By persuading Western institutions to give Asia a try, as well as taking on a growing number of Asian clients, fund managers experienced a more than 15 percent increase in assets for a second straight year, according to the 2011 Asia 100, Institutional Investor’s annual ranking of the region’s biggest money ¬managers.As of March 31, the 100 largest asset managers saw their Asia¬based funds reach a record $13 trillion, up from $11.3 trillion 12 months earlier. Japanese insurers dominate the top of the ranking, led by Japan Post Insurance Co. (Kampo), with $1.16 trillion under management, and Nippon Life Insurance Group, with $654 billion in assets. Other top managers include large U.S. firms BlackRock, which had $438 billion of its $3.6 trillion in total assets invested in Asia, and State Street Global Advisors, with $375 billion of its $2 trillion in the region, and local players Macquarie Group of Australia ($252.6 billion) and China Life Asset ¬Management Co. ($241.7 billion).
Institutional Investor’s 18th annual ranking of Asia’s biggest institutional investors was compiled from a variety of sources, including questionnaires filled out by the institutions themselves, company web sites and annual reports, and regulatory agencies. II researchers refined this data through follow-up e-mails and telephone calls. When official data were unavailable, we obtained figures from actuaries, brokerages and consulting firms. Estimates are footnoted where used. All 2011 data are as of March 31, unless other wise noted; 2010 data are as of December 31, 2009, for all countries except India, Japan and South Korea, for which they are as of March 31, 2010.Senior Editor Jane B. Kenney led the project.