Who is CLSA?

Over 30 Years of Insights

CLSA’s clients know us for being out of the box thinkers who provide unrivalled insights on the issues and trends impacting investment decisions.

CLSA was founded in 1986 by Jim Walker and Gary Coull, two former journalists who focused on ‘the story’. Our journalistic heritage has never left us and for over thirty years we have told the story of Asia.

True pioneers in the development of the Asian securities industry, over 20 years they built what is today Asia’s leading brokerage and investment group. Both Jim and Gary passed away too young.

Jim Walker (1949 – 2004)

Gary Coull (1954 – 2006)

Timeline

1986

CLSA founded in Hong Kong by two former journalists, Gary Coull and Jim Walker.

1987

CLSA takes a ‘peep across the border’ in the 10-year countdown to Hong Kong’s handover to China.

1989

CLSA opens offices in London, New York and Tokyo.

1990

CLSA launches The Vanishing Border, a video forecasting the impact of China on Hong Kong.

1992

CLSA produces the first Feng Shui Index. Now our most highly anticipated annual report.

1994

CLSA hosts the first Investors’ Forum in Hong Kong.

1995

CLSA’s private equity business CLSA Capital Partners is born.

1996

CLSA hosts its first China Forum in Beijing and the first India Forum in Goa.

1997

CLSA’s ponders Hong Kong’s joint declaration and basic law in the same year as the Asian financial crisis.

1999

CLSA partners with Bloomberg to launch G-Trade wholesale executions services business.

2000

CLSA releases its first Corporate Governance report.

2002

CLSA global strategist Christopher Wood publishes his first Greed and Fear.

2003

CLSA creates Fortune CLSA Securities, the first sino-foreign JV in China following China’s entry into the WTO (A-share broking license granted in 2008).

2004

CLSA hosts first Japan Forum in Tokyo.

2005

CLSA is one of only five foreign brokerages granted full-equity brokerage license in Malaysia.

2007

CLSA’s inaugural Chairman’s Trust dealing day raises US$5 million. One of the first CT benefactors is Room to Read.

2009

The first CLSA Australia office opens in Sydney and hires Brian Johnson, Australia’s top-ranked banks analyst.

2009

CLSA initiates coverage of US-listed equities and hires Mike Mayo, one of the top-ranked US banks analysts.

2011

CLSA launches PRADA S.P.A the first Italian company listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

2013

CITIC Securities acquires CLSA following an initial 19.9% investment in 2011. Read the article in Institutional Investor

2014

First joint CLSA / CITICS research report is published in preparation for the HK-Shanghai Stock Connect.

2015

CITIC Securities International and CLSA merge their corporate finance and capital markets teams.

2015

CLSA launches first two ETFs: Chimerica and GARY with HK’s Enhanced Investment Products.

2016

CLSA celebrates 30 years of broking and investing.

2023 Awards and Rankings Highlights

1. IBK

IFR Asia Awards 2023

  • Regional Awards: Asian Bank of the Year – CITIC Securities
  • Country Awards: China Bond House – CITIC Securities
  • Country Awards: Indonesia Capital Markets Deal – Amman Mineral Internasional’s Rp10.7trn IPO

FinanceAsia

Deal Awards – Asia

  • Best IPO Asia – Sichuan Kelun-Biotech’s Hong Kong HK $1.56 billion IPO – Sponsor
  • Best IPO SEA – Amman Mineral Internasional’s $708 million IPO – International Selling Agent, Joint Global Coordinator, Joint Lead Managing, Underwriter
  • Best Property Deal Asia – Yuexiu Property’s HK$8.36 billion rights issue – Joint Underwriter
  • Best Bond Deal China Offshore – China Taiping Insurance Holdings’ $2 billion PerpNC5 RegS subordinated capital securities – JBR

2. FICC

  • 2023 Bond Connect Northbound Outstanding Investment Bank Award Winner
  • One of the 20 exclusive inaugural trading participants globally to help launch trading on HKEX’s “Core Climate”

3. Wealth Management

  • “Excellent Wealth Management – High Net Worth Client”, Financial Services Awards of Excellence 2023,
  • “2023 Best Investment Bank HK China – Wealth Management”, IPWM China Awards

