form a coalition government and share power with allies for the first time since coming to power in 2014.
So how will the shock election result affect India’s growth trajectory? And what does it mean for its red-hot equity markets? Abhishek Gupta, India Economist at Bloomberg Economics, and Nitin Chanduka, India Strategist at Bloomberg Intelligence, join John Lee and Ishika Mookerjee on the Asia Centric podcast.
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The 2024 US election is set to be a rematch between Joe Biden and Donald Trump, setting the stage for a heated several months. So why should investors across Asia start tuning into the election run-up? And is there any hope of salvaging the US-China relationship with either candidate?
David Chao, Global Market Strategist (Asia Pacific) at Invesco, joins co-hosts John Lee and Katia Dmitrieva with his insights on what the US election could mean for Asian markets.
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Success-hungry finance professionals have been gorging on India's boom, which shimmers with stories of multi-million dollar trading jobs, and private bankers demanding jackpot pay increases as they sell their talents to the highest bidder.
Is India's moment really here? What are the challenges finance companies face in expanding into the subcontinent? Anil Sharma, Managing Partner of recruitment firm Options Group, calls in from Mumbai, joining co-hosts John Lee and Ishika Mookerjee on the latest episode of Asia Centric to discuss India's scramble for talent.
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What will it take to get global investors excited about China again? Is India still the best growth story for the next decade? And will corporate governance reform and inflation continue to power Japanese equities?
One of Asia's most experienced investment strategists, Christopher Wood, global equity strategist at Jefferies and author of the widely-read "Greed and Fear" newsletter since 1996, remains an insightful and sought-after voice in global investing. He joins co-hosts John Lee and Tom Corbett on the latest episode of Asia Centric.
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Chronic conflict in Ukraine and the Middle East, stubborn global inflation, soaring military spending, and persistent tension with China haven’t stopped stocks from marching higher.
Are stocks ignoring geopolitical risk? Is a new investment narrative emerging? How can investors profit from the remarkable global growth in defense spending?
Sean Darby, equity strategist at Mizuho Securities shares his ideas and perspectives with co-hosts John Lee and Tom Corbett on the latest episode of Asia Centric.
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China’s property crisis, its stock market swings and falling prices have dealt a body blow to Chinese consumers' confidence, and shock waves from their retrenchment are shaking up some of the world’s biggest luxury brands.
Is China's new retail frugality here to stay? Or will its once-freewheeling consumer spending roar back with a vengeance? Bloomberg Intelligence's senior consumer analysts Catherine Lim and Deborah Aitken join co-hosts John Lee and Tom Corbett with their insights on how China's new consumer austerity is reshaping expectations for global retailers.
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A chill has overcome the once-red hot electric-vehicle market. Demand is slowing, competition is growing, cash-strapped consumers are skeptical, and the EV market outlook is uncertain.
Tesla has become the poster child for the industry’s ordeals, with slowing sales, a tumbling stock price, and China’s economic woes all converging into a grim picture. But other EV makers are also struggling, and the road ahead could be rough.
What will it take to bring back the thrill to EVs? How is BYD -- China’s EV juggernaut – rewriting the rules for Tesla and other rivals? Or could Toyota's hybrid vehicles be the answer?
Steve Man, global director of industrials and automotive research at Bloomberg Intelligence weighs in on the road ahead for EVs, which he says are here to stay despite the risks and challenges.
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The world’s stock markets have made a routine of breaking records, with the Nikkei 225, the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq all spending 2024’s first quarter soaring into uncharted territory.
Exuberance is abundant, but so are the risks. Are the world’s equity markets rising too far too fast? Is it time to revisit safe-haven assets? And is the classic 60/40 asset allocation model still relevant today?
From Paris, Jean-Charles Bertrand, Global Multi-Asset Chief Investment Officer at HSBC Asset Management joins co-hosts John Lee and Tom Corbett with his insights on the investment road ahead.
