Asia ETF Roundup – February 2012

Navigating the sea of information on the Asia (ex-Japan) exchange-traded funds market place

Morningstar Europe Editor 12 March, 2012 | 4:59PM
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This is the first issue of our monthly Asia ETF Roundup, where we aim to filter through the sea of information on the Asian (ex-Japan) exchange-traded products (ETP) market place and help investors to focus their attention on the most important industry developments.

In the first two months of 2012, we have seen an active start for the Asia ex-Japan exchange-traded fund (ETF) market, with 34 new listings in the region (24 in Hong Kong, 8 in Korea and 2 in Singapore), compared to around 100 new listings for the full year 2011, with some offering new exposures to investors. Particularly noteworthy is the launch of the first RMB denominated ETF listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Looking ahead, China is preparing to launch ETFs linked to Hong Kong listed shares and inter-market (Shanghai-Shenzhen) ETFs. The Asian ETF market is set to grow and ETFs are likely to become an ever-more viable investment vehicle in Asia.

Industry News
China Preparing to Launch ETFs Linked to Hong Kong Listed Shares
According to data posted on the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) website, CSRC is vetting an application from E Fund Management to list an ETF in Shanghai and Shenzhen that tracks Hong Kong listed securities. E Fund is China’s third-largest asset management company with assets under management of close to RMB 200 billion (c.£20 billion) according to the company website. In addition, the vetting process of China AMC’s Hong Kong Hang Seng Index Fund (QDII) was re-initiated. The fund was first entered into the vetting process in April 2009 with a plan to list on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange, but the vetting process was subsequently halted. China AMC was the first ETF manager in China, with assets under management of RMB 291 billion (c.£29 billion), making it the largest asset management company in China.

According to a report by the Hong Kong Economic Times, although funds in China generally take six months to clear the vetting process, these HK index ETFs belong to a category of “special products”. As such, as soon as the State Council approves these products, CSRC could subsequently approve them and they could be listed within a month.

The launch of China-listed ETFs tracking HK listed stocks is an important step in the development of Chinese ETFs, as they will provide a new channel for Chinese investors to gain access to HK listed stocks.

First China Inter-market ETFs Under Application
Two ETFs that track the CSI 300 index have entered into the vetting process with the CSRC. The CSI 300 index tracks the performance of 300 A-share stocks listed on the stock exchanges in Shanghai and Shenzhen. Upon approval by the CSRC, these two ETFs will be the first inter-market ETFs in China, offering a new way for Chinese investors to gain exposure and/or to hedge the performance of the two markets.

China Lowered 2012 GDP Target to 7.5%
At the National People’s Congress, Premier Wen Jiabao projected a GDP growth target of 7.5% for 2012, versus last year’s projected rate of 8% and actual GDP growth of 9.2%. This is the first time in seven years that China has projected a lower growth rate.

Lyxor ETFs: Société Générale’s Credit Rating Downgraded
With effect from January 23, 2012, the long-term counterparty credit rating of Société Générale, which is the swap counterparty to Lyxor ETFs, has been revised by Standard & Poors from A+ to A. The downgrade followed the sovereign downgrade of France, from AAA to AA+, earlier in the year. At present, there are 12 Lyxor ETFs listed in Hong Kong and 28 Lyxor ETFs listed in Singapore.

Lyxor ETFs: Change of Benchmark and Names of 3 ETFs Listed in Singapore
With effect from March 20, 2012, Lyxor ETF MSCI AC Asia ex Japan Real Estate (MT7), LYXOR ETF MSCI Asia APEX 50 (G1K), Lyxor ETF NASDAQ-100 (H1Q) will have their benchmarks and names changed.

According to the company’s announcement, the benchmark changes for Lyxor ETF MSCI AC Asia ex Japan Real Estate and Lyxor ETF MSCI Asia APEX 50 are being changed for a broader universe of underlying securities, whereby the change of the three benchmarks to total return indices is to harmonise Lyxor’s ETF range which mainly tracks total return indices.

The information contained within is for educational and informational purposes ONLY. It is not intended nor should it be considered an invitation or inducement to buy or sell a security or securities noted within nor should it be viewed as a communication intended to persuade or incite you to buy or sell security or securities noted within. Any commentary provided is the opinion of the author and should not be considered a personalised recommendation. The information contained within should not be a person's sole basis for making an investment decision. Please contact your financial professional before making an investment decision.

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