Investment & Market Trends

Temasek Holdings Pte is refining its investment strategy in India, signalling a shift towards larger, more concentrated bets as it seeks to optimise returns on its expanding US$50 billion (RM212.7 billion) local portfolio. The Singapore-based sovereign wealth fund, a long-term investor in India, is adjusting its approach in response to improving market conditions and greater ease in exiting positions. “The market is getting bigger and bigger, so we need to concentrate,” said Ravi Lambah, head of India operations and strategic initiatives at Temasek. The fund, which has been investing in India for over two decades, recorded a US$13 billion or 35 percent increase in its Indian portfolio this year, driven by capital appreciation and fresh investments. India’s predictable regulatory environment, robust economic growth and strong stock market performance have attracted billions in capital from sovereign wealth and pension funds globally. With the country now the world’s most populous nation and home to a US$5 trillion stock market, international investors have increasingly realised substantial returns. Temasek, which holds a major stake in Bharti Airtel through its affiliate Singapore Telecommunications, is now zeroing in on a few focused themes in a market it considers a top performer over the past decade. Lambah highlighted areas such as consumption, financial services, healthcare, sustainability, transportation and industrials as key investment opportunities. He noted that India’s market now has the scale and liquidity to accommodate billion-dollar equity purchases without major price disruptions. In a move aligned with its long-term outlook, Temasek is also seeking deeper collaborations with India’s family-run enterprises. “When we partner with families, they have longevity of capital,” said Lambah. As Temasek’s funds do not operate on a fixed life cycle, this alignment of investment horizons presents a strategic fit. Recent activity reflects this approach. In March, Temasek acquired a minority stake in Haldiram Snacks Food Pvt Ltd. Its portfolio company Manipal Hospitals also expanded with the acquisition of Sahyadri Hospitals in Western India. Additionally, Temasek-backed Dr Agarwal’s Health Care, a prominent eye care chain, made its market debut in January. Retail participation has surged in India’s equity markets, with inflows into mutual funds reaching a record 272.7 billion rupees last month through systematic investment plans. A strong and liquid market landscape enhances Temasek’s confidence in timely and efficient exits. “When we want to exit, the market will give us opportunity,” Lambah affirmed. -Bloomberg

Corporate Japan is experiencing a marked shift in investor dynamics, as a record number of shareholder proposals passed at annual general meetings this year. The trend signals growing assertiveness among investors and a waning tolerance for underperformance or complacent governance. According to Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp., seven companies saw shareholder proposals adopted at their AGMs, the highest number since the bank began collecting data nearly 30 years ago. These resolutions included board nominations and governance reforms, highlighting a departure from the historically passive stance of Japan’s shareholder base. The uptick in successful proposals reflects a broader wave of activism sweeping through Japanese boardrooms. Investors, particularly activists, have inundated companies with unprecedented volumes of resolutions, ranging from calls for real estate divestment to strategic realignment and capital returns via share buybacks. While overall shareholder support still leans towards incumbent management, the shift in voting patterns points to a gradual erosion of deference. This development coincides with increasing pressure from the Tokyo Stock Exchange and activist funds to improve capital efficiency and deliver higher shareholder returns. “Shareholder pressure is likely to increase given there is still much room left for improvement,” said Naoki Fujiwara, senior fund manager at Shinkin Asset Management. “The acceptance of activists’ proposals is a significant change from the past.” Alongside the rise in approved shareholder resolutions, there has also been a marked increase in the rejection of management-sponsored motions. According to Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank Ltd., 30 company proposals—primarily board director nominations—were voted down this year, a sharp rise from just six the year before. One of the most striking examples occurred at Tokyo Cosmos Electric Co., where all five board nominees put forward by the company were rejected. Shareholders replaced the entire board, including the chief executive officer, with individuals proposed by top investors. Similarly, at Taiyo Holdings Co., the CEO was voted out, reinforcing a trend of growing scrutiny towards executive performance. Data compiled by Goldman Sachs Group Inc. shows a decline in CEO confidence ratings, with the percentage of executives enjoying approval ratings above 80% falling by 1.1 percentage point year-on-year. As traditional cross-shareholding arrangements unwind, the resulting void is being filled by more vocal and independent shareholders, including global asset managers and hedge funds. Still, not every effort by activist investors has been successful. At Fuji Media Holdings Inc., shareholders rejected all 12 director candidates nominated by Dalton Investments. The broadcaster, already under public pressure due to a scandal, retained its management in the face of external challenges. Despite mixed results, the tone of shareholder engagement has undeniably evolved. Hisashi Arakawa, director and head of equities at abrdn Japan Ltd., observed that many firms are increasingly initiating dialogue ahead of AGMs. “We’ve seen companies pro-actively engage with us ahead of shareholder meetings,” he noted. “Whether these proposals pass is a separate matter.” This rising momentum of shareholder empowerment underscores a maturing market in Japan, where investor influence is no longer confined to the sidelines but is now reshaping corporate governance from within. -Bloomberg

Tencent-backed humanoid robot maker AgiBot is seeking to acquire a controlling stake in Swancor Advanced Materials, a Shanghai-listed manufacturer, in a move widely seen as a potential precursor to a back-door listing. The start-up, also known as Zhiyuan Robotics, intends to acquire at least 63.62 per cent of Swancor through its affiliates Shanghai Zhiyuan Hengyue Technology Partnership and Shanghai Zhiyuan Xinchuang Technology Equipment Partnership, according to a regulatory disclosure made by Swancor to the Shanghai Stock Exchange on Tuesday. The proposed transaction, valued at approximately 2 billion yuan (US$279 million), would position AgiBot chairman and CEO Deng Taihua as the de facto controller of Swancor. The current controlling shareholders have agreed to relinquish their voting rights, the filing confirmed. Pending approval from Swancor shareholders and the relevant regulatory bodies including the Shanghai Stock Exchange, the deal has triggered considerable market interest. Swancor’s share price surged by the daily limit of 20 per cent to close at 11.21 yuan on Thursday. While AgiBot did not respond to requests for comment, reports from China Securities Journal and Yicai cited the company as denying any intention to pursue a back-door listing through the Swancor deal. Nonetheless, the acquisition underscores the intensifying capital requirements of China’s burgeoning humanoid robotics industry. According to a TrendForce report published in April, six out of 11 domestic humanoid robot firms, including AgiBot, Unitree Robotics, Galbot, Engine AI and Leju Robotics, plan to manufacture over 1,000 units each this year. Following a successful acquisition, AgiBot could raise additional capital and potentially operate under Swancor’s listed ticker. However, AgiBot has pledged not to alter Swancor’s principal business operations or implement major structural reorganisations for at least 12 months, as stated in a separate filing from Swancor on Tuesday. If completed, the deal could enable AgiBot to become the first Chinese humanoid robotics firm to list on the Shanghai market. By comparison, Unitree Robotics is reportedly preparing dual listings in both Shanghai and Hong Kong, while Shenzhen-based UBTech Robotics listed in Hong Kong in 2023. Despite the strategic significance of the Swancor transaction, regulatory challenges remain. AgiBot, established in February 2023, does not currently meet the three-year operational requirement for a reverse initial public offering under Chinese listing rules. The start-up has attracted substantial investment, having completed multiple financing rounds backed by Hillhouse Investment, Tencent, and JD.com. During a funding round in March, AgiBot was valued at over 10 billion yuan. At the time, Yao Maoqing, head of AgiBot’s embodied intelligence division, stated that the company aims to deliver between 3,000 and 5,000 robots in 2025, up from fewer than 1,000 units the previous year. -SCMP