Investissement

Net inflows for Ucits investment funds in Europe more than doubled in January when compared to a month earlier as investors regained trust in the economy and hoped that the interest rate peak was in sight. Money market funds and alternatives funds however experienced a surge in outflows.

Data reported by the European Fund and Asset Management Association, Efama, showed that net inflows for Ucits funds rose to 43 billion euro in January, compared to 16 billion in December of last year.

The Federal Reserve still raised interest rates by 25 basis points despite the banking woes. But not because it has high confidence that all will be well. Moreover, by not pausing once, it has again misled the market.

The European Union on Monday published the text of its updated regulation on long-term investment funds, known as Eltif 2.0, in its Official Journal, clearing the final hurdle before its implementation from January next year.

The publication was expected following the adoption by the European Parliament in February. Luxembourg, as a leading investment funds hub in Europe, is keen to develop itself as an international hub for this new type of investment funds which will open up alternatives and private equity also to non-institutional investors.

L’année 2022 a été turbulente. Les investisseurs ont cherché à se protéger de toutes les péripéties qui ont troublé le marché, mais ils ont eu beaucoup de mal à trouver refuge. Les compagnies pétrolières et les acteurs parapétroliers ont été l’un des rares secteurs à afficher d’excellentes performances. Les métaux précieux ont aussi tiré leur épingle du jeu, même si les performances ont été disparates ; c’est surtout en euros que les gains ont été les plus nets.

Little is more volatile than financial markets. One minute equity markets are stumbling over yet another mountain of additional interest rate hikes by central banks, the next we are waiting to see if those same central banks need to act to prevent another banking crisis.

Luxembourg is strongly enthusiastic about the prospects of the new Eltif 2.0 regime as experts here point to untapped demand for such a product in Europe. While acknowledging the oft-mentioned concerns about the lack of liquidity for retail investors, there was optimism at a recent investment event hosted by Clifford Chance that solutions could be found. Investors though would have to be open-minded, and some in-built tensions need to be addressed.

Financial service provider Apex Group on Thursday said it has been appointed by NewVest to provide administration services for the firm’s inaugural Private Equity 50 Index Fund, also known as PE 50, which is backed up by a blockchain. 

Europe’s biggest asset manager Amundi on Tuesday said it does not believe that the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and the ensuing US banking crisis is an event that poses a systemic threat.

In a note to investors, Amundi’s top investment team, including Monica Defend (photo), Vincent Mortier and Matteo Germano, noted that the European banking sector “is in far better shape” than in the 2008 financial crisis. Nevertheless, they urged investors to watch out for areas of vulnerability. 

Laurent Cooreman on Monday was appointed as chief executive officer at Belair House, the real-estate focused family office unit of Banque Internationale à Luxembourg, also known as BIL.