Asia Centric by Bloomberg Intelligence

China's challenges are snowballing. From its slumping stock market to its property crisis, to a generation lying flat, the outlook is daunting, and easy fixes are unlikely. The world's second largest economy also faces structural problems, including a shrinking population, high household debt and low consumer confidence. How will China's tough choices shape the road ahead, and what are the implications for the rest of the global economy? Hao Hong, Chief Economist at Grow Investment Group joins co-hosts John Lee and Tom Corbett on Asia Centric from Bloomberg Intelligence.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Evergrande has become the mother of all casualties in China’s real estate crisis, crumbling under the weight of its own debt, and leaving homebuyers and investors reeling. The latest twist in the Evergrande saga came this week when a Hong Kong judge ordered the property giant liquidated. The ruling comes more than two years after the developer first defaulted on a bond payment. Can Evergrande’s bondholders ever be made whole? What will it take to restore confidence in China’s property market? And why might the worst not yet be over? Bloomberg Intelligence senior analysts Kristy Hung and Daniel Fan join hosts John Lee and Tom Corbett to assess the ruling's impact and what lies ahead.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Red Sea attacks are impacting global trade, particularly container ships. Delays and high costs threaten supply chains and inflation. Shipping stocks surprisingly outperform. Importance of cybersecurity for small businesses.

Taiwan’s hotly contested presidential election was cast as a stark choice between two different destinies, but for the island’s voters, relations with mainland China are just part of the picture. Economic growth, jobs, and a path to prosperity are big issues for Taiwan’s more than 23 million people, especially its young adults, who’ve come of age facing the risk of conflict, a changing identity, and an uncertain future. How likely is Taiwan to find itself at the center of a wider conflict? How much damage would an invasion inflict? How would the US respond? Can such a scenario be prevented? And what will the next four years look like? Jennifer Welch, Chief Geo-Economics Analyst at Bloomberg Economics and Maeva Cousin, Senior Global Economist for Bloomberg Economics join co-hosts John Lee and Tom Corbett for a look at the precarious road ahead for Taiwan and the world.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Asia’s investors are staring at a potential watershed year in 2024, which promises turning points, stumbling blocks, opportunities, and more than a few surprises. Falling rates appear likely, but when, how fast and how far the U.S. central bank will cut has investors guessing, with implications for Asian currencies, bonds and equities. Can China recapture the animal spirits that once made it the darling of western investors? Or will Japan and Southeast Asia continue to steal the spotlight? And what could go wrong? Bloomberg Intelligence’s Senior Asia Equity Strategist Marvin Chen, Chief Asia FX and Rates Strategist Stephen Chiu, and Senior Asia Credit Strategist Timothy Tan join Asia Centric’s co-costs John Lee and Tom Corbett for a look at what 2024 might bring.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Family offices -- they’re the secretive, go-anywhere asset managers that quietly steward fortunes for the ultra-rich. In Asia, Singapore has emerged as the new family office hot spot, wooing captains of industry, crypto whales, and Chinese billionaires with low taxes, favorable regulations, a business-friendly environment, and safety and security. The island has become home to more than 1,100 family offices, which manage more than $4 trillion in assets. Why is Singapore such a draw for the world’s billionaires? Is the growth sustainable? And what are the risks? Venture capitalist and family office CEO Sharon Sim joins co-hosts John Lee and Tom Corbett for a look under the hood at this insular but fast-growing corner of the high net-worth world.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

India has emerged as the hot, new growth opportunity for global investors. It's the world’s most populous country, and largest democracy. It’s home to a demographic swath of 600 million people younger than 30, and a booming economy growing by 7-8% a year. India’s energy and opportunity have made it a magnet for foreign capital, leaving many convinced that the highest-quality growth is yet to come. But is India's growth story the real deal? Is it at a tipping point too promising to ignore? Or is it just a diversification play for investors seeking to hedge their stakes in China? Veteran emerging markets investor Mark Mobius, founder of Mobius Capital Partners, talks to Asia Centric’s John Lee and Tom Corbett from Chennai, and he reveals why he’s excited enough about India to make a big bet on its economic future.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Global real estate investors have been navigating a treacherous path, with many wondering where the markets will go next. In Hong Kong, interest rates have crushed home prices, sending some mortgages under water while its once jam-packed commercial real estate market struggles to fill space. When might the real estate winds shift? Will rates carry property values higher or lower? Where are the risks and opportunities? And is it really different this time? Veteran Hong Kong property consultant Peter Churchouse of Portwood Capital and senior property analyst Patrick Wong share their insights with co-hosts John Lee and Tom Corbett on Asia Centric from Bloomberg Intelligence.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So-called weight-loss drugs are generating waves of hope and hype. Names such as Wegovy, Ozempic and Mounjaro fall breathlessly from the lips of social media influencers, bringing promise and possibility to the one billion people the World Health Organization says suffer from obesity.Investors are already buying in, sending the market caps of Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly soaring into the ranks of the world’s most valuable companies. Are these obesity drugs a fat-fighting panacea? Could they make junk food cravings a thing of the past? What’s their sales potential in Asia? Can makers of salty snacks lean in to a potential shift in eating habits? Bloomberg Intelligence healthcare analysts Michael Shah and Leslie Yang join hosts John Lee and Tom Corbett to discuss whether these so-called "wonder drugs" can live up to their hype.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chinese shopping apps Shein and Temu are disrupting the global retail industry by offering bargain prices and attracting overseas consumers. The podcast explores whether Shein could be the future of fast-fashion retail and if Temu has the potential to challenge Amazon. It also discusses the rise of Chinese shopping apps in the global market, their competitive advantages, and their popularity on social media platforms. The hosts conclude with a discussion on online shopping giants in China and introduce an ad segment promoting innovative projects and Orlando as a hub of innovation.