Money managers and stock analysts seem to have pretty firm ideas about which companies have the best C-suites in Asia.
In ten out of 18 sectors covered by Institutional Investor’s 2019 All-Asia Executive Team, investors and analysts said the best CEO, best CFO, and best investor relations officers all worked for the same company. Last year, by comparison, only four companies swept their sectors — and in 2017, that honor went to only one: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.
While it’s unclear what caused this shift in the views of this year’s nearly 2,500 respondents, it is clear — based on the results of the ninth annual survey — which of Asia’s executive teams are held in the highest regard by the region’s investors.
Among banking executives, the C-suite at China Merchants Bank Co. was ranked as the best in the business, with CEO Huiyu Tian, CFO Hao Li, and investor relations officer Yu Lei each awarded first place in their respective categories. The bank was also given top honors for its overall investor relations function.
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Other companies which earned first place in all four categories included sporting goods retailer Li Ning Co., which swept the discretionary consumer sector; China Resources Beer (Holdings) Co., the top consumer staples firm; environmental resource manager China Everbright International, which dominated the industrials sector; and Beijing Enterprises Water Group, the top-scoring power company.
In addition, Sunny Optical Technology (Group) Co. swept the hardware technology sector, information technology firm ChinaSoft International went undefeated in IT services and software, mobile service provider China Unicom won every category in the telecommunications sector, and shipping and delivery firm ZTO Express dominated transportation.
Additionally, once again, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. captured first place in every category in the semiconductors sector, with chief executive C.C. Wei, CFO Lora Ho, and investor relations director Elizabeth Sun each receiving top honors.
Overall, 52 companies received the designation of most honored company, awarded to each firm which earned a top-three position in at least two categories.