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The rush to board the AI bandwagon has powered America’s Magnificent Seven stocks to a level of investor excitement not seen since the 1990s dot-com bubble. Is artificial intelligence for real? How does the Magnificent Seven rank in terms of AI monetization? Can Asia tech stocks keep pace with their American counterparts?
Mandeep Singh, Global Head of Technology Research at Bloomberg Intelligence and Robert Lea, Senior Asia Technology Analyst join co-hosts John Lee and Tom Corbett for an insightful glimpse at what the future holds for AI, and how investors might profit from its progress.
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A sea change is afoot in South Korea, where a new corporate governance code promises to overhaul the country’s business dynamics. Some believe that could help its stocks shake off the so-called “Korea Discount” as it tears a page from Japan’s playbook in a bid to mimic the Nikkei 225’s rejuvenation.
Investors have taken notice and have channelled more than $8 billion into Korean stocks during January and February 2024 as they seek to cash in.
Can South Korea’s new boldness shake up its rigid corporate culture and reinvigorate its equity markets? Are companies even ready for American style shareholder activism?
Activist investor Changhwan Lee, Founder & CEO of Align Partners, discusses his proxy fight over SM Entertainment and Korea’s changing investment landscape with co-hosts John Lee and Tom Corbett.
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China's challenges are snowballing. From its slumping stock market to its property crisis, to a generation lying flat, the outlook is daunting, and easy fixes are unlikely.
The world's second largest economy also faces structural problems, including a shrinking population, high household debt and low consumer confidence.
How will China's tough choices shape the road ahead, and what are the implications for the rest of the global economy? Hao Hong, Chief Economist at Grow Investment Group joins co-hosts John Lee and Tom Corbett on Asia Centric from Bloomberg Intelligence.
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Evergrande has become the mother of all casualties in China’s real estate crisis, crumbling under the weight of its own debt, and leaving homebuyers and investors reeling.
The latest twist in the Evergrande saga came this week when a Hong Kong judge ordered the property giant liquidated. The ruling comes more than two years after the developer first defaulted on a bond payment.
Can Evergrande’s bondholders ever be made whole? What will it take to restore confidence in China’s property market? And why might the worst not yet be over? Bloomberg Intelligence senior analysts Kristy Hung and Daniel Fan join hosts John Lee and Tom Corbett to assess the ruling's impact and what lies ahead.
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The attacks on cargo vessels plying the Red Sea have delivered the biggest blow to global trade since the Covid-19 pandemic. Drones, missiles, and gunfire from Houthi rebels are sending ships on costly and time consuming detours around Africa.
Container ships are bearing the brunt of the impact, and the ensuing delays and soaring costs threaten to upend supply chains and rekindle the fires of inflation. China might also have the most at stake.
How bad could the crisis get? How are global shipping companies benefiting? Bloomberg Intelligence’s transportation & logistics analysts Lee Klaskow and Kenneth Loh join co-hosts John Lee and Tom Corbett to reveal how they see the shipping industry.
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Taiwan’s hotly contested presidential election was cast as a stark choice between two different destinies, but for the island’s voters, relations with mainland China are just part of the picture.
Economic growth, jobs, and a path to prosperity are big issues for Taiwan’s more than 23 million people, especially its young adults, who’ve come of age facing the risk of conflict, a changing identity, and an uncertain future.
How likely is Taiwan to find itself at the center of a wider conflict? How much damage would an invasion inflict? How would the US respond? Can such a scenario be prevented? And what will the next four years look like?
Jennifer Welch, Chief Geo-Economics Analyst at Bloomberg Economics and Maeva Cousin, Senior Global Economist for Bloomberg Economics join co-hosts John Lee and Tom Corbett for a look at the precarious road ahead for Taiwan and the world.
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Asia’s investors are staring at a potential watershed year in 2024, which promises turning points, stumbling blocks, opportunities, and more than a few surprises.
Falling rates appear likely, but when, how fast and how far the U.S. central bank will cut has investors guessing, with implications for Asian currencies, bonds and equities.
