Jeroen Boogaard

Companies that help prevent CO2 emissions play a crucial role in the transition to a low-carbon economy. They unfairly remain under the radar of investors, argues Raj Shant, managing director at Jennison Associates, in an interview with Investment Officer.

Investors often overlook the growth potential of companies exposed to megatrends like the energy transition and artificial intelligence. Those who discern the transformative potential early and stay invested might reap significant returns in the next decade.

High inflation is far from tamed, and profit margins are expected to deteriorate. Therefore, it is prudent to adopt a more defensive stance in portfolios, according to Christoph Schmidt, senior portfolio manager of DWS Concept Kaldemorgen, in a with Investment Officer.

The Sustainable Development Investments Asset Owner Platform, known as SDI AOP, offers the opportunity to standardise SDG impact measurement and develop a broad benchmark for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“The platform can become a global standard for SDG investing,” said Manuela Sperandeo, Head of Sustainable Indexing for EMEA at BlackRock, in conversation with Investment Officer. 

It is a good moment for investors to green their bond portfolios. The asset class is considered attractive after the rise in interest rates in recent months and the increased risk premiums stemming from the Ukraine war, Johann Plé, senior fund manager fixed income at AXA Investment Managers, told InvestmentOfficer. 

As in the sovereign and corporate bond markets, private debt valuations have risen sharply. “However, by focusing on the lower end of the middle market, we have been able to maintain spreads,” said  David Bouchoucha, CIO of Private Debt and Real Assets at BNP Paribas Asset Management, in conversation with Fondsnieuws, Investment Officer Luxembourg’s sister publication.

As governments and central banks wind down their support programmes, more corporate defaults and restructurings will follow. For distressed debt investors, a particularly attractive return of 15 per cent per annum is in store.

Investing in green property not only has social added-value, but also reduces the financial risk in the property portfolio. Experts warn that outdated, non-sustainable buildings are in danger of becoming unlettable. 

“As corporate profits are rising much faster than expected, high valuations in the equity market are falling fast. Equities therefore remain attractive,” said Natasha Ebtehadj, global equities portfolio manager at Columbia Threadneedle, in a recent conversation with Fondsnieuws, Investment Officer Luxembourg’s sister publication.

The Mint Tower Arbitrage Fund aims for a positive absolute return under all market conditions, and has managed to do so since its inception. This makes the hedge fund an ideal shock absorber in investment portfolios. 

This is what partner Marcel Voogel (photo, left) and head of investor relations Bart Bijmolen (photo, right) of Mint Tower Capital Management said in conversation with Fondsnieuws, Investment Officer Luxembourg’s sister publication.