Asset Servicing

This week’s overview of transfers and appointments includes news from GSK Stockmann, Santander Asset Management, Deutsche Boerse, and HSBC.

Luxembourg’s Blockchain Law IV boosts DLT for securities and introduces the ‘control agent,’ offering new possibilities for fund distribution and innovation.

Demonstrating the impact of sustainable investment remains a significant challenge, according to participants involved in producing a joint report by the Luxembourg Sustainable Finance Initiative (LSFI) and PwC Luxembourg.

Avoid European equities and steer clear of most bonds. According to major investment houses, this is the key strategy to prevent issues in investment portfolios next year.

Luxembourg is undergoing a significant reform of its corporate accounting framework with the introduction of draft bill no. 8286 on 28 July 2023 (the “New Draft Law”).

VanEck, the US-based pioneer of exchange-traded funds (ETFs), has recently launched VanEck Direct, a new app that enables the company to sell investment products directly to retail investors—bypassing banks and brokers.

Some macroeconomic indicators carry more weight than others. But does this mean investors always pay attention to the right ones? I doubt it. That’s why, in this column, I focus on a once-reliable recession predictor whose effectiveness is fading, and another indicator that actually determines recessions—but is largely overlooked.

The European automotive sector is going through a challenging period. Troubling developments have put pressure on the stock prices of European car manufacturers, leading to a decline in their significance within the global equity market. This comes at a time when the weighting of the global automotive industry in the worldwide stock index is at its highest level in over two decades.

The number of candidates taking CFA exams has declined again, according to the latest figures. At its peak in 2019, over 270,000 individuals registered, but the most recent figure stalled at 163,000. As is often the case, there are likely multiple explanations for this trend.

Most fund houses believe the US stock market offers the best opportunities for high returns next year, despite already high valuations. In contrast, the outlook for Europe is bleak.