Asia Credit Best Ideas: September 2026
Zerlina Zeng, CFA: Head of APAC Credit Strategy
Pramod Shenoi: Head of Asia Pacific Research, Head of Financials
Lakshmanan R, CFA, FRM: Head of South & Southeast Asia Corporates, Head of GCC Corporates
Pius Xue, CFA: Senior Analyst
Nicholas Chen: Analyst, East Asia Corporates
Stephanie Sim, CFA: Analyst, Strategy and East Asia Corporates
Zoey Zhou Qianyun, CFA: Analyst, East Asia Corporates
Nicole Chua: Analyst, S&SEA and GCC Corporates
Jonathan Tan Jun Jie: Analyst, S&SEA and GCC Corporates
Karen Wu, CFA: Senior Analyst, Financials
Lim Ze Hao, CFA: Analyst, APAC Financials and GCC Banks
Trung Tran: Senior Analyst, APAC Insurance and GCC Banks
2 September 2026
- How Asian investment grade and high yield credit markets performed during August.
- What drove changing spreads across financials, corporates, gaming and regional issuers.
- Why credit fundamentals, yields and market conditions remain central to regional positioning.
- How core and thematic portfolios responded to shifting performance and new issuance.
- Where local currency bond markets may offer diversification and emerging issue opportunities.
Executive Summary
Asian credit markets showed varied performance across investment grade and high yield segments. Credit fundamentals continued supporting broader market resilience.
Regional financials and corporates contributed differently across core portfolio themes. Issuer selection remained important amid changing spreads and supply conditions.
Portfolio performance reflected movement across gaming, technology, property and financial credits. Meanwhile, market conditions shaped relative value across regions.
Local currency bonds continued attracting attention through active issuance and diversification potential. Additionally, Australian and Chinese markets showed sustained deal activity.
Credit strategy remains focused on balancing defensive positions with selective market exposure. Fundamentals, yields and issuance trends provide essential context for portfolio decisions.
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