4. Fund Services

  • “Best Fund Administration Mandate Alternatives (Hong Kong)”, Asset Triple A Awards 2023- Sustainable Investing Awards,
  • “Best Offshore Fund Administrator”, 15th Caishi China Fund & Wealth Management, Jie Fu Awards
  • “Best Provider of Fund Administration Services”, The Hong Kong Limited Partnership Fund Association Annual Awards 2023
  • “Excellence in Fund Administration Services”, Zhitongcaijing Xinzhi Awards 2023

5. Asset Management

  • CLSA Stable Income Fund SP won “One Year Yinghua Award – Credit Hedge” by China Fund News
  • CLSA Asset Management Limited won “Top Investment House, Asian G3 Bonds” by The Asset
  • CLSA Asset Management Limited won “Leading foreign bond trading participants” by SHENZHEN Stock Exchange

6. EQD

  • “Best House, South Korea”, Structured Retail Products (SRP) Asia-Pacific Awards 2023
  • “Equity Derivatives House of The Year”, Asia Risk Awards 2023

7. Institutional Equities

Asiamoney Poll

Regional – brokers

  • 1st Best for Corporate Access
  • 2nd Best Brokerage Transformation
  • 2nd Best Regional Brokerages
  • 2nd Best Regional Brokerages for research
  • 2nd Best Regional Brokerages for sales
  • 3rd Best Regional Brokerages for sales trading

Australia

Brokers

  • 1st Best Brokerage Transformation
  • 1st Best Brokerages for ESG research
  • 1st Best Execution
  • 1st Best for Corporate Access
  • 1st Best International Brokerages
  • 1st Best International Brokerages for Research
  • 1st Best International Brokerages for Sales

Individuals

  • 1st Best Analyst for Banks – HENNING, Ed
  • 1st Best Analyst for Consumer Staples – BARWICK, Richard
  • 1st Best Analyst for Financials (non-banking) – HENNING, Ed
  • 1st Best Analyst for Industrials – KANG, Daniel
  • 1st Best Analyst for Real Estate – DRUCE, James
  • 1st Best Economists – FISHWICK, Eric
  • 1st Best Quantitative/Technical Analyst – BALANCO, Laurence
  • 1st Best Salespeople – MALLACE, Amy

China (A&B shares)

Brokers

  • 2nd Best Brokerage Transformation
  • 2nd Best Brokerages for ESG research
  • 2nd Best Domestic Brokerages
  • 2nd Best Domestic Brokerages for Research
  • 2nd Best Domestic Brokerages for Sales
  • 2nd Best Execution
  • 2nd Best for Corporate Access

Hong Kong

Brokers

  • 2nd Best Brokerages for ESG research
  • 2nd Best Execution
  • 3rd Best Brokerages for Sales
  • 3rd Best for Corporate Access

Indonesia

Brokers

  • 1st Best International Brokerages
  • 1st Best International Brokerages for Research
  • 1st Best International Brokerages for Sales
  • 2nd Best Brokerages for ESG research
  • 2nd Best for Corporate Access
  • 3rd Best Execution

Individuals

  • 1st (Indonesia) Best Salespeople – TJIA, Novita

Japan

Brokers

  • 2nd Best Brokerages for ESG research
  • 2nd Best International Brokerages
  • 2nd Best International Brokerages for Research
  • 2nd Best International Brokerages for Sales
  • 3rd Best Brokerage Transformation
  • 3rd Best Execution

Individuals

  • 1st Best Analyst for Banks – YANAGISAWA, Kazue
  • 1st Best Analysts for Thematic Strategy – COCHRAN, Shaun
  • 1st Best Salespeople – DEL PAPA, Massimiliano

South Korea

Brokers

  • 3rd Best Brokerage Transformation
  • 3rd Best Brokerages for ESG research
  • 3rd Best Execution
  • 3rd Best International Brokerages
  • 3rd Best International Brokerages for Sales

Malaysia

Brokers

  • 1st Best for Corporate Access
  • 1st Best International Brokerages
  • 1st Best International Brokerages for Research
  • 1st Best International Brokerages for Sales
  • 2nd Best Brokerage Transformation
  • 3rd Best Brokerages for ESG research
  • 3rd Best Execution

