Luxembourg lawyer fined for litany of AML failings
The Luxembourg bar association ia applying a form of shock therapy to lawyers taking a laissez-faire view of anti-money laundering and terrorist financing laws, but its disciplinary body has nevertheless found a loophole allowing it to continue this country’s tradition of not publicly identifying the guilty.
The overstated impact of AI on productivity growth
If you’re a regular on platforms like X or LinkedIn, you’ve likely encountered those attention-grabbing posts proclaiming, “If you’re not using AI, you’re left behind” or “My boss thinks I’m an AI genius, but it’s because of this…” followed by a link to some Substack or website. Such posts, often cheap advertising, may overstate the productivity boost from Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Forward rates: the unchallenged prophet
Predicting future interest rates is a favorite activity among economists and strategists, but Dimensional Fund Advisors takes a unique stance. “Forward rates are the best guide when positioning bond portfolios for higher expected returns,” they assert, dismissing the predictions of journalists and other ECB/Fed watchers.
Decoding Xi’s ‘Chinese Dream’
China, poised to reclaim its title of a superior civilization, faces scrutiny from fund managers over structural imbalances, demographic challenges, geopolitical risks, and the leadership style of President Xi Jinping. Let’s delve into these concerns.
Esma makes cyber risk top EU supervisory priority for 2025
The European Securities and Markets Authority, or Esma, on Thursday announced that from 2025, cyber risk and digital resilience in Europe’s securities sector will take precedence alongside ESG reporting in terms of overarching priorities for the supervisors in EU member states.
Roadblocks in asset management software procurement
The typical reasons that prompt asset managers to acquire new software often include recommendations from regulators following an onsite visit or the realisation that their current resources cannot efficiently handle projected workloads. These decisions are predominantly reactive, seldom proactive, writes Gregory Kennedy in his latest column for Investment Officer Luxembourg.
Capita Group | Whatever happened to the recession - and does it matter for bonds?
Despite interest rates being hiked to their highest level since the mid-2000s and a mini crisis in the US banking sector, a recession has, so far, been avoided.
ETFs for higher-yielding alternatives to traditional fixed income exposures
Fixed income yields have risen substantially since central banks began acting to combat inflation. Here are some alternative, potentially higher yielding or higher quality opportunities, that you can access with ETFs.
Transfer Thursday: Alumia, WMP, Newton
This week’s overview of transfers, appointments and promotions includes updates from Alumia, Wealth Management Partners and Newton Investment Management.
Bond market revival brings back the vigilantes
Bonds are now recognised as a legitimate investment alternative, long overdue for acknowledgment. Peter De Coensel, CEO of Degroof Petercam Asset Management (DPAM) since 2021 and a seasoned bond market specialist, discusses this resurgence in value.
De Coensel highlights a dramatic shift in bond markets, noting a return to valuations not seen in nearly two decades, occurring in three distinct phases.