Opinion

I am captivated by a recent chart from Bloomberg that illustrates the anticipated movements in interest rates by central banks globally. What particularly catches my attention is Japan, represented in yellow on the far right of the chart.

Since its implementation in 2021, the EU Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) has successfully redirected flows from non-ESG funds to ESG ones. In Luxembourg, over 50 percent of Ucits funds are now classified as either an Article 8 or 9 fund, marking a significant surge in sustainability-focused investments.

The imminent decision by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on a series of U.S. spot Bitcoin Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) is stirring up the Bitcoin investment community. While many investors are caught up in a typical “buy the rumour, sell the fact” scenario, it’s crucial to consider the long-term implications on Bitcoin, guided by what I term the “7% principle”.

It is striking how few investors dare to bet their cards on the Magnificent Seven before 2024. All sorts of things are being tipped, but the Magnificent Seven have to suffer.

The hype is over and they could fall apart at any moment. It is either no good or it is no good. For an investor who dares to think contrair, it is an interesting premise.  Here are the top 10 misconceptions surrounding the Magnificent Seven.

Outsourcing, kickback fees, alternative investments, ESG challenges and competition with Ireland were among the topics of the most popular columns published on Investment Officer Luxembourg in 2023.

A major hazard for investors is becoming too entrenched in their beliefs, especially when evidence suggests a different narrative. While the idea of a “soft landing” may seem overly optimistic, it’s undeniable that some bastions of investment remain resilient, as evidenced by sustained corporate profits.

Mismatch

The investment fund business is continuously trying to keep up with updates, guidelines and new rules. Another major impact will soon hit the fund business. On 6 November 2023, the Council of the European Union published the final text of the amendments to the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive (AIFMD).

Germany is witnessing an economic downturn, a phenomenon receiving surprisingly scant attention. This mirrors a broader European trend of overlooking the foundations of prosperity in favor of more sensational topics.

Germany’s robust industrial sector, about 20 percent of its GDP, is the linchpin of its economic success.

The chemistry and energy-intensive industries are vital here, consuming 77 percent of the industrial energy and contributing significantly to the GDP.

In a recent speech, Christine Lagarde highlighted the dire implications of prolonged high inflation, linking it to the very fabric of democracy. This sentiment, echoed in my book “Turning Point 1971,” underlines the non-economic ramifications of inflation, often overshadowed by its economic impacts.

These days, it is almost impossible not to talk about gold or bitcoin - for me, these two assets are close in what they offer investors. So I do just that. What strikes me most is the extreme divergence that has emerged in a traditionally very strong relationship.