Investing

There is an unwavering demand on the debt as well as on the equity side of private markets, writes Martin Groos, member of the management board at Universal Investment Luxembourg.

In the wake of a sturdy first half characterised by ebbing inflation, stellar tech-driven stock market performance, and soaring bond yields, economists and investment strategists predict a reduced recession risk for the latter half of 2023, a survey by Natixis Investment Managers shows. “Recession is still a real possibility, but most expect a softer landing,” said Mabrouk Chetouane, head of global market strategy at Natixis IM.

The European Central Bank is set to make headlines again on Thursday as it is widely expected to raise its benchmark interest rates by another 25 basis points. The financial world is keenly watching to gauge the ECB’s plans for September and beyond.

As pressure mounts on investors to allocate larger portions of their portfolios to alternatives, Stuart Dunbar, a partner and director at Edinburgh-based investment manager Baillie Gifford, stresses the need for careful consideration. He highlights the limited supply of high-quality opportunities as a critical factor. “We can’t just rush into the alternatives.”

Goldman Sachs Asset Management has successfully raised over 200 million dollars with its inaugural European Long Term Investment Fund, Private Markets Eltif 2023. The fund offers individual investors direct access to investments in the private market and is managed by Goldman Sachs Asset Management, a leading global investment firm overseeing over 450 billion dollars in alternative assets.

The number of new reserved alternative investment funds registered in Luxembourg during a single month in June showed its first rebound since January. Issuance levels though are well below their historic averages. Economic and geopolitical issues get the blame, along with difficulties in raising institutional investment money. Still, faith in the vehicle remains strong, with private equity specialists expecting a further recovery in Raif registrations.

Globally active Accelex has set up in Luxembourg to sell its next-generation software as a service solution aimed exclusively at private markets because of the country’s leadership in private assets. The UK-headquartered company sees itself playing a key role in the maturation of the private assets market, including through the increased availability of such funds to retail investor clientele.

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. 

I’m a big fan of the Bank of America Global Fund Manager Survey. Firstly, because it pertains to the positioning and perspectives of real investors managing significant amounts of money. And secondly, because Bank of America tries to translate the responses given in the survey into signals and even investment decisions—something often overlooked by many “storytellers.”

The artificial intelligence revolution is in full swing, and Nvidia’s recent financial performance is a testament to this transformative era. For investors as well as businesses and policymakers, the dawn of generative AI has opened the doors to a new era.