US cut lures investors, but best opportunities may be short-lived
European investors are eyeing the rapid price shifts in the US bond market, driven by expectations of interest rate cuts. While the rise in US government bond prices has been enticing, seasoned investors are now questioning how long this rally can last.
Shift to passive investing forces asset industry to reinvent itself
The first half of 2024 revealed contrasting fortunes for European asset managers as they navigate volatile markets, shifting investor sentiment, and regulatory pressures.
Euroclear to distribute Blackrock’s private funds, Eltifs
BlackRock and Euroclear on Tuesday announced a partnership aimed at expanding the distribution of Blackrock’s private market funds through Euroclear’s FundsPlace platform. This collaboration focuses on making private markets more accessible to a wider range of investors by utilising Euroclear’s fund distribution network.
‘Smaller stocks have never been so cheap’
Small-cap stocks have long underperformed their large-cap counterparts, now trading at a discount. For those with a long-term perspective, this could represent a compelling entry point, says Scott Woods, manager of the Columbia Threadneedle Global Smaller Companies fund.
Geopolitical conflicts over microchips
China and Japan are once again on a collision course, this time over the highly strategic semiconductor industry.
Investors are using defence ETFs as a ‘flight to safety’
As geopolitical tensions escalate and global defence spending increases, a growing number of investors are turning to defence-focused exchange-traded funds (ETFs). These funds not only provide a hedge against uncertainty but also present opportunities for capital growth.
Surely this must be the end of the rally
The equity allocation of US households has risen to 60 percent. The last time stocks had this much weight in the average retail portfolio was during the ‘Dotcom’ bubble. This can leave one to conclude that a stock market crisis is imminent.
The end of the non-dom regime in the United Kingdom
The proposed abolition of the current Non-Dom tax regime marks a significant shift in the UK’s fiscal framework. The new Labour UK government will be taking forward earlier plans to harmonise UK tax resident individuals’ taxation on the basis of their worldwide income and gains, albeit with some modifications.
What’s in a (fund)name?
In the apparently almost never-ending battle against greenwashing, the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) set a next step by publishing, on 21 August 2024, its new guidelines on funds’ names using ESG or sustainability-related terms (the Guidelines).
Fund Radar: US growth stock funds out of favour
US growth stocks had an excellent year in 2023. Although the Magnificent Seven pulled the cart, they were certainly not the only stocks to record a strong performance. And yet, despite the magnificent returns, investors seem wary and are now withdrawing money from funds investing in this market segment.