Asset Manager

Amundi, Europe’s biggest asset manager, is calling on investors to reassess their global asset allocation in light of deep structural changes in the world economy, with its top investment leaders highlighting Europe’s growing role as a safe and opportunity-rich destination.

Falling inflation and the European Central Bank’s (ECB) conviction that price increases will stabilize around two percent annually in the long run made it possible for Frankfurt to announce another rate cut earlier this month. With this move, the policy rate has now been more than halved compared to the summer of 2024. The ECB seems to be casting out the interest rate anchor and allowing itself to drift for a while.

The first half of the 2025 market year was turbulent. Investors quickly turned away from their optimism surrounding a second term for Donald Trump once his erratic and impulsive leadership came back into focus. That memory immediately stirred nervousness and uncertainty across equity markets.

A quiet power shift is underway in the European fund industry. Investors are increasingly gravitating towards larger Ucits vehicles, favouring scale, simplicity and cost-efficiency over specialisation and boutique appeal.

While Europe continues to attract investors seeking attractive valuations and macroeconomic stability, M&G sees a fundamental shift occurring in the US capital markets: 75 percent of credit growth is now taking place through the private market—a structural transformation that is only accelerating.

Quintet Private Bank on Wednesday announced a new offering that enables its discretionary clients across the Benelux to access private market investments through European long-term investment funds (Eltifs).

Columbia Threadneedle Investments is preparing to launch a new range of Irish-domiciled active ETFs, but unlike many of its peers, the firm will oversee these funds from Luxembourg, not Dublin.

This week’s overview of appointments and people transfers includes updates from European fund and asset management association Efama, EY Luxembourg, LuxReal, and Sygnum Bank.

Geopolitical risk returns as markets weigh Iran escalation, energy disruption and central bank caution following U.S. attacks on nuclear sites.

With traditional market dynamics breaking down and foreign holdings of U.S. assets at record highs, US fund houses Doubleline Capital and Pimco both warn that investors can no longer rely on the old dollar playbook.