Can China recapture the animal spirits that once made it the darling of western investors? Or will Japan and Southeast Asia continue to steal the spotlight? And what could go wrong?
Bloomberg Intelligence’s Senior Asia Equity Strategist Marvin Chen, Chief Asia FX and Rates Strategist Stephen Chiu, and Senior Asia Credit Strategist Timothy Tan join Asia Centric’s co-costs John Lee and Tom Corbett for a look at what 2024 might bring.
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Family offices -- they’re the secretive, go-anywhere asset managers that quietly steward fortunes for the ultra-rich. In Asia, Singapore has emerged as the new family office hot spot, wooing captains of industry, crypto whales, and Chinese billionaires with low taxes, favorable regulations, a business-friendly environment, and safety and security. The island has become home to more than 1,100 family offices, which manage more than $4 trillion in assets.
Why is Singapore such a draw for the world’s billionaires? Is the growth sustainable? And what are the risks? Venture capitalist and family office CEO Sharon Sim joins co-hosts John Lee and Tom Corbett for a look under the hood at this insular but fast-growing corner of the high net-worth world.
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India has emerged as the hot, new growth opportunity for global investors.
It's the world’s most populous country, and largest democracy. It’s home to a demographic swath of 600 million people younger than 30, and a booming economy growing by 7-8% a year.
India’s energy and opportunity have made it a magnet for foreign capital, leaving many convinced that the highest-quality growth is yet to come.
But is India's growth story the real deal? Is it at a tipping point too promising to ignore? Or is it just a diversification play for investors seeking to hedge their stakes in China?
Veteran emerging markets investor Mark Mobius, founder of Mobius Capital Partners, talks to Asia Centric’s John Lee and Tom Corbett from Chennai, and he reveals why he’s excited enough about India to make a big bet on its economic future.
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Global real estate investors have been navigating a treacherous path, with many wondering where the markets will go next. In Hong Kong, interest rates have crushed home prices, sending some mortgages under water while its once jam-packed commercial real estate market struggles to fill space.
When might the real estate winds shift? Will rates carry property values higher or lower? Where are the risks and opportunities? And is it really different this time?
Veteran Hong Kong property consultant Peter Churchouse of Portwood Capital and senior property analyst Patrick Wong share their insights with co-hosts John Lee and Tom Corbett on Asia Centric from Bloomberg Intelligence.
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So-called weight-loss drugs are generating waves of hope and hype. Names such as Wegovy, Ozempic and Mounjaro fall breathlessly from the lips of social media influencers, bringing promise and possibility to the one billion people the World Health Organization says suffer from obesity.
Investors are already buying in, sending the market caps of Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly soaring into the ranks of the world’s most valuable companies.
Are these obesity drugs a fat-fighting panacea? Could they make junk food cravings a thing of the past? What’s their sales potential in Asia? Can makers of salty snacks lean in to a potential shift in eating habits?
Bloomberg Intelligence healthcare analysts Michael Shah and Leslie Yang join hosts John Lee and Tom Corbett to discuss whether these so-called "wonder drugs" can live up to their hype.
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Chinese shopping apps are shaking up online retail, with fast-fashion leader Shein and viral sensation discounter Temu setting the pace.
Both are powering China’s exports by letting overseas consumers buy everything from clothing to digital gadgets directly from manufacturers, and at bargain prices few brick-and-mortar retailers can beat. Their flashy websites, aggressive marketing, and social media know-how help drive their breakneck growth.
Could Shein be the future of fast-fashion retail? Is Temu a potential “Amazon killer” with its vast array of offerings, millions of downloads, and super-cheap prices? Bloomberg Intelligence’s retail experts Catherine Lim and Tatiana Lisitsina join co-hosts John Lee and Tom Corbett for a closer look at the forces that are reshaping the way the world shops.
