Investors may draw short end in tussle over retail strategy

The industry’s objections to a divisive EU Retail Investment Package are being heard in Brussels, it has become clear in recent weeks. Investors could end up pulling the short straw, critics argue. ABBL says a clearer definition of retail investors is important for private banks and wealth managers.

Investment fund costs swing widely, Fitz data shows

Investment fund costs for both retail investors and institutions have become more volatile in 2022, according to data analysed by London-based Fitz Partners.

About one third - or 35 percent - of funds whose fees were changed last year have witnessed an increase in their charges to investors, with institutional equity funds leading the charge, according to data on around 40,000 fund share classes analysed by Fitz.

Private debt leads unregulated funds surge in Luxembourg

The 29th edition of the Monterey Insight Luxembourg Fund Report reveals that unregulated funds are outperforming their regulated counterparts in a big way, signalling a potential paradigm shift for the Grand Duchy. Unregulated funds, especially reserved alternative investment funds (Raifs), have seen a surge in asset value. Raifs alone have increased their assets to the equivalent of 458.4 billion dollars, marking a 38.6% rise from last year’s 330.8 billion dollars, said Monterey.

Retired Ray Dalio clashes with Bridgewater over comeback

Performance of Bridgewater Associates’ flagship Pure Alpha Fund falls short, raising speculation that the hedge fund’s founder, Ray Dalio, may come out of retirement to regain control, much to the dismay of the new CEO.

Although Dalio retired in 2022, he retained the contractual right to take back control of Bridgewater Associates, the world’s largest hedge fund, if its performance lags.

Climate risks insufficiently priced in by real estate investors

Natural disasters can have a severe impact on the real estate market, yet investors appear unaware of this looming risk. A correction in real estate stocks seems to be lurking.

Portfolio manager Lucas Vuurmans of Amsterdam-based investment bank Van Lanschot Kempen discussed this with InvestmentOfficer.nl. For the U.S. office market, a correction is anticipated due to climate risks averaging more than 3 percent. In riskier areas, the decline in value could even reach 10 to 12 percent.

Natixis survey shows ‘we aren’t through the woods yet’

In the wake of a sturdy first half characterised by ebbing inflation, stellar tech-driven stock market performance, and soaring bond yields, economists and investment strategists predict a reduced recession risk for the latter half of 2023, a survey by Natixis Investment Managers shows. “Recession is still a real possibility, but most expect a softer landing,” said Mabrouk Chetouane, head of global market strategy at Natixis IM.

Luxembourg 2nd cross-border provider in EU retail

Cyprus has emerged as the primary location for firms offering cross-border investment services to retail clients in the European Union and European Economic Area, accounting for 23 percent of the total firms providing passported services. Luxembourg and Germany followed closely, representing 16 percent and 13 percent of all firms, respectively, according to an analysis conducted by European Securities and Markets Authority (Esma) and national competent authorities (NCAs).