Calastone sees an increasing demand from fund managers in Asia for accurate and timely data, to allow improved responsiveness to market trends and better decision-making. The regional funds industry has been undergoing rapid developments; driven by ongoing market turbulence, shifting investor preferences and the evolving fund distribution landscape. The industry is now more competitive than ever and managers must optimise their sales teams, together with the distribution chain, to ensure their funds are visible to investors and capture inflows.

Market volatility has been a theme of 2019 amid geopolitical turmoil, escalating trade tensions and irresolvable Brexit talks. This ongoing uncertainty is causing wavering risk appetite; fund managers need timely insight into investors’ changing behaviour and decisions, to adjust their distribution strategies and respond accordingly, with new or refocused products.

Calastone Market Insights is updated weekly, making it unique in the marketplace. The tool allows fund managers to access transaction-based data at various levels: macro markets, company, sector and fund, from the Calastone Transaction Network. As a result, fund managers can enhance their distribution networks, manage the life cycle of the funds more effectively, and exploit further growth opportunities.

Leo Chen, Managing Director – Head of Asia at Calastone, comments:

“Asia’s asset management industry is highly competitive, however, many fund managers are still beset by manual processes and outdated technologies. In the midst of a digital revolution, the use of data and analytics is the key to ensuring fund managers remain relevant to the distributors and investors.

In addition to adjusting distribution strategies, fund managers are seeking up-to-date market intelligence to support developing tailored products for Asian investors. The growth of crossborder fund initiatives, such as the Mutual Recognition of Funds and the Asia Region Funds Passport, is expected to promote the further evolution of the Asian funds industry and give rise to a greater array of locally-manufactured and domiciled investment products.”

‘Calastone Market Insights’ provides fund managers with a holistic view of the market, enabling them to gain an unmatched understanding of asset classes preferences and distributor performance.

Fund managers can compare subscriptions, redemptions and net flows; each by geography, investment style and time frame. The tool also gives the managers the ability to benchmark themselves against the wider market, to see where and when funds are being distributed, and by whom.

Leo Chen adds:

“Calastone Markets Insights will transform managers’ experience, saving time, money and resources, as well as empowering firms to focus their efforts on the right things at the right time”.