Investing

It’s a question that concerns every asset manager: to what extent are defense and weapons stocks compatible with the sustainable principles of ESG? A joint report by the labeling organizations Forum Ethibel (Belgium) and LuxFLAG (Luxembourg) doesn’t provide a definitive answer but does outline the many dilemmas involved.

Washington’s revived protectionism is putting fresh pressure on the Federal Reserve. Investors are once again bracing for trade disruption, rising inflation, and slower U.S. growth. For now, Asia is taking the first hit.

The EU’s plan for a Savings and Investment Union risks falling flat unless it completes the banking union first, warns Amundi’s Mahmood Pradhan.

The U.S. has dropped plans for a controversial tax provision that would have targeted foreign investors, but tax experts say the risk of fiscal retaliation hasn’t gone away.

A powerful coalition of European financial trade associations has urged the European Commission not to adopt a U.S.-style trading framework under its flagship Savings and Investments Union (SIU) initiative.

It’s hard to speak of a favorable investment climate when companies are leaving. While the shine may have worn off American exceptionalism, Europe’s problems remain unresolved as long as European companies continue relocating their headquarters abroad.

While Europe continues to attract investors seeking attractive valuations and macroeconomic stability, M&G sees a fundamental shift occurring in the US capital markets: 75 percent of credit growth is now taking place through the private market—a structural transformation that is only accelerating.

Geopolitical risk returns as markets weigh Iran escalation, energy disruption and central bank caution following U.S. attacks on nuclear sites.

With traditional market dynamics breaking down and foreign holdings of U.S. assets at record highs, US fund houses Doubleline Capital and Pimco both warn that investors can no longer rely on the old dollar playbook.

The tariffs announced by President Trump are accelerating an already ongoing reshoring trend. Companies are being forced to revise their strategies—and so are investors. Intermediaries stand to benefit, as do warehouse providers. According to Christoph Berger of DNCA (Luxembourg), investors would do well to focus on countries gaining ground in the reorganization of supply chains, but without letting import tariffs be their sole guide.