Individuals

  • 1st Best Analyst for Industrials – YAP, Paul
  • 1st Best Analyst for Media – YAP, Paul
  • 1st Best Analyst for Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment – YAP, Paul
  • 1st Best Analyst for Software, Internet & Services – YAP, Paul
  • 1st Best Analyst for Technology Hardware & Equipment – YAP, Paul
  • 1st Best Salespeople – LA FABER, Sean
  • 1st Best Strategists – LIM, Sue Lin

Philippines

Brokers

  • 1st Best Brokerage Transformation
  • 1st Best Brokerages for ESG research
  • 1st Best Execution
  • 1st Best for Corporate Access
  • 1st Best International Brokerages
  • 1st Best International Brokerages for Research
  • 1st Best International Brokerages for Sales

Individuals

  • 1st Best Analyst for Banks – DY, Alfred
  • 1st Best Analyst for Construction & Engineering – RAMOS, Joyce Anne
  • 1st Best Analyst for Consumer Discretionary – RAMOS, Joyce Anne
  • 1st Best Analyst for Consumer Staples – RAMOS, Joyce Anne
  • 1st Best Analyst for Energy – GUARIN, Derrick
  • 1st Best Analyst for Financials (non-banking) – DY, Alfred
  • 1st Best Analyst for Materials – RAMOS, Joyce Anne
  • 1st Best Analyst for Real Estate – ESTACIO-CRUZ, Wendy
  • 1st Best Analyst for Telecommunication Services – GUARIN, Derrick
  • 1st Best Analyst for Utilities – GUARIN, Derrick
  • 1st Best Economists – NAFTE, Anthony
  • 1st Best Quantitative/Technical Analyst – BALANCO, Laurence
  • 1st Best Salespeople – TAMASE, Patricia
  • 1st Best Sales Traders – LAO, Ruby
  • 1st Best Strategists – DY, Alfred

Singapore

Brokers

  • 2nd Best Brokerage Transformation
  • 2nd Best International Brokerages
  • 2nd Best International Brokerages for Sales
  • 3rd Best Execution
  • 3rd Best for Corporate Access
  • 3rd Best International Brokerages for Research

Thailand

Brokers

  • 1st Best for Corporate Access
  • 1st Best International Brokerages for Research
  • 2nd Best Brokerage Transformation
  • 2nd Best Execution
  • 2nd Best International Brokerages
  • 2nd Best International Brokerages for Sales

Individuals

  • 1st Best Analyst for Banks – WONK URAI, Weerapat
  • 1st Best Analyst for Consumer Discretionary – WIANGPHOEM, Nantika
  • 1st Best Analyst for Consumer Staples – WIANGPHOEM, Nantika
  • 1st Best Salespeople – ASVATHITANONTA, Jhoanne

Taiwan

Brokers

  • 3rd Best International Brokerages for Sales

KEY FACTS

CLSA provides corporate finance & capital markets, asset management, wealth management and securities services to global corporate and institutional clients.

  • Headquartered in Hong Kong
  • Located in 21 cities across Asia, Australia, Europe and the United States
  • Securities/Corporate Finance & Capital Markets/Asset Management/Wealth Management
  • No.1 Overall Combined Regional Research & Sales for Asia (ex-China A&B), Japan and Australia in the Asiamoney Brokers Poll 2018-2017
  • 2,000 employees globally
  • CLSA’s parent company is CITIC Securities

CITIC Securities

CLSA’s parent company CITIC Securities is China’s leading brokerage and investment bank*.

With the mission to become a world-class, China-focused, global investment bank, CITIC Securities acquired CLSA in July 2013 and became the first Chinese brokerage to purchase a global financial institution. CLSA is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of CITIC Securities, China’s leading securities firm and largest underwriter of Chinese debt and equity.

CITIC Securities was established in October 1995 and headquartered in Shenzhen. The Company offers a wide range of financial services and products including securities brokerage, investment banking and asset management, to a large and diverse client base encompassing corporations, financial institutions, governments and individuals.

Together, CITIC Securities and CLSA share the common vision of becoming a dominant force in global broking and investment banking driven by a culture of excellence, integrity and independence.

For any further information, please see www.cs.ecitic.com

* CITIC Securities was No.1 Securities Company in China in terms of Revenue and Net Profit in 2017 according to its 2017 full year financial results announced in March 2018.