Esma faces uphill battle to emerge as European SEC
In an interview with Investment Officer, Esma chair Verena Ross outlined her vision and the significant challenges ahead as the regulatory body aims to become Europe’s equivalent to the US SEC.
Shipping slows as fuel costs surge, credit strain spreads
Global shipping is slowing as surging fuel costs and mounting risks in the Persian Gulf begin to strain the industry’s finances, forcing companies to cut speeds, seek emergency credit and rethink whether voyages are still viable.
Morningstar: Blackrock versus MFS Meridian in global small- and mid-cap equity
A strong start to the year for smallcaps does not guarantee outperformance in 2026.
Closed oysters, open ears: how Luxembourg families approach wealth transfer
When it comes to passing on assets, Luxembourg’s wealthy are focused on legacy rather than tax optimization, according to Ellen Brullard, chair of STEP Benelux and counsel at Arendt & Medernach. Anticipation is key, though it is more complex than it sounds.
Alternatives form cornerstone of BNP Paribas AM growth strategy
BNP Paribas Asset Management expects its alternatives division to grow by 5 to 6 percent annually and to consolidate its leading position in Europe. The asset manager said it is barely affected by the negative sentiment surrounding private credit.
Laffers lijntje
De signalen dat burgers en bedrijven bereid zijn om hun land te verlaten als de belastingdruk maar hoog genoeg wordt, nemen zienderogen toe. Daarmee duwt een reeds 50 jaar oude economische theorie, die lange tijd als nietszeggend hersenspinseltje werd weggezet, zich pontificaal in de schijnwerpers.
European banks aren’t overexposed to the Middle East, but their borrowers might be
European banks have little direct exposure to the Middle East, says European credit rating agency Scope. However, as tensions in the region threaten to push up energy prices and slow economic growth, the risks for lenders may emerge elsewhere: in the balance sheets of the companies they finance.
Transfers: Langham Hall, Aviva, DZ Privatbank, Trustmoore, Edmond de Rothschild, Pia Group
This week’s European transfers section includes updates from Langham Hall, Aviva, DZ Privatbank, Trustmoore, Edmond de Rothschild and Pia.
Loyens & Loeff: clarified treatment of Target Funds under Eltif 2.0
Sebastiaan Hooghiemstra and Gabriël Storm at Loyens & Loeff examine the latest EU-level guidance on Target Funds under ELTIF 2.0 and its implications for ELTIF managers and product structuring going forward.
The rise of AI may make smallcap outperformance harder
Machine learning is increasingly used to identify inefficiencies in small- and midcap markets. But as more investors adopt the same technology, it could make generating alpha more difficult.