Mandates lose ground to funds
Assets managed through discretionary mandates have expanded more slowly in Europa over the past ten years than assets held in investment funds. That is the conclusion of Efama, the European fund industry association, in its latest sector review.
Bankhaus Metzler expects 10 percent profit for German equities in 2026
Bankhaus Metzler is preparing for another year of strong performance in German equities. The nearly 20 percent rise in the DAX this year will likely not be matched in 2026, said equity strategist Uwe Hohmann, but an increase of 10 percent is within reach.
Private credit’s real risk rests with the managers
In private credit, institutional investors face their biggest risk not in the asset class itself, but in selecting the general partner. Interviews with private market insiders suggest the real danger is a lack of scrutiny of managers.
Resilience in financial markets the surprise of 2025
Many fund houses mark Liberation Day—the day president Trump announced sharply higher US trade tariffs—as the standout moment of 2025, according to the Investment Officer Outlook Survey 2026. But what surprised asset managers even more was how quickly markets carried on in the months that followed, as if nothing had happened.
Simplification push by ESMA risks raising costs before relief
The European Union’s push to simplify financial reporting faces a complex reality, with industry leaders warning that streamlining requirements will likely hike costs before delivering relief.
New generation of billionaires shifts to external management
Europe is consolidating its position as the global hub for inherited wealth, but the way that capital is managed is undergoing a radical modernization.
Building nature-positive portfolios
Alternative assets offer valuable qualities for creating nature-positive, well-diversified portfolios, providing both direct and systemic impact. In this Sustainability in Action we demonstrate how this can work in practice.
Chart of the week: big fireworks in 2026?
It’s December, and so the focus is shifting to 2026. As always, this comes with a wave of outlooks that are, unfortunately, often already partly outdated by the time the new year begins. Still, a dynamic is now unfolding that could lead to quite a bit of fireworks next year.
Morningstar: Capital Group versus Dodge & Cox in global flexible bonds
Global flexible bond strategies cover a wide range of different approaches. Investors should tread them with caution.
Van Lanschot Kempen turns to Alto for operational scalability
Van Lanschot Kempen is upgrading its investment infrastructure by adopting Amundi’s Alto platform, a move designed to simplify workflows and bring front- and middle-office functions closer together, the Dutch wealth manager told Investment Officer.