Mike Gordon

European asset-backed securities (ABS) are trading at historically attractive levels compared to similarly-rated corporate and government bonds, paradoxically because many see these instruments in connection with the 2008 financial crisis, explained Matthew Wardle, who makes the case for investment-grade structured credit in his role as M&G’s ABS portfolio manager.

Luxembourg’s financial regulator has issued a relatively small fine for a class of transgression with huge implications for the industry: valuations of funds, in particular for unlisted alternative investments.

Luxembourg’s financial watchdog, the CSSF, has made important changes to its rules for valuations of investment funds, the first in two decades. While many things stay the same, some key updates—like lowering limits for money market funds and adding new checks before making investment decisions—are aimed at tightening control and providing clearer guidance.

Luxembourg has been outpaced in the development of exchange-traded funds by Ireland. However, steps have been taken to improve Luxembourg’s offer. Investment Officer has spoken with people involved in the recent launch of a new Luxembourg-domiciled Ucits-compliant collateralised loan obligation (CLO) exchange-traded fund (ETF), which benefits from two-year-old changes to Luxembourg’s securitisation law.

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.

Luxembourg’s financial regulator CSSF plans to make public an online register of European long-term investment funds (Eltifs) later in in July. The register will be updated every month with new registrations.

Investors seeking to achieve real change through their impact investment will find that the passive approach isn’t as effective as an active one, explained John William Olsen (photo), fund manager of the M&G (Lux) Positive Impact fund and the Global Sustain Paris Aligned Fund.

Despite the rightward tilt of the recent European parliamentary elections, Quintet Private Bank’s chief investment officer is talking up what seems like unexpected good news for Europe.

European ambitions to boost capital flow through increased retail investment, exemplified by the European Long-Term Investment Fund (Eltif), hinge on tax incentives to encourage widespread savings, essential for success.

Luxembourg fund vehicles are increasingly being used to finance international independent film production.