Asset Owner

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).

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.

This week’s overview of transfers, appointments, and other career news in the fund and asset management community in and around Luxembourg includes updates from Bank Lombard Odier, European Depositary Bank and Blackrock.

The largest maturity date in Belgium’s financial history. That is how Peter Adams, CEO of ING Belgium, describes today’s expiry of the much-debated one-year state note, on 4 September.

Partners Group, the Swiss-based private markets investment firm that is also a major player in Luxembourg, has reported a significant decline in performance fees for the first half of 2024 because investment exits are being postponed and becoming more difficult.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has introduced new regulations requiring fund managers to disclose their investment holdings on a monthly basis, replacing the current quarterly reporting schedule.

Index rules and procedures can create a significant divergence between overall market performance and the returns that investors in index funds actually receive.

Technological dominance is the new geopolitical battleground. Companies and countries alike must embrace artificial intelligence if they don’t want to be left behind. This is part six in Investment Officer’s seven-part special series on geopolitics and investing.

The fortunes of corporate bonds seem heavily reliant on a ‘soft landing’ scenario, given the tight spreads. However, recent history reminds us that spreads can easily double during a recession.

This week’s overview includes updates from the EBRD, Degroof Petercam, Solidum and Lighthouse Canton.