
featured insights & webinar
A major global trading and geopolitical event happened last week, attracting relatively little commentary from a media more preoccupied with US politics and the pandemic.
Nov 24, 2020
As business activities in China mostly resume to a normal level, we also observed some mean-reversion in factor returns, and interesting rotation in sector returns. Still, China A shares continue to outperform the US and global equity markets. With “high-quality” growth emphasized by the 14th Five-Year Plan and “Dual Circulation”, we believe “Quality Growth” will continue to be the main tone of China A equities.
Nov 11, 2020
So, it is official: Exit Donald Trump, enter President Joe Biden. And when the cheering and crying is done, we are likely to see that the election meant more emotionally to Americans than it does economically for the nation, or financially for the markets. The big economic and market trends are unlikely to be changed by the election.
Nov 09, 2020
China’s 14th, Five-Year Plan is a refreshing reiteration of conventional supply side policies, at a time when Developed Markets are in the grip of very unorthodox economic policies.
Nov 04, 2020
The term "dual circulation” is one of the hot searches in China and receives great attention after President Xi first expressed this idea at a top official meeting held earlier this year. He then elaborated further that China’s economic model will be involving an internal circulation developing a substantial domestic market, and an external circulation deepening the international trade. The latest meeting of Communist Party’s Central Committee reinforced this policy will be the core component of the 14th five-year plan for the development between 2021 and 2025.
Nov 04, 2020
The latest economic data confirms the upward trajectory of Chinese growth, putting China on track to be the only major economy to register growth for the full year 2020. And it highlights the attractiveness of China’s asset markets and supports the case for continued outperformance against other major markets.
Oct 28, 2020
Two separate news items last week focused our attention on the gap in understanding about the rapidly changing energy landscape in China.
Oct 20, 2020
Yield curve steepening – which has been accelerating in recent weeks as the market contemplates a whopper of a stimulus package under a possible Biden White House – is likely to continue regardless of the winner on November 3.
Oct 14, 2020
Since COVID we have observed that many constituents in our Premia ETFs have been silver lining beneficiaries and continue rallying notwithstanding the market volatilities, unfolding COVID situation and US China tension. Here we share the conversation with our Co-CIO David Lai and team, on some frequent topics that come up often in our client conversations, especially around China new economy ETF (3173/ 9173 HK), which registered strong YTD return* of ~40% and have become the 4th largest A shares ETF in Hong Kong as consistent inflows since April tripled its AUM to ~US$285 million.Please click here for transcript to the disscussion.*as of October 12th 2020
Oct 14, 2020
BY TOPICS
Chart Of the Week


David Lai , CFA
CFA
Chinese equities got off to a strong start in 2026, led by the STAR Market. Since onshore trading resumed, the STAR50 Index has risen 9.9% in dollar return, outperforming CSI300’s 2.9% and offshore Hang Seng Tech’s 3%. This extends the strong momentum seen in 2025, when the STAR50 delivered a dollar return of 42.6%, well ahead of CSI300’s 26.3% and Hang Seng Tech’s 24.5%. Policy signals remain supportive. In his New Year’s Eve address, President Xi highlighted China’s progress in artificial intelligence and semiconductors, reinforcing innovation as a core pillar of high-quality economic development. Advances in humanoid robotics, drones, aerospace, and defence were cited as key examples. At the corporate level, the China Integrated Circuit Industry Investment Fund (“Big Fund”) increased its stake in SMIC, the largest constituent of the STAR50 Index, from 4.79% to 9.25%, showing state support for advanced-node capabilities. Among the outperforming stocks, Guobo Electronics rose close to 40% over the past five trading days, following reports that China aims to scale up to 100 rocket launches annually by 2030. As a leading supplier of RF chips and T/R modules, Guobo is a major beneficiary of rising demand for satellite and launch-vehicle communications. AMEC shares also surged after announcing the acquisition of a 64.7% stake in Hangzhou Zhongsilicon, expanding its offering from dry processes into chemical mechanical polishing. Meanwhile, VeriSilicon Microelectronics reported a 130% year-on-year increase in new orders last quarter, driven by accelerating AI chip demand. Against this backdrop, the Premia China STAR50 ETF allows investors to align portfolios with China’s strategic push in advanced technology and innovation through the STAR Market.
Jan 12, 2026





