Tough days ahead for BEPS 2.0 as Ecofin meets
The OECD’s latest global tax plan is in trouble. Dubbed “BEPS 2.0”, the Inclusive Framework Pillar One and Two proposals – which has the political backing of 137 countries – is facing political difficulties, including within the EU and the US. The “Ecofin” meeting of EU finance ministers on Tuesday in Luxembourg will seek to break the logjam in Europe. How is Luxembourg positioned?
Fondsevent: Europe risks losing out in ‘the big game’
“Europe does not use its single market enough as a political lever and militarily the continent does not amount to much. Our democracy and free market will be besieged on all sides. Meanwhile, the West’s willingness to protect our way of life is extremely limited. If we do nothing, we will remain a weakling in ‘the big game’.”
Insurers seek resilience in private equity, survey shows
Global insurers are diversifying their portfolios and most of them - 87 percent - plan to increase allocations to private investments over the next two years, which would represent a three percent average increase versus their current allocation, Blackrock’s latest global insurance survey shows.
OECD: more rate hikes needed as war slows world economy
The world economy is slowing down at a faster pace than expected as a result of the consequences of Russia’s war against Ukraine, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, or OECD, said on Monday. Further interest rate increases are needed in most major economies to halt inflation, it said.
IO Talks podcast: ALFI’s Lamesch on alternatives, ESG
This IO Talks Luxembourg podcast episode with Corrine Lamesch, chair of the Association of the Luxembourg Fund Industry (ALFI), sheds light on the growing popularity of alternative investments in Luxembourg, addresses the complexity of ESG and sustainable finance regulation, and hears about the role of the grand duchy as a global distribution centre for financial products.
‘Gold remains an insurance policy against chaos’
Gold prices have been struggling since the beginning of the year, quoting below $1,700 per ounce, definitely indicating a downward trend. On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve raised rates by 75 basis points in another move to a range of 3 to 3.25 percent.
Position of women in funds falls consistently short
The position of women in the asset management industry has barely improved in the last seven years. Citywire’s Alpha Female Report 2022 shows that a mere 5.5 percent of all actively managed funds - or one out of 18 - are led by women. “Progress towards gender parity in portfolio management looks to have come to a grinding halt.”
A Luxembourg Raif helps finance Bill Gates’ Rome hotel
A reserved alternative investment fund registered in Luxembourg turns out to have played a central role in the 165 million euro financing of the Palazzo Marini, Bill Gates’ new six-star hotel in the centre of Rome, close to the Trevi fountain. The team that supported the deal from Luxembourg was at law firm Dentons, with European Capital Partners SA as AIFM.
‘ECB puts its credibility on the line’ with record rate hike
The European Central Bank announced its biggest ever interest rate hike on Thursday. Its three key interest rates will be raised by 75 basis points in an attempt to control rapidly rising inflation in the eurozone. “The ECB has put its credibility on the line today.”
ECB to raise eurozone rates, but should it really?
Most economists, fixed income analysts and investment strategists agree that the European Central Bank on Thursday will raise interest rates. The key question is: will the hawks get their 75 basis point hike? Or will doves be heard with a 50 point increase? Some still question if hiking rates into a recession is the right thing to do.