Investing

Government bonds from countries that score high on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals have outperformed the global market-weighted bond index over the past three years.

Assets in gold ETFs and ETCs have more than doubled worldwide in just two years, rising from nearly 200 to 439 billion dollars. “In the current gold rally, these instruments have gained significant momentum.”

With inflation still running close to 3 percent, investors warn the Federal Reserve may be cutting into a “stagflation-lite” backdrop: weaker growth alongside stubborn price pressures.

Pension funds represent a strategic reservoir to finance innovation and the climate transition in Europe. Despite estimated assets of 2.7 to 3.55 trillion euro, their exposure to venture capital remains marginal: barely 0.1 percent of portfolios, according to a study published by European Women in VC, Pensions for Purpose and Venture Connections.

Sweden has encouraged 3.8 million households to start investing through a tax-friendly savings plan. Industry voices are calling on Europe to follow the Swedish example to help channel the 1,400 billion euro in household savings into investments.

German retail investors put nearly all equity fund inflows into exchange-traded funds in the first half of the year, cementing the country’s role as Europe’s largest ETF market.

European smallcaps have delivered significantly better results this year than their US counterparts. Yet smallcaps weighed on ING’s portfolio returns.

Robinhood, the Silicon Valley-based brokerage known for disrupting Wall Street with zero-commission trading and meme-stock mania, is making a bold play for Europe. Its strategy? Rewire equity markets using blockchain.

Against a wave of skepticism, Schroders is one of the few large firms openly championing continuation funds. Nils Rode, chief investment officer at Schroders Capital, argues the criticism is overblown. The funds, he says, typically offer about 25 percent faster liquidity, more predictable returns, and fees that are roughly half those of traditional buyouts.

Far fewer deals, much less fresh capital: private equity managers have had a particularly hard time in recent months. A shake-out seems likely, specialists believe. The sector has run into its limits.