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US-led sanctions on Chinese tech firms were meant to put a barrier between China and the cutting-edge of smartphone know-how. Little wonder, then, that Huawei drew a collective gasp when it revealed its new smartphone -- the Mate 60 Pro -- is powered by a homegrown, China-made processor.
Almost overnight, the world woke up to the reality that China’s tech savvy was more advanced than many believed, giving global tensions a new sense of urgency.
Where does the U.S.-China relationship go from here? And how might it shape fortunes at Apple, which has an outsized investment stake in China?
Dan Hutcheson, Vice Chair of TechInsights joins co-hosts John Lee and Tom Corbett for a wide-ranging discussion of how recent events are reshaping the relationship between China, the U.S., and the high-stakes quest for tech supremacy.
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Hong Kong’s niche as a social and economic crossroads has framed its legend for decades. Now, a new generation of eager, young professionals from mainland China is rushing to Hong Kong to pursue similar dreams, filling the gap left behind by the city’s dwindling ranks of western expats. Their presence signals a seismic shift toward the city’s “mainlandization” and heralds the emergence of a compelling new chapter in Hong Kong’s history.
What’s driving this watershed change? What will it mean for Hong Kong’s economy? Its job market? Its business prospects? Mark Tibbatts of PageGroup, and Francis Chan and Peter Lau of Bloomberg Intelligence join hosts John Lee and Tom Corbett for a glimpse into Hong Kong’s future, and what it means for the world.
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The drumbeat of headlines about China resembles a litany of gloom and pessimism. A crisis in its property sector, high youth unemployment, faltering economic growth and soaring local government debt have raised questions about the future of the once-unstoppable Chinese juggernaut.
Are China’s days as an economic powerhouse a thing of the past? Louis Kuijs, Asia-Pacific chief economist at S&P Global Ratings and a veteran China observer shines a light on what he believes lies ahead as he shares insights with hosts John Lee and Tom Corbett.
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Country Garden was once considered a leader among China's property developers. Now, a missed bond payment has turned it into the latest poster child for all that's wrong with the country's housing market.
Developers saddled with too much debt, not enough cash, faltering sales, nervous buyers and anxious creditors all add up to a renewed crisis of confidence. The ripple effect could reverberate beyond China's borders, bearing strong echoes of the crisis that engulfed its rival, Evergrande, in 2021.
Can China's property crisis get much worse? Who's most at risk? What will it take to turn it around? Bloomberg Intelligence senior analysts Kristy Hung and Daniel Fan join hosts John Lee and Tom Corbett for a compelling look at how Country Garden stumbled, and what it means for China's housing market and its broader economy.
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Asia's ETF industry continues to shake up the investment landscape, attracting $65 billion in inflows so far in 2023 to an impressive $1.3 trillion in assets under management. Asia's retail investors are giddy about artificial intelligence, but other themes such as K-Pop and the Metaverse give Asia's ETFs an entertaining twist with a dash of FOMO. Rebecca Sin, senior ETF analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence joins hosts John Lee and Tom Corbett to discuss all things ETFs, including her take about the new opportunities they create for investors.
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Asia’s currency markets are struggling to make sense of a global economy in transition. Rising US interest rates stir risks of recession while falling rates in China reflect growing urgency to give its recovery greater traction. Meanwhile, investors are treading cautiously, ever-wary of pitfalls ranging from China’s beleaguered property sector to South Korea’s household debt.
Where does this leave the currency outlook for Southeast Asia and emerging markets? Where are the opportunities? Do the risks outweigh the rewards? Alvin Tan, head of Asian currency strategy at RBC Capital Markets, and Rena Kwok, Asia financials credit analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence join hosts John Lee and Tom Corbett for a closer look at how prevailing trends are impacting Asia's major currencies.
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The Russia-Ukraine War is forcing governments to rethink their conceptions of conflict, the role of technology and military spending. Will AI and technology reshape the global balance of power? Can the US and China make the hard choices to keep global business prosperous?
