Asia-Pacific’s indexing industry has entered a new phase of evolution. While traditional market-capitalization benchmarks remain the foundation of institutional investing, demand has shifted decisively towards more sophisticated index solutions that support portfolio construction, risk management, thematic allocation, sustainability objectives, and the rapid expansion of passive investment vehicles.

Asset owners, ETF issuers, pension funds, insurers, and wealth managers are increasingly seeking benchmarks that are not only transparent and rules-based but also highly customizable, cost-efficient, and responsive to fast-changing market dynamics.

Continued ETF growth has been a major catalyst for innovation. Across developed and emerging Asian markets, new exchange-traded products increasingly track thematic, factor, fixed income, commodity, and multi-asset indices rather than broad market benchmarks alone.

Institutional investors have simultaneously expanded their use of indices as investable strategies, performance benchmarks, and building blocks for quantitative portfolio management.

This trend has intensified competition among index providers to develop differentiated methodologies while maintaining the transparency and governance expected of benchmark administrators.

AI investment theme

Artificial intelligence has also emerged as a defining investment theme during the period. Rather than merely incorporating AI into index construction, leading providers have focused on creating investable benchmarks that capture companies driving advances in AI, semiconductors, automation, robotics, digital infrastructure, and the broader technology ecosystem.

Thematic investing has consequently become one of the fastest-growing segments of the indexing industry, particularly across Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, and other innovation-driven markets.

Hong Kong, in particular, has seen growing demand for 60-40 equity indices, with 60% of assets invested in the local stock market and 40% diversified globally.

Sustainability has likewise continued to mature. Although the pace of ESG product launches has moderated globally amid evolving regulatory expectations, institutional investors across Asia have maintained strong demand for high-quality climate, ESG, and best-in-class benchmarks that emphasize transparency, consistent methodologies, and measurable sustainability characteristics.

Index providers have responded by refining screening methodologies, expanding climate-related solutions, and integrating sustainability considerations alongside traditional investment objectives rather than treating them as standalone offerings.

Meanwhile, higher-for-longer interest rates, shifting monetary policies across Asian economies, and persistent geopolitical uncertainty have reinforced demand for sophisticated fixed income, commodities, and multi-asset benchmarks capable of supporting portfolio diversification and risk management.

Local currency bond markets, commodity-linked strategies, and cross-asset allocation frameworks have consequently become increasingly important components of institutional investment portfolios.

Wealth management products

In markets such as China, where household savings are expected to move from fixed deposits to other wealth management products, there has been a growing demand for passive investment tools. This potential market is estimated to be about 70 trillion yuan (US$10.3 trillion).

Index providers are working closely with wealth management subsidiaries of banks to customize indices. This is in response to clients seeking higher annualized returns with low risk tolerance, with some requiring maximum drawdown in the single digits. This kind of demand has driven the development of fixed income plus and other multi-asset strategies.

It is against this backdrop that we announce the winners of the Index Provider Awards as part of The Asset Triple A Private Capital Awards for Private Banks, Wealth & Investment Bank Advisers, Solutions and Index Providers 2026.

This year's winners, covering the review period from April 2025 to March 2026, distinguished themselves not simply through the breadth of their benchmark offerings, but also through their ability to anticipate evolving investor needs, deliver methodological innovation, expand regional market coverage, and support the development of an increasingly sophisticated investment ecosystem.

Best Index Provider, Asia

S&P Dow Jones Indices

S&P Dow Jones Indices (S&P DJI) wins the award as Best Index Provider, Asia for its unparalleled commitment to regional innovation. During the review period, the firm expanded its range of systematic and rules-based index solutions supporting quantitative investment strategies and AI-driven index solutions, supporting institutional investors across the region. Its robust best-in-class sustainability framework and deep local exchange partnerships have strengthened its position as a leading regional index provider.

Best Index Provider, Equity – Asia

S&P Dow Jones Indices

S&P Dow Jones Indices is recognized as Best Index Provider, Equity – Asia for its unparalleled ability to bridge global standards with localized insights. The firm has continued expanding and maintaining a comprehensive range of Asia-Pacific equity benchmarks, including Broad Market Indices (BMI), ESG and Best-in-Class sustainability indices. By combining globally consistent methodologies with comprehensive regional market coverage, S&P DJI remains the industry's leading benchmark provider for Asian equity markets.

Best Index Provider, Fixed Income – Asia

S&P Dow Jones Indices

S&P Dow Jones Indices stands out as Best Index Provider, Fixed Income – Asia. Its comprehensive iBoxx suite, including the Asian Local Bond Index (ALBI) and ABF Pan-Asia indices, has provided transparent and rules-based benchmarks during a period of complex regional monetary shifts. By offering rigorous, data-driven benchmarks that navigate diverse local currency markets, S&P DJI remains one of the leading index providers for institutional investors navigating Asia's resilient credit landscape.

