Apac (Ex Japan) Investment Banking Fees Fell 5% in Q1 as ECM Fees Grew 62%: LSEG
LSEG data shows APAC (ex‑Japan) investment‑banking fees fell 5% YoY to $5.3 billion in Q1 2026. Despite the decline, equity capital markets (ECM) fees surged 62%, driven by Hong Kong activity. Conversely, M&A fees plunged 47% across the region. The mixed results highlight a shift toward equity financing amid weaker deal‑making.
Macquarie Asset Management Sells Indian Toll Road Firm for $1.7bn
Macquarie Asset Management, acting for the Macquarie Asia Infrastructure Fund 2, has sold its stake in Indian toll‑road operator Safeway Concessions to VINCI Highways for an enterprise value of INR 150 billion, roughly $1.7 billion. The deal marks the exit of a major private‑equity investor...
Australia M&A Financial Services Market Hits Turbulence
Two high‑profile M&A transactions in Australia’s financial services sector stalled in March, reflecting a tougher deal environment. The Reserve Bank of Australia raised the cash rate by 0.25 % as part of a higher‑for‑longer interest‑rate stance, tightening liquidity. Simultaneously, heightened geopolitical...
Ashurst Hires Singapore Restructuring and Insolvency Partner
Global law firm Ashurst has hired Singapore‑based restructuring specialist Kai Yun Tan as a partner in its restructuring, insolvency and special situations practice. Tan, who previously led the practice at WongPartnership, brings more than ten years of experience handling complex...
High Oil Prices Fuel Apac Energy Crisis as Middle East War Enters Fifth Week
Brent crude rose above $115 a barrel, up $3 over the weekend, as the Middle East war entered its fifth week. The conflict, which began on February 28 with Israeli and U.S. airstrikes in Iran, has tightened global oil supplies....
Winner Spotlight 2026: Aster Chemicals and Energy
Singapore’s FinanceAsia named Aster Chemicals and Energy’s $1 billion sustainability‑linked syndicated loan as a Highly Commended Best Syndicated Loan Deal. The facility, led by OCBC and DBS, was upsized by $300 million through a greenshoe option and syndicated to ten additional banks...
Clifford Capital Raises First Australian Dollar IABS at A$455m
Clifford Capital, a Singapore‑based infrastructure credit platform, completed its inaugural Australian‑dollar Infrastructure Asset‑Backed Securities (IABS) issuance, raising A$455 million across four tranches. The deal marks the firm’s first foray into the Australian market and represents the largest private placement of IABS...
CBRE Investment Management Closes $2.1bn Apac Value-Add Real Estate Fund
CBRE Investment Management announced the final close of its Asia Value Partners 7 (AVP 7) fund with $1.865 billion in equity commitments, surpassing the original $1.5 billion target. The APAC‑focused value‑add fund aims to acquire and reposition underperforming properties across the region. The oversubscription...
Middle East War Shakes Bangladesh’s Economy with Trade Deals in Flux
The ongoing Middle East conflict is driving up oil and gas prices, prompting Bangladesh to ration fuel and face long queues at stations. Export routes are jeopardized by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, while higher shipping costs and...
Opinion: How Hong Kong Is Building New Bridges for the Future
James Fok, chief commercial officer of CMU OmniClear, uses the 2026 Hong Kong budget as a springboard to argue that the city must build new physical and digital bridges with mainland China. He contends that deeper infrastructure ties will reinforce Hong Kong’s...
Quadria Capital Completes Malaysia's Apex Healthcare $470m Take-Private Deal
Quadria Capital, an Asian healthcare‑focused private‑equity firm, has completed the take‑private of Malaysia’s Apex Healthcare for an implied MYR 1.9 billion (US $470 million) at MYR 2.64 per share. The transaction was backed by co‑investors 65 Equity Partners, the Employees Provident Fund and China’s Silk Road...
China’s Economy Is Robust for Year of the Horse Despite Headwinds: FTSE Russell
FTSE Russell reports that China’s economy remained robust in 2025, achieving its 5% GDP growth target despite a deceleration in the final quarter. Industrial activity continued to be a bright spot, offsetting persistent deflationary pressures. The slowdown to 4.5% growth...
DBS' Net Profit Falls 3% to S$11bn Amid Rate Headwinds
DBS Group reported a 3% drop in fourth‑quarter net profit, landing at S$11 billion, as higher interest rates and increased tax expenses weighed on earnings. The decline was amplified by the absence of non‑recurring gains that had boosted prior results. Despite...
Mirae Asset Securities Issues First Korea Digital Bond
Mirae Asset Securities has issued the first Korea‑origin digital bond, privately placed in Hong Kong. The offering combines a US‑dollar tranche of $30 million with a Hong‑Kong‑dollar tranche of HK$325 million (about $41.6 million). Structured as a one‑year tokenized instrument, the bond uses a...
KKR and Singtel Agree S$6.6bn Data Centre M&A Deal
Global investment firm KKR and Singapore telecom giant Singtel have agreed to purchase an 82% stake in ST Telemedia Global Data Centres for S$6.6 billion (US$5.1 billion). The acquisition targets the leading colocation provider’s extensive network of data‑centre assets across the Asia‑Pacific region....
