RAIF

Registrations of new Reserved Alternative Investment Funds (Raifs) in Luxembourg slowed in April, continuing a decline from last December’s peak, reflecting higher interest rates and a market shift towards sub-funds under existing structures.

Among the recently registered AIFs in the CSSF’s AIF Identifiers dataset is “Yeldo Varedo S.C. SP”, a fund registered on behalf of Yeldo, an Italian/Swiss investment manager focusing on originating real estate deals. The firm has made use of Luxembourg structures such as the reserved alternative investment fund (Raif) since its inception. 

Registrations of reserved alternative investment funds took a very relaxed late-summer break during August, quietening to a level last seen early in the Raif product’s history — in January 2019. Only 15 new funds were registered during the month, according to data from Luxembourg Business Registers analysed by Investment Officer.

Fewer new reserved alternative investment funds are being registered in Luxembourg this year as investment managers are more cautious and VC fundraising has declined. Investor appetite appears reduced but has not disappeared. Dry powder is said to remain available among institutional investors in the alternatives market. 

Proceeds from Luxembourg registration tax for investment funds remained flat at 1.3 billion euro last year as a small decline at Ucits funds was offset by a steep increase in proceeds from reserved alternative investment funds, or Raifs. The development reflects the growing importance of alternative investment for Luxembourg, although this market remains .

Some 27 new Reserved Alternative Investment Funds, or Raifs, were registered at the Luxembourg Business Register during February, according to information made public at the end of the month.

The number brings the total new Raifs registered so far this year to 48 funds. That compares to 78 new Raifs that were created during the first two months of last year.

Luxembourg now is home to a total of 2173 Raifs. During 2022, a total of 472 new Raifs were registered. That is an average of 39 per month.

Swiss-based real estate investment manager Empira has sold a 16,000 square metre property project in Vienna for an undisclosed amount. The property had been held through a Luxembourg Reserved Alternative Investment Fund.

The Zug, Switzerland based firm had only bought the property two years ago. In a statement, Empira spoke about a “successful sale at attractive terms… exactly in line with the investment approach of this product”. 

Global investment solutions provider Russell Investments on Thursday announced the launch of a Luxembourg-domiciled global unlisted infrastructure fund. The open-ended private markets fund aims to invest in opportunities that address the need for new infrastructure solutions to meet evolving social and economic demands. 

A reserved alternative investment fund registered in Luxembourg turns out to have played a central role in the 165 million euro financing of the Palazzo Marini, Bill Gates’ new six-star hotel in the centre of Rome, close to the Trevi fountain. The team that supported the deal from Luxembourg was at law firm Dentons, with European Capital Partners SA as AIFM.

The long-term financing of the storage of German commercial radioactive waste is being provided in part through a Luxembourg Raif that was established earlier this year. Kenfo, the German sovereign wealth fund that established the fund, has given InvestmentOfficer.lu some more details about its investment purpose.