Best Index Provider, Commodities – Asia

S&P Dow Jones Indices

S&P Dow Jones Indices wins the award for Best Index Provider, Commodities. Leveraging pricing inputs from across S&P Global, the firm has delivered critical, transparent and regularly calculated benchmarks across energy, metals, and agriculture. These robust, transparent indices have enabled institutional investors to navigate intense regional volatility and supply chain shifts, establishing S&P DJI as the standard for managing Asia’s complex commodity markets.

Best Index Provider, Multi-asset – Asia

S&P Dow Jones Indices

S&P Dow Jones Indices is the premier choice for Best Index Provider, Multi-asset – Asia. By combining its deep expertise in equities, fixed income, and commodities, the firm has delivered sophisticated, cross-asset benchmarks that empower institutional investors to optimize portfolios in the face of regional market shifts. Its commitment to innovation provides the essential strategic clarity required for navigating Asia’s increasingly complex investment landscape.

Best Index Provider, Asia – Innovation

S&P Dow Jones Indices

S&P Dow Jones Indices is the clear winner for Best Index Provider, Innovation – Asia. By expanding advanced thematic indices providing exposure to companies involved in artificial intelligence (AI), S&P DJI has provided critical tools for capturing long-term structural themes such as AI, digitalization and technological innovation. Its commitment to an evolving methodology – particularly in sustainability and multi-factor integration – empowers institutional investors to navigate complex market dynamics with agility, cementing S&P DJI as the benchmark for excellence in regional financial innovation.

Best Index Provider, Thematic – Asia, Japan, South Korea

Solactive

Between 2025 and early 2026, Solactive solidified its reputation as a premier index provider for thematic strategies across Asia, particularly in Japan and South Korea.

By leveraging its proprietary ARTIS® technology, which utilizes big data and natural language processing, Solactive has successfully mapped emerging trends in robotics, artificial intelligence, and the digital economy into high-quality, investable indices.

Its commitment to cost-efficiency and deep customization continues to provide cost-efficient, highly customized index solutions that have increased competitive pressure on traditional index providers.

This customer-centric approach has strengthened the firm's position as a leading independent index provider and reinforced its role in enabling sophisticated thematic investment strategies across the region.

Best Index Provider, Equity – Australia

Solactive

The firm has strengthened its position as a leading independent provider of Australian equity indices through its comprehensive Australia 50, 100 and 200 benchmark families, regular index enhancements, and expanding ETF partnerships. Its flexible, cost-efficient index solutions have enabled issuers to deliver differentiated domestic and global equity exposures, supporting continued innovation in Australia's growing ETF market.

Best Index Provider, Innovation – Hong Kong

Solactive

Solactive continues to expand its footprint in Hong Kong by consistently delivering high-impact, innovative benchmark solutions. The firm has expanded its regional presence through specialized Hong Kong and newly listed equity indices, enabling investors to capture disruptive market trends with precision, transparency, and tailored methodological rigor.

Best Index Provider – Hong Kong

Best Index Provider, Thematic – Hong Kong

Best Index Provider, Strategy – Hong Kong

Hang Seng Indexes Company (HSIL)

Hang Seng Indexes Company (HSIL) has reaffirmed its leadership as Hong Kong’s premier index provider, securing three accolades by spearheading innovation in the Hong Kong capital markets.

Its success stems from a robust expansion of thematic and strategy-linked benchmarks, including critical ESG, cross-market, and sector-specific series that cater to sophisticated global investors.

By pioneering products like the Hang Seng HKEX Stock Connect China Enterprises Index and actively supporting the burgeoning ETP and derivative ecosystems, HSIL has solidified its role as a vital authority in the field. Its commitment to transparency, professional expertise, and evolving market needs has consistently earned the trust of institutional clients and industry observers alike. 

Best Index Provider – China

China Securities Index

China Securities Index (CSI) is a leading index provider across a wide spectrum of products, particularly in the mutual funds space. As more Chinese households shift their holdings from bank deposits to wealth management products, CSI works with major players in the banking wealth management sector, launching highly popular products in the market. It also works with securities firms, replicating some of their successful investment strategies and turning those into indices. Its customization and efficiency capabilities have received positive feedback from clients.

Best Index Provider, Fixed Income – China

ChinaBond Pricing Center

Leveraging its strong capability and market recognition in fixed income research, ChinaBond Pricing Center continues to be a leading index provider in the fixed income segment in China. Amid the growing passive investment demand from wealth management subsidiaries of Chinese banks, ChinaBond continues to provide customized indices and benchmarks for clients with extremely low risk tolerance. Its service quality has garnered satisfactory reviews during client calls.

Best Index Provider, Innovation – China

CCX Indices

CCX Indices covers both fixed income and equity markets, providing innovative and customized solutions to asset managers in China. Through its close relationship with wealth management subsidiaries of Chinese banks, CCX Indices has launched more than 10 customized indices for the fixed income market and 20 for the equity market. It has also expanded its coverage to the Hong Kong market by launching its 60-40 index series. Its service quality has received positive appraisals from Chinese banks and Hong Kong asset managers.

To see the full list of winners, please go here.

To learn more about the awards, please go here.

Please contact celebrate@TheAsset.com for details of the awards dinner.