Summary of Key Points from Morgan Stanley Asia's Thematic Opportunities (3Q25) Industry Overview - **Industry**: Various sectors within the Asia Pacific region, focusing on emerging investment themes and opportunities identified by Morgan Stanley's research department. Core Themes and Investment Opportunities 1. **Future of Energy** - Global solar market expected to see gross margins for integrated module players turn positive by 2026-27 due to anti-involution reforms [3][3] - Japan's natural gas demand projected to grow at a CAGR of +0.8% from 2023-2031, with LNG imports from the US expected to rise by +14% [3][3] - Global new nuclear capacity anticipated to reach 587GW by 2050, with significant growth in Asia, particularly China and India [3][3] 2. **Tech Diffusion** - AI data centers projected to consume up to 1,068 billion liters of water annually by 2028, an 11x increase from 2024, driven by cooling and electricity generation needs [3][3] - AI NAND market expected to account for 34% of the global NAND market by 2029, adding an incremental US$29 billion to the total addressable market [3][3] 3. **Multipolar World** - Defense spending in Asia (South Korea, Japan, Singapore, India) projected to expand at a 12% CAGR to US$354 billion by 2029, matching China's defense budget [3][3] - Vehicles with Level 2+ all-scenario smart driving expected to reach 28% of unit sales by 2030, up from 8% in 2024, with a global ADAS/AD market size estimated at US$200 billion by 2030 [3][3] 4. **Capital Market Reform** - MSCI China's ROE expected to rise to 13.3% by 2030, supported by policy execution and structural reforms [3][3] - Singapore's equity market reforms could drive ROE to 14% from 12%, potentially doubling market cap by 2030 [3][3] 5. **Longevity** - Innovative drug sales projected to comprise 53% of China's pharmaceutical market by 2030, up from 29% in 2023, with a CAGR of 21% from 2024 to 2030 [3][3] Additional Insights - **Water Consumption Risks**: AI's water consumption poses high local risks, especially in data center hubs facing water scarcity, highlighting the need for strategic investments in water-efficient technologies [27][27] - **Supply Chain Dynamics**: The report discusses the ongoing reorientation of supply chains due to geopolitical tensions, particularly between the US and China, and the shift towards onshoring production in the US for high-end products [56][56] - **Defense Industry Outlook**: The report emphasizes the expected super-cycle in Korea's defense industry, driven by rising global defense budgets and the need for modernization [64][64] Key Stock Implications - **Top Picks**: The report identifies several companies across various themes, including: - **Tech Diffusion**: KIOXIA, Samsung Electronics, and Hanwha Aerospace [12][12] - **Future of Energy**: Reliance Industries and Gulf Development PCL [12][12] - **Longevity**: Jiangsu Hengrui and Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group [12][12] This summary encapsulates the key themes and insights from Morgan Stanley's thematic opportunities report, highlighting potential investment avenues and risks within the Asia Pacific region.

Investment Rating - The report indicates a positive outlook for asset owners in the Asia Pacific region regarding sustainability investments, suggesting a favorable investment rating for the sector. Core Insights - Asset owners in Asia are continuing to allocate significant funds towards sustainability, with at least US $5.4 billion announced since 2024 [2][14]. - The report highlights that Asia's role in global sustainability investments is underappreciated, estimating that only 10% of global assets are allocated to Asia sustainability, which is considered conservative [3][21]. - A survey reveals that 80% of asset owners in the Asia Pacific expect assets under management (AUM) in sustainable funds to grow over the next two years, indicating strong confidence in the sector [4][34]. Summary by Sections Asset Allocations - Several asset owners in Asia have publicly announced sustainability mandates, focusing on climate change and incorporating ESG factors into their investment processes [14][15]. - Notable asset owners like the Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF) of Japan and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) have updated their policies to promote ESG integration [15][18]. Market Positioning - The report argues that the current allocation of 10% to Asia sustainability is too conservative when compared to Asia's share of global GDP (47%), population (56%), and GHG emissions (60%) [24][25][28]. - The report cites that APAC sustainability funds represent only 3% of global sustainability funds, contrasting with the broader definition used by the Global Sustainable Investment Alliance (GSIA), which reports 18% [26][29]. Growth Expectations - The Morgan Stanley Institute for Sustainable Investing survey indicates that 82% of APAC institutional investors expect AUM in sustainable funds to increase, with growth opportunities being the primary driver [34][36]. - Concerns regarding data availability and unrealistic expectations about sustainability outcomes are noted, with 67% of APAC institutional investors having net-zero targets [37][38]. Focus List Performance - The Asia Sustainability Focus List has shown a total return of 24.5% since inception, outperforming the MSCI AC Asia Pacific Index [61]. - The report includes specific companies and their performance metrics, indicating a strong interest in sectors related to energy transition and circular economy [60][62].