Investment Officer Luxembourg

Bonds issued by some of the world’s poorest countries have enjoyed a robust start to 2024, despite the backdrop of elevated US interest rates.

The European Central Bank’s (ECB) decision to cut its benchmark interest rate for the first time since 2019 underscores a strategic but cautious approach to managing persistent inflation in the Eurozone. “The ECB did not pre-commit to a specific path for further interest rate cuts,” Ulrike Kastens, Europe economist at Europe’s third-biggest asset manager DWS, told investors.

This week’s overview of transfers, appointments, promotions and other people news includes updates from Robeco, Apex-subsidiary Holtera, and UBS. 

Erik van de Weele

Erik van de Weele (photo) has been appointed to join Robeco’s sales team covering Belgium and Luxembourg. In his role as director of institutional and wholesale business development, Van de Weele is responsible for a broad range of institutional and wholesale clients in the region.

The latest CSSF data reveals a decline in new registrations of Luxembourg alternative investment funds since the first quarter of this year. However, reserved alternative investment funds continue to demonstrate resilience, driven by recent legislative updates and steady demand.

Unlike in the United States and Australia, greenwashing in Europe’s financial sector remains largely unpunished, even though existing legislation allows national regulators to take action against firms that mislead investors.

As the US presidential election nears, the bond market braces for a potential resurgence of the “bond vigilantes.” Investment Officer spoke to the man who coined the term, Edward Yardeni.

While economic growth and growth expectations for the US are leveling off slightly, the European economy appears to be strengthening. A unique moment lies ahead: the European Central Bank (ECB) may pre-empt the Federal Reserve (Fed) with rate cuts.

There have been many criticisms of capitalism in recent years. These were mainly attempts to get rid of neoliberalism that relied on the solving power of the free market.

In practice, many neoliberals have distanced themselves from the idea of a “natural” free market. For these neoliberals, the market exists thanks to a government that regulates property rights, makes provisions for international trade and also fuels the competitive spirit. Everything and everyone has to compete with each other, even in terms of utilities and the welfare state.