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Every now and then, my development team informs me that they need to take a pause from future developments to refactor code. Refactoring is a process where they restructure existing computer code without altering its external behavior.

Over time, small incremental changes to the software’s code base degrade maintainability, readability, and performance. The purpose of refactoring is to enhance code performance without affecting existing functionality, as a clean code base facilitates the addition of new features.

Luxembourg continues to dominate the global cross-border fund registration landscape, holding a 54.6 percent market share despite a slight 0.4 percent drop in 2023, according to PwC Luxembourg’s latest Global Fund Distribution Poster. The 24th edition of this annual posted provides an in-depth analysis of the fund distribution trends across over 40 countries.

In a world inundated with political polarisation and partisan scepticism, it’s easy to get lost in the noise surrounding climate change, green-washing, over-regulation and what some may dismiss as mere ‘wokeness.’ Yet, amidst this tumultuous backdrop, a quiet revolution has been taking place within the investment industry. 

Over the past decade, responsible investment funds have emerged as a steady force, defying all the sceptics, and maintaining market share while experiencing a surge in assets. 

As European skies darken with the storm clouds of geopolitical tensions, particularly the shadow cast by Russia’s war against Ukraine, a stark dilemma has emerged on the horizon for the continent’s asset managers. This quandary, deeply rooted in the ethos of sustainable investment principles, challenges the very fabric of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) advocacy. The question that now looms large is whether investments in the defence industry can be harmonised with the steadfast commitment to sustainability.

Investment funds witnessed a marginal recovery in 2023, following the tumultuous year of 2022. This revival, however, was achieved amidst mounting challenges, it became clear at the 2024 Trends Investment Summit in Brussels on Wednesday.

Eurozone finance ministers have put forth a five-year blueprint to forge a robust Capital Markets Union (CMU) in what they see as an “ambitious” move to enhance private capital flow into Europe and underpin Europe’s costly shift to a sustainable and digital economy. 

Ireland’s competitive tax policies and workforce have attracted numerous fund promoters, propelling the country to become the EU’s fastest-growing and second-largest fund domicile. Despite these impressive achievements, Ireland faces challenges in overtaking Luxembourg as the leading destination for funds.

In an industry where performance is king, KKR has thrown down the gauntlet, claiming a victory in the long game of investment over the iconic Berkshire Hathaway fund. This bold assertion by the 553 billion dollar private equity behemoth not only challenges the storied legacy of Warren Buffett. It also sparks a fiery debate on the true measures of success in the high-stakes world of private investments.

The anticipation for future outperformance plays an increasingly pivotal role in Morningstar’s methodology for bestowing its annual awards upon investment funds. 

Amidst heightened regulatory scrutiny, Luxembourg’s private investment fund landscape experiences a transformative shift in valuation paradigms, a panel discussion on Wednesday made clear.