Investment Officer Luxembourg

Growing signals suggest the Republicans could clinch a victory in today’s elections, a scenario generally regarded as optimal for investors. A Republican Sweep would mean lower taxes, deregulation, and increased government spending. However, the gap between the Republicans and Democrats remains too narrow to confidently predict a winner, raising the likelihood of a contentious, potentially escalating dispute over the results.

Luxembourg’s financial regulator CSSF has delivered a sharp warning to the country’s Investment Fund Managers (IFMs) regarding weaknesses in oversight practices when delegating portfolio management. The CSSF’s latest review highlights specific shortcomings, particularly in conflict of interest management and contingency planning, that could expose IFMs to regulatory risk and potential operational failures.

Flexible allocation funds typically have broad latitude to adjust their asset allocation. Additionally, their managers have the freedom to add alternative asset classes to the mix, with gold being a well-known option.

In our increasingly polarised society, political messages are more frequently being ‘hidden’ within economic analyses. With the US presidential election approaching, the number of these messages is growing, with the truth often bending slightly to accommodate them.

A narrow victory for Kamala Harris in the U.S. election could stir up significant market turbulence. Trump appears unwilling to concede, and his resistance might disrupt the current rally. It wouldn’t be the first time.

This week’s overview of industry appointments in and outside Luxembourg includes updates from State Street, Vistra, RBC Bluebay Asset Management, and Cyberr.

As the shift towards passive investing continues to reshape the asset management industry, active managers are exploring new strategies and product formats to maintain their edge. In an interview, Joseph Pinto, CEO of M&G Investments, outlined how the UK-based firm is adapting to the changing landscape.