EFG, Edmond de Rothschild signal accelerating consolidation
Separate moves by Swiss-based EFG and Edmond de Rothschild highlight the intensifying competition among firms seeking scale and specialisation in a rapidly evolving sector.
People moves: Hottinger, BIL, Marguerite, P1, EFG, Colesco
This week’s update on executive moves in and around Luxembourg includes senior appointments at Edmond de Rothschild, P1 Investment Services, EFG International, and Blackrock, alongside key promotions at Marguerite and Colesco Capital.
Germany votes: a return to the 1930s or stability of the 1990s?
Around 60 million Germans are eligible to vote in Sunday’s national parliamentary elections. For decades, German elections have been predictable and uneventful, but this time, much more is at stake—far beyond just the composition of the Bundestag.
‘Animal spirits’
The Bund in Shanghai is a one-and-a-half-kilometre waterfront promenade along the Yellow River. With its luxury restaurants and Italian racing cars, the view of Pudong from Bar Rouge on the Bund resembles the capitalist pinnacle of the communist utopia.
US inflation figures pressure private equity stocks – history suggests buying
US inflation rose to 3 percent in January, exceeding economists’ expectations of 2.9 percent, reinforcing arguments for a more cautious approach to interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve.
Frédéric Vonner (PwC) on streamlining ESG-regulations: “More attention to transition investing needed”
The European Commission has pledged to simplify regulations for sustainable funds this year. Frédéric Vonner, sustainability expert at PwC Luxembourg, hopes that transition investments will gain more recognition in the process.
Chart of the week: Powell vs Trump, interest versus rhetoric
A beneficial side effect of President Trump is that we can trash all incoming macro figures without further analysis. That saves time and provides space to focus on what will almost certainly be a titanic battle: Powell vs Trump.
Masterpieces or market assets? The fine line between art and commerce
With some exceptions, investors have tended to view art as a niche asset class—volatile, illiquid, and largely the domain of collectors rather than institutional portfolios. But what if the real opportunity lies not only in expensive paintings and sculptures but also in the broader creative economy?
Morningstar: Robeco versus Blackrock in Financials
Investors have plenty of choices. The financial services sector encompasses a diverse universe from which portfolio investors can make their selections. Traditionally, banks and insurers dominate, but companies involved in payments, stock exchanges, capital markets, and asset management are also part of the broad range of investment opportunities.
‘Fantastic returns on cat bonds’
The increased likelihood of natural disasters due to climate change does not make investing in catastrophe bonds (cat bonds) any less attractive. On the contrary, experts say that due to the rising capital needs of reinsurers and higher premiums, returns can actually increase.