Cover story
Interest covered: Rates driving asset allocation
Is deflation the key threat to the eurozone? When are interest rates going to rise? When will the ECB launch its widely anticipated purchases of ABS? Selectors and managers have given their views.
Eurozone: A question of recovery in the periphery
For fund selectors based in the eurozone periphery, the pace of recovery takes on significant additional meaning as both local and foreign investors wonder if the improvements seen thus far will stick.
Political risk
2014 has rapidly turned into the year of geopolitics. Here are some of the key developments.
The gender agenda across Europe
Although it cannot be said that women necessarily bring better performance to financial services, additional diversity in the area of selection may produce interesting improvements.
Sustained growth puts smart beta under the microscope
Selectors are increasingly being asked to consider the merits of ‘smart beta’ on behalf of their clients, but opinion on its role in providing superior risk adjusted returns is not clear cut.
Recovery seen in Spain
After a prolonged period of outflows and a drop in investor sentiment, the Spanish asset management industry seems to be undergoing a period of recovery.
Arguing the case for property
The past year has seen a sharp turnaround in attitudes towards property, as the asset class gathers momentum.
SRI in Italy – Waiting for the institutional investor
Social Responsible Investing (SRI) is gaining ground across the European asset management industry, but Italy's is still weighted to the retail investor.
Catastrophe and convertible bonds offer a calming influence
As investors continue to question the great rotation from fixed income to equity, and ponder emerging markets developments, it may be time for allocators to consider convertible and catastrophe bonds.
The changing face of the Italian adviser
The distribution of funds is changing in Italy, highlighting the role and definition of independent advisers.
The pros and cons of AIFMD
22 July 2013 is a day that will either unleash great potential from alternative investment funds and managers, or result in a regulatory quagmire.
Funds hunt emerging markets, despite bubble fears
Strong demand for emerging market debt and equity assets should remain, according to experts in the field.
Character, conviction and flexibility prevail at Pictet & Cie
Mussie Kidane of Pictet Wealth Management says the evolving nature of selection means there must be scope to consider funds of different size and age.
Investor knowledge a priority for Sweden's FF
Pia Nilsson, CEO of the Swedish Investment Fund Association - Fondbolagens förening - says efforts to boost investor knowledge and confidence are among her top priorities.
Italy's Nextam Partners sees thriving boutiques
Nextam Partners CEO Carlo Gentili believes local boutiques are shaking up Milan's mature asset management industry with a new level of dynamism and diversity.
Spain's March Gestión de Fondos broadens its horizons
Not all the news from Spain’s financial sector is downbeat. Family-backed firm March Gestión de Fondos is pushing out across Europe.
Italy’s Azimut seeks growth in emerging markets
Italian asset manager Azimut explains the attraction of doing business in countries such as China, Turkey and Brazil.
Allocators warn of risk in hunt for yield
Investors chasing yield have been warned by allocators that they should not be chasing coupons at the expense of safety.
Real estate stages its comeback
Asset managers are building up their real estate teams and offerings as investors appear ready to contemplate a return to the asset class.
Beware the long term inflation threat, allocators warn
The threat of inflation surging in the long term as current monetary policies run their course is being flagged by a growing number of allocators.
Allocators rediscover an appetite for less liquid assets
The struggle to find yield from the most liquid assets is leading fund managers and asset allocators to consider different types of liquidity in their portfolios.
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