Covid-19 has acted as the catalyst for society to identify and adapt to “a new normal”, as old business models may no longer survive in a world transformed by a pandemic.The consequences of coronavirus are sweeping, and the outcomes vary greatly depending on country and company responses to the crisis.
While the pandemic has also created pockets of business and investment opportunities in various asset classes, investors view it as more of a once-in-a-decade rather than a once-in-a-blue-moon opportunity. Some opportunities may appear to be attractive, but money managers must ask whether a company can survive in the as yet undefined “new normal”.
Waves of infection will also have a strong impact on the course of business and investors will be paying attention to a country’s short to medium-term ability to rebound. This makes China particularly interesting, given the sheer number of sprawling cities that contribute to economic output.
The pandemic has both accelerated the need to define a future path as well as create pockets of opportunity, but how it translates fully is yet to be seen.
Romil Patel, Funds Global and ESG Editor
© 2020 funds global asia 
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