China Telecom Tops 2013 All-Asia Executive Team The recent spike in Chinese interest rates suggests that authorities in Beijing are determined to shift the country from an export-driven model to one more focused on domestic demand. Corporate China appears more than ready to play its part.
Consumer-oriented Chinese companies rank highly among Asia’s best-managed companies, according to Institutional Investor's 2013 All-Asia Executive Team. China Telecom Corp., the country’s leading fixed-line operator, took the crown as the Most Honored Company in Asia; the company’s chief executive, Wang Xiaochu, was voted as the top CEO in the telecommunications sector by both buy- and sell-side analysts, and Wu Andi won similar recognition as the top CFO in the sector. China Telecom’s Investor Relations team was also voted as the best in the sector.
China State Construction International Holdings, the country’s leading construction contractor, came in second place on the Most Honored Companies list followed by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., the Indian IT giant Infosys, the Hong Kong-based Asian insurer AIA Group and China Resources Enterprise, a major retailing, brewing and food and beverage company. Other Chinese companies that ranked in the top ten included Internet service provider Tencent Holdings and search engine operator Baidu. India’s HDFC Bank, a leading mortgage and consumer lender, and IT services provider Tata Consultancy Services round out the top ten.
As Beijing pushes domestic consumption as an alternative to sagging exports, executives around the region are bidding for a piece of its market, whether that be for smart phones, travel or luxury brands. Other Asian countries are tied closely to Chinese growth while also benefiting from the development of their own consumer sectors. Countries in South and Southeast Asia grew at an average rate of 7.5 percent last year, the fastest of any region, according to the World Bank.
Picking the Team To determine the members of Institutional Investor’s 2013 All-Asia Executive Team, we surveyed buy-side analysts, portfolio managers and sell-side analysts at securities firms and financial institutions across non-Japanese Asia. We asked these individuals to name the best chief executive officers, chief financial officers, investor relations professionals and companywide IR efforts in their domains. The voter universe includes portfolio managers and investment professionals who cast and sell-side analysts who received votes in the 2013 All-Asia Research Team.
Participants in this survey, our third annual, were invited to nominate up to four CEOs, CFOs, IR professionals and companies in each sector. All votes were weighted by place and aggregated to produce two distinct rankings (buy side, sell side) for Best CEO, Best CFO, Best IR Professional and Best IR Company. To be eligible, a company must be incorporated in Asia ex-Japan and traded on a corresponding Asian exchange.
Survey results reflect the opinions of 991 money managers and investment professionals at some 550 buy-side firms, and approximately 600 sell-side analysts from over 75 institutions. Polling began on January 7 and concluded on March 22, 2013; executives are cited at the companies and in the positions they held at the conclusion of polling. The names of those surveyed and the institutions they work for are kept confidential to ensure their continuing cooperation. Voters must meet eligibility requirements, and winners must achieve a minimum vote count. All ballots are subject to review by II’s Research Operations Group, and final results may be inspected by an independent auditor.
These 2013 All-Asia (ex-Japan) Executive Team rankings were compiled by Associate Editor Brian Murphy with assistance from Researcher Elgin Low.