Daily Brief Thematic (Sector/Industry): Leaders and Laggards in Advanced Asia-Domiciled Insurance Sector and more

In today’s briefing:

Leaders and Laggards in Advanced Asia-Domiciled Insurance Sector

Insurers domiciled in Advanced Asian Economies have reaped the benefits of the higher-for-longer interest rate environment that has buoyed profitability for the sub-sector, even though operational headwinds and policy uncertainty remain key challenges for the sector in the latter half of the year.
Suffice to say the trend in Insurers’ credit risk profiles, measured using Criat’s Credit Cycle Indices (CCCIs), has been non-homogenous across the continent with firms domiciled in economies such as South Korea and Hong Kong facing a substantially higher risk than those domiciled in Singapore, Japan, and Taiwan.
Strong net investment returns over the past year have helped boost profitability for most of the sub-sector that has increased its exposure to government securities.

Stocks surged Thursday, extending the Dow Jones Industrial Average’s winning streak to seven days
Japan’s major trading houses aim for double-digit returns on equity (ROE) by optimizing portfolios and enhancing shareholder returns.
Sony Group, among other interested parties, is exploring the acquisition of online comic store operator Infocom Corp, with a potential deal valued at up to 200 billion yen

China’s healthcare spend has been growing faster than GDP, however it still lags a number of the other emerging markets especially in Latin America.
India’s healthcare spend is very concerning and has been stagnant/declining despite the high growth in GDP over the past few decades.
China and India need to drastically increase spend to address their critical healthcare issues or face a declining growth rate.

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