Kevin Brand, Bloomberg Intelligence aerospace and defence analyst and 30-year US Navy veteran, joins hosts John Lee and Tom Corbett for a discussion on the future of war.
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Japan is back on money managers' radar screens, with Warren Buffett leading a wave of resurgent investor interest in its growth prospects.
But some say investing in Japan carries risks. Years of zero interest rates and an aging population are just a few of the barriers standing between the world's third largest economy, and a new era of growth and prosperity, powered by new ideas and structural reform.
Can Japan deliver on investors' expectations? Or is the rest of the world expecting too much too soon? Bloomberg's senior Japan economist and Bank of Japan veteran Taro Kimura joins hosts John Lee and Tom Corbett for a look at Japan's appeal, and whether it can deliver for investors.
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Artificial Intelligence (AI) has shaken up the tech world with eye popping potential to change the way we work, live and do business. Some estimate AI's business opportunity as high as the billions, even trillions of dollars. But can the AI genie deliver on the hype? What are the potential environmental risks? And could China mount a challenge for supremacy? Join hosts John Lee, Tom Corbett and Bloomberg Intelligence senior technology analyst Woo Jin Ho for an engaging tour of AI's remarkable potential, and an unvarnished assessment of its drawbacks.
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China has become a global automotive powerhouse, with groundbreaking fleets of electric vehicles rewriting the rules of the road.
Its automakers have developed their own EV models with remarkable speed, catapulting brands such as BYD and Nio to unprecedented prominence, and raising the stakes for Tesla.
Its progress holds promise, but speed bumps lie ahead. How will China reshape the world’s driving experience? And will Americans ever drive Chinese cars?
Steve Man, director of industry research and senior automotive analyst with Bloomberg Intelligence, joins hosts John Lee and Tom Corbett for a look at what’s next for China’s automotive juggernaut.
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Southeast Asia is one of the world’s underrated growth stories. Its sprawling expanse stretches from China’s southern border to Australia's doorstep, comprising 11 countries, and a young, digitally savvy population of more than 670 million. Trade, tech, and energy power its growth. But what are the risks? And how can investors play it? James Cheo, Chief Investment Officer at HSBC Private Bank, and Rena Kwok, Asia Financials Credit Analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence join hosts John Lee and Tom Corbett for a closer look at Southeast Asia's investment prospects.
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The global pet economy is one of the world's hottest and fastest-growing consumer trends, with China leading the way. Changing cultural values, shifting demographics, burgeoning wealth, and an online-savvy consumer culture are turning our love of pets into a profit machine, with $500 billion in annual sales possible by 2030. Join hosts John Lee, Tom Corbett and guest analysts Ann-Hunter van Kirk, Diana Rosero-Pena and Ada Li as they look at what's driving the spending splurge on pets, and the business opportunity behind it.
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The shimmering glass towers of Hong Kong's commercial property market radiate wealth, power, and prestige, beckoning investors seeking a gateway to China. But since 2019, protests, pandemic, and a shifting world order have left the city's property market reeling. The worst may be past, but challenges remain, including high interest rates, geopolitical tensions, and rivalry from Singapore. How quickly can Hong Kong restore its swagger as a global business and financial hub? Join hosts John Lee, Tom Corbett and guests Nigel Smith and Patrick Wong for a look at what's next for Hong Kong's commercial property market.
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Japan's bold, two-decade long experiment with zero interest rates could be at an inflection point. Kazuo Ueda's surprise nomination to lead its central bank opens the door to new possibilities. Does this changing of the guard signal a new course for the Bank of Japan's monetary policy? How will Ueda guide its economy through demographic challenges at home while navigating geopolitical hazards abroad? Could the BOJ finally raise rates? What would that mean for the yen, global banks, investors, and trade? Join hosts John Lee, Tom Corbett and Bloomberg Intelligence analysts Audrey Childe-Freeman, Pri de Silva and Steven Lam as they explore what lies ahead for Japan and the rest of the world.
