Singapore’s fund managers bullish about growth in 2021, with ESG a top theme

Unprecedented economic stimulus and the commencement of global vaccinations against Covid-19 have seen a wave of optimism about growth prospects in 2021. According to the Investment Management Association of Singapore (IMAS) 2021 Investment Managers’ Outlook Survey, half of respondents expect economic growth to accelerate going forward. 

Conducted annually, the survey looks to understand the most significant trends and make forecasts from the viewpoint of top investment professionals. The 2021 edition surveyed 58 members comprising mostly c-level executives of fund management firms in Singapore managing over US$15 trillion ($19.96 trillion) assets under management (AUM) globally. The survey was conducted online in December 2020. 

Besides their cautious optimism on growth, 66% of respondents anticipate the US Dollar to weaken by more than 5% relative to the Singapore Dollar. Accommodative Fed monetary policy aside, growing growth and Asia’s strong economic recovery are additional downward pressures for the greenback in 2021. Still, 22% of respondents cited inflation concerns in the new year. 

---

Related Stories

• Profiting from coal play despite a murky future
• Making sense of hydrogen: the surprisingly dirty backstory of a clean alternative
• Market correction, lack of future-ready skills biggest threats to investment managers here: IMAS

---