Esma faces uphill battle to emerge as European SEC
In an interview with Investment Officer, Esma chair Verena Ross outlined her vision and the significant challenges ahead as the regulatory body aims to become Europe’s equivalent to the US SEC.
Amundi’s ETF machine keeps humming, but active pays the bills
Amundi’s full-year results underscore how Europe’s largest asset manager has become a formidable ETF machine. Yet behind the record passive inflows, profits still rely heavily on traditional active management and a deliberate push into higher-margin activities.
L&G looks for growth in public-private funds
Asset manager L&G is planning to set up hybrid “crossover” funds alongside its extensive passive business. These funds will contain both public and private investments. With this in mind, the British asset manager is working with specialists such as Blackstone.
Luxembourg, the Singapore of Europe? Or the other way around?
The comparison is increasingly common. Luxembourg is often described as the Singapore of Europe. It is meant as praise, and rightly so. But the comparison deserves refinement, because it cuts both ways.
Trump’s ‘OK’ with a weaker dollar, European investors less so
An uptick of volatility in the dollar is forcing European investors to confront an awkward choice. With hedging already expensive, some are paying up to protect against further weakness. Others are opting to take the risk, arguing the bulk of the adjustment may already be behind them.
The Fed after Powell: Warsh and the productivity revolution
Jerome Powell is stepping down as chair of the Federal Reserve. Kevin Warsh will succeed him. For investors, the big question is whether US central bank policy will really change. The short answer: yes, possibly. And the reason is AI.
Fragmented capital markets cost Europe 150 billion euro a year
Europe’s failure to complete its capital markets integration carries a measurable economic cost of around 150 billion euro per year in lost investment, according to a new report from the Citi Institute. Over a ten-year period, the drag on economic growth could amount to roughly 1.5 percent of GDP.
Chart of the week: choosing between two evils has never been easier
Almost daily, I find myself amazed at how people simply refuse to see certain things. On the street, in politics, but also in the financial markets.
Why the gold price could rise further in 2026
Strong demand for gold from central banks and the relatively small position held by private investors in the precious metal will push the gold price higher in 2026, Carmignac expects. Even so, the asset manager has slightly reduced its allocation to gold.
Morningstar: AXA versus Jupiter in global high yield bond
Corporate bonds, particularly high yield bonds, had a strong 2025 but portfolio managers remain cautious going into 2026.