Thematic Investors: The Asian Investment Playbook | Highwest Global Management
Accounting for roughly $45 trillion of global GDP, Asian markets offer hedge fund investors compelling opportunities shaped by US-China decoupling and regional corporate governance reforms. While AI dominates headlines, a look beneath the surface across Japan, China, South Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam, and India reveals far richer opportunities—making a disciplined regional playbook essential.
In our latest Thematic Investors podcast, host Kieran Cavanna welcomes Andrew Nash-Webber, Managing Partner, Highwest Global Management. Nash shares his perspective on what makes this region unique for investors and outlines durable plays that can deliver strong portfolio tailwinds.
Key highlights on this discussion include:
- What are some of the decoupling signposts between the US and China that have occurred in the last 20 years, and are there benefits that both companies and investors can benefit from through this decoupling?
- How is foreign direct investment impacting a country like Vietnam in relation to China? How will investors respond when it moves from frontier market status to emerging market status and is included in the MSCI and FTSE indices?
- For investment playbook development in this market, is it better to approach from an activism or engagement strategy? What are the differences?
- What are some of the other investment themes, outside of AI, that naturally fit the team at Highwest Global Management?
- How can hedge fund investors leverage corporate governance reforms in their favor across these regions?
- For markets like Singapore and India, what should investors understand about these emerging market themes, and what cases does Nash point to drive durable demand while keeping investment risk in check?
- What are the nuances between the three Chinese investment markets, and how can allocators make better liquidity plays?
- From Oregon to Asia, how does Nash balance the advantages and disadvantages of analyzing the Asian markets from such a distance?
- And more.
Connect with Kieran Cavanna:
Connect with Andrew Nash-Webber:
About Andrew Nash-Webber:
Andrew Nash-Webber is the Founder of Highwest Global Management, an investment firm focused on publicly traded companies across the Asia-Pacific region. He began his investment career in Hong Kong, where he spent 11 years with Ward Ferry Management, eventually serving as co-CIO before launching Highwest in 2019. His investment approach focuses on concentrated, long-term positions and themes including corporate governance reform, geopolitical shifts, healthcare, technology, industrials, and financial services across Asian markets.
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