Investment Officer

More than two thirds of fund selectors see active fund management as key to outperforming in the current year, a reflection of its growing importance in uncertain markets, the latest Natixis 2024 Fund Selector Outlook Survey shows.

The survey uncovered a strategic pivot among wealth managers, who over the past decade have largely favoured passively managed index funds. However, 45% of fund selectors attribute the outperformance of passive investments to a decade of artificially low interest rates and minimal inflation, conditions that are changing. 

Amundi, Europe’s biggest asset manager, on Wednesday confirmed that it has agreed to acquire Alpha Associates, a Swiss-based specialist firm in private equity, private debt and infrastructure investments, boosting its presence in the European private markets sector. Financial details were not disclosed.

Pictet Asset Management has shifted its investment strategy, upgrading its allocations to global equities, UK government bonds, and information technology stocks. 

This move stems from the firm’s latest Barometer report and reflects confidence in the market despite the backdrop of falling interest rates. This change is driven by a notable slowdown in inflation and consistent economic growth observed at the start of 2024. 

Navigating the interest rate cycle is a paramount challenge for family offices in Germany, according to a survey by Roland Berger and WHU.

Luxembourg funds continued their recovery from a slight decline in October 2023 by amounting at year-end to 5.285 trillion euros, up 5.1% over the past year,

Europe’s top financial supervisory authority is warning investors of a high risk of corrections in financial markets, especially in difficult-to-value private markets such as real estate. 

Only one in five management companies in Europe are publishing a legally required statement detailing how investment decisions may negatively affect sustainability factors. This encompasses aspects like environmental, social, and employee matters, human rights, and anti-corruption.

In a significant leadership change, Robbert Booij has been announced as the new Chief Executive Officer of Eurex Frankfurt AG, taking the reins from Michael Peters in July 2024. Booij, currently the CEO Europe at ABN AMRO Clearing Bank N.V., will join the Executive Board of Eurex Frankfurt AG from 1 May 2024.

This week’s overview of transfers, appointments, promotions and other people news includes updates from Fidelity, Alma LED Luxembourg, Fundcraft and Better Finance.

Christine Baalham and Tom Record

Christine Baalham and Tom Record have been appointed as co-portfolio managers in the global equity team at Fidelity International. Veteran portfolio manager Jeremy Podger will transition to a senior advisory role in March 2024. 

M&G Investments has appointed Emmanuel Deblanc as chief investment officer to lead its 86 billion euro private markets business. Deblanc, most recently at Allianz Global Investors, brings two decades of experience in investing in private credit, structured credit, impact and private equity, real estate and infrastructure.