Chart of the week: if the euro falls
Since Trump’s reelection as president of the United States, the world has been on edge. Geopolitical tensions are dominating the markets, and the role of the dollar is once again under discussion. Still, I find it difficult to translate that into the idea that this is the moment for the euro to step out of the greenback’s shadow. There are simply too many loose ends.
Morningstar: AXA vs Janus Henderson in global listed real estate
Listed real estate has become one of the most conspicuous laggards in global markets. After four consecutive calendar years of underperformance against the MSCI World, valuations now sit below their historical median relative to broader equities, according to Cohen & Steers. For long-term allocators, the question now is whether this reset offers a cyclical entry point or a structural repricing.
Why the ‘free’ ETF will not reach Europe
The European ETF market grew in January by a record 46.9 billion euro. In the shadow of that growth, a price war is taking place: mainstream ETFs are now being offered with an expense ratio of 0.03 percent. Will Europe soon welcome the “free” ETF, as in the US?
Investment Centre at ING not concerned about political tensions in France
Political nervousness is rising over the potential victory of the far right in the French presidential elections of April 2027, as that could lead to less European integration. But the Investment Centre at ING Belgium currently sees no reason to adjust its investment policy.
BLI - Banque de Luxembourg Investments launches new website
Luxembourg-based asset manager BLI - Banque de Luxembourg Investments has completely revamped its website. The extensive project was initiated around two years ago and was overseen by a core team of four.
The growing gap between earnings calls and stock prices in private credit
The already downward-trending stock prices of major US private credit firms took another hit this month amid the markdown of the software sector and concerns about AI. While executives are trying to contain those concerns, analysts say market participants may already be pricing in risks that could affect clients later.
‘High-quality corporate bonds are expensive, but still attractive’
Rising budget deficits have caused government bonds to lose much of their appeal as a safe haven for investors. High-quality corporate bonds have subsequently moved up the ranks. Has the rally run its course? Samuel Gruen, fixed income specialist at Rothschild & Co Asset Management, examined the European market from a historical perspective.
ETF Snapshot: A record month to kick off the new year
Strong start to 2026: January posted record net inflows, lifting EMEA ETF AUM to US$3.38tn. Value rotation continues with steady interest in non‑US exposures. Two new launches: EUR AT1 CoCo Bonds and Nasdaq‑100 Income Advantage ETFs.
Patchwork quilt of European taxes on wealth expands
With the Dutch House of Representatives (Tweede Kamerlid) passing the Actual Return Box 3 Act last week, the Netherlands will introduce “paper gains” as a basis for taxation starting in 2028. That is entirely unique in Europe. The patchwork of solutions Europe has devised for this tax will therefore gain a new addition.
Chart of the week: Olympic mindset
Here in Milan, during the Olympic Games, only one thing matters: winning. In geopolitics, the battle for victory has now been pushed to an unprecedented level. But whether we in rustic Europe are truly aware of that, I wonder.