S&PDJI sees growing demand and a changing role for custom indices in Apac

The evolution of the structured products market is creating new opportunities for index providers, with investors increasingly seeking solutions designed around specific objectives rather than broad market exposure. According to Yuan Tian (pictured), executive director of multi-asset indices at S&P Dow Jones Indices (S&P DJI), this shift is driving demand for more customised index strategies.

We continue to see strong demand for outcome-oriented and client-driven index solutions - Yuan Tian

"We continue to see strong demand for outcome-oriented and client-driven index solutions," says Tian. "Insurance companies, private banks and structured product issuers are increasingly looking for indices designed around specific objectives, including diversification, risk management, income generation and access to long-term investment themes."

_{The S&P DJI team at the SRP Asia Pacific Awards 2026 in Hong Kong on 24 June with Yuan Tian (second left) and Sam Tsiu (second right).}

Across Asia Pacific, demand has also broadened beyond traditional equity benchmarks as investors seek more diversified sources of returns. Sam Tsui, head of market development, Asia Pacific, says interest in systematic investment strategies continues to gather pace.

"We are seeing growing interest in multi-asset and derivatives-based strategies as investors seek liquid, diversified sources of exposure in an evolving market environment," says Tsui.

Transparent methodologies, documented governance processes and clear disclosure of index rules have always been central to our approach - Sam Tsiu

Those trends have emerged against a backdrop of geopolitical uncertainty, changing macroeconomic conditions and periods of heightened volatility. Despite this environment, structured product issuers have continued to innovate, with index development increasingly focused on delivering defined investment outcomes through diversified and risk-managed strategies.

Tian believes the industry's direction reflects a broader structural shift in investor preferences.

"Market participants are increasingly seeking solutions aligned with specific investment objectives and constraints," she says. "At the same time, advances in technology and data availability are enabling greater sophistication in index design, analytics and product development."

Over the past year, S&P DJI has continued to expand its capabilities across multi-asset solutions and option-based index strategies, supporting clients globally with a broad range of indices designed for different investment objectives and use cases. These include the S&P Risk Control Index family, intraday risk control strategies such as the S&P Dynamic Intraday TCA Index, as well as multi-asset benchmarks including the S&P MARC 5 Index and the S&P PRISM Index.

For Tsui, innovation extends well beyond product development.

"We're particularly proud of the collaboration across our research, product management, commercialisation and operations teams," he says. "That collaboration has enabled us to support clients across a broad range of markets and applications, while continuing to invest in client education, analytics and research."

Demand has remained strongest for multi-asset and risk-managed indices, particularly among insurance companies and structured product issuers seeking solutions tailored to specific investor needs. Interest in option-based index strategies has also continued to grow as investors evaluate different approaches to achieving targeted investment outcomes.

"More broadly, investors continue to explore exposures beyond traditional single-market equity benchmarks," says Tian. "While product preferences naturally vary across regions and client segments, the overall trend remains towards increasingly customised, objective-driven solutions."

Alongside product innovation, regulatory developments across Asia Pacific have reinforced the importance of transparency, governance and investor communication throughout the structured products ecosystem. Tsui says these developments are consistent with the principles that have long underpinned index construction.

"Transparent methodologies, documented governance processes and clear disclosure of index rules have always been central to our approach," he says. "While regulatory requirements may increase the level of diligence required across the product lifecycle, they also create opportunities to promote greater transparency, consistency and more informed engagement among issuers, distributors and investors."

S&P Dow Jones Indices was named Best Index Provider at the SRP Asia Pacific Awards 2026.

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