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India’s homegrown tycoon, billionaire Gautam Adani, went from an Asian business success story to an embattled corporate titan almost overnight, shaken by a bombshell research report that thrust his sprawling conglomerate, Adani Group, into full damage-control mode. The stunner from New York-based short seller Hindenburg Research accused Adani Group of playing fast and loose with its accounting, engaging in stock manipulation, and slack corporate governance. Panicked shareholders scrambled for the exits, wiping out more than $130 billion in Adani Group’s market value. Adani shot back with strongly worded denials, but the dust has yet to settle. Does it have enough cash to get it through the crisis? Can it restore investors’ confidence? Join hosts John Lee, Tom Corbett and Bloomberg Intelligence analysts Sharon Chen, Kumar Gautam and Nitin Chanduka as they discuss what’s next for Adani, India and emerging markets.
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China's freewheeling real estate market has been the powerful engine of its economic growth. But a parade of missteps -- including a debt binge and a lack of oversight -- has turned that growth story upside down. Across China, swaths of unfinished homes gather dust. Cash-strapped developers remain mired in default while millions of middle-class home buyers cope with lost fortunes and dashed hopes. Would tighter regulation have staved off such a debacle? How does China's housing crisis compare to the US crash of 2007? Can its residential real estate market ever recover? Join hosts John Lee, Tom Corbett and Kristy Hung, senior property analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence as they discuss what's next for China's housing market.
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Banks face a reckoning as technology shakes up their payments businesses. Digital wallets such as Apple and Google Pay have muscled their way onto banks’ turf, powered by pandemic-driven shifts in consumer purchasing and payment patterns, threatening their once-mighty margins. Younger consumers are bypassing credit cards, opting instead for “Buy-Now, Pay-Later” (BNPL) services. Can legacy banks adapt, or will they lose their customer relationships? Matt Ingram, Senior Financials Analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence joins hosts John Lee and Tom Corbett as they look at how this trend is rewriting the rules of retail in Australia.
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China is about to unleash its vacation-starved masses upon the domestic and international travel scene, a shift that signals the end of nearly three years of draconian, Covid-induced lockdowns and social restrictions. Will this be a case of revenge travel on steroids? Will their sheer numbers overwhelm? Do warm welcomes await at their destinations? Or will Covid concerns give Chinese tourists the cold shoulder at the border? Join host John Lee and Tim Bacchus, Senior Aviation Analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence, as they assess the business impact of China’s resurgent tourism on Asia’s major airlines.
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Two of Asia’s biggest money hubs are in a tug-of-war to woo the wealthy. And while "crazy rich" Asians are giving Singapore new bragging rights, others say Hong Kong still has an edge as the go-to city for tycoons to stash their cash. Hong Kong has typically been Chinese billionaires’ better bet, but its pandemic woes and political strife have spooked some fortunes enough to set up shop further south. Is Singapore the flashy new hub for Asia’s well-to-do? Or do the big bucks still stop in Hong Kong with its proximity to mainland China? Bloomberg Intelligence senior analyst Sharnie Wong follows the money with hosts John Lee and Tom Corbett on the Asia Centric Podcast.
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Apple’s relationship with China evokes a parade of superlatives. The world’s largest company by market cap produces 98% of its iPhones in the world’s most populated country and largest consumer market. Now, Apple’s China ties feel more like shackles as fundamental shifts in political and economic winds rewrite the rules of engagement between American business, and an emboldened Beijing. Virus lockdowns, swelling nationalism, trade conflicts and the threat of war are prompting western businesses – especially Apple – to reassess their China presence. Can Cupertino’s best and brightest hit the reset button while keeping the magic alive on Apple's legendary innovation and profitability? Or is it trapped by a business bond that was too weak to be felt until it was too strong to be broken? Join hosts John Lee and Tom Corbett as they explore these and other questions with Bloomberg Intelligence’s senior technology analyst Steven Tseng.
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