Expert Panel

The Dutch regulator the Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM) has investigated managers who make use of an exception to the licensing obligation in the Dutch Financial Supervision Act (Wft) and only fall within the ambit of a registration obligation. These are the “small” managers (the “light managers”).

The election of Donald Trump as President of the United States brings a range of uncertainties. Only once more clarity emerges about the course that will be taken on key issues will the full impact of this election result on the U.S. economy, international trade, and geopolitical tensions become clear. However, this did not prevent investors in U.S. small-cap stocks from taking a speculative advance on favourable scenarios for them.

Martin Groos unpacks the journey of the European Long-Term Investment Fund (Eltif) since its promising launch in 2015, and explores whether recent reforms under “Eltif 2.0” will finally deliver success.

Flexible allocation funds typically have broad latitude to adjust their asset allocation. Additionally, their managers have the freedom to add alternative asset classes to the mix, with gold being a well-known option.

Two months remain before the Digital Operational Resilience Act (Dora) comes fully into force in January 2025. A CSSF survey launched this summer has revealed that the compliance process for most entities is ongoing, but challenges remain regarding resources, dependencies, delays, and contractual negotiations.

Spreads on high-yield bonds are tight, and the fundamentals of high-yield look strong. Taking (credit) risks has clearly paid off this year.

The recently enacted NPL law in Luxembourg brings critical updates to credit servicing and purchasing, writes Sebastiaan Hooghiemstra at Loyens & Loeff Luxembourg in their latest contribution as member of Investment Officer’s panel of experts.

Local currency bonds have lagged this year, but expected interest rate cuts by the Fed have investors in emerging markets hoping for better times.

secondary transactions have grown significantly providing liquidity to long-term illiquid asset classes. Indeed, despite private fund-raising contraction, across the private market, secondaries fundraising almost doubled in 2023. In 2024, it is expected that the global secondary private market will reach approximately 140 billion dollars in size.

Investors are spotting opportunities in defence companies, particularly given the continued military support for Ukraine and significant increases in European defence budgets. Long-term revenue prospects appear stable, driven by the ongoing maintenance of military equipment and the need to replenish supplies.