Asset Manager

French banks are making significant strides that could reshape the European asset management landscape. The acquisition of AXA Investment Managers by BNP Paribas heralds a new era under Basel III regulations, according to Mediobanca Andrea Filtri. “The once-forbidden dream is now reality, opening new horizons for mergers and acquisitions,” he said.

Gregory Kennedy reflects on cross-border commuting in Luxembourg, where once attractive border towns now face eroding quality of life.

The stock market is going through turbulent times, especially within the large technology stocks segment. Nevertheless, a soft landing seems to be in the offing. Investors are already anticipating a possible rebound, especially among US cyclical stocks and smallcaps.

The Federal Reserve has announced plans to substantially ease the capital requirements for large US banks, marking a significant shift in the implementation of Basel III standards. This pivot reflects the struggle regulators face in balancing the need for financial stability with the competitiveness of banks.

JP Morgan and State Street have reinforced their dominance in Luxembourg’s fund industry, according to the latest Monterey Insights Luxembourg Fund Report 2024.

In a world where AI dominates and geopolitics shift rapidly, Allianz’s CIO Virginie Maisonneuve embraces ‘Digital Darwinism’, steering investment strategies through innovation, China’s rise, and Europe’s struggle to regain its competitive edge.

Former ECB president and prime minister of Italy, Mario Draghi, has written a report containing the obvious yet completely unnecessary conclusion that Europe has completely missed the boat on innovation and competitiveness. ‘Duh!’

Trackers and index funds are the logical choice for investing in US government bonds. Indeed, within long-term dollar bonds, the scope for active management is limited.

The revamped Eltif 2.0 framework, effective since January, is breathing new life into the sector, with Luxembourg playing a central role in this expansion of the market for European Long-Term Investment Funds.

As Europe seeks ways to address greenwashing, supervisors have proposed broad reforms to the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regime (SFDR). To enhance transparency, they propose stricter labelling. Together with the addition of a transition investing category, these changes could redefine sustainable investing.