P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; } According to a study by PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC) cited by Reuters, private equity firms active on the European market are confident in the evolution of the sector in 2014. The study of 232 private equity firms finds that 60% of them are betting on rising markets, and that 70% expect investment to rise. But although financing conditions have improved, respondents are not hoping to reach pre-crisis levels this year, says Steve Roberts, director of privte equity at PwC Germany.

The US firm First Trust Advisors, which last year launched its commercial offensive in Europe with its London-based entity First trust Global Portfolios, would like to accelerate its growth on the continent. The three UCITS format products launched in early April 2013, three ETFs dedicated to US large caps, emerging markets and British equities, respectively, posted inflows of about USD150m in less than one year. Assets under management in Europe currently total USD250m.“The marked interest of investors in our ETF products is related to the simplicity of our approach. We bet on fundamentals,” Martin Molère, head of sales at First Trust for continental Europe, said earlier this week during a visit to Paris.Smart ETFs from First Trust, including the AlphaDEX ETF family, use a proprietary methodology which analyses growth factors (price appreciation over three, six and twelve months; growth of sales and share price/sales ratio) and value factors (accounting price/value ratio, share price/cash flow ratio and returns on owners’ equity) in stock-picking. “For the most part, we select the least expensive shares and those which have the most momentum,” says Martin Molère. He adds that all ETFs on offer from First Trust are physical ETFs which do not engage in securities lending.The performance of ETFs on offer since Spring 2013 is flattering. From its launch on 9 April 2013 until 21 February 2014, the First Trust US Large Cap Core AlphaDEX Ucitsd ETF has posted outperformance of 3.5 percentage points compared with its benchmark index. The First Trust EM AlphaDEX Ucits ETF lags 80 basis points behind its benchmark, but the First Trust UK AlphaDEX Ucits ETF has earned outperformance of 13 percentage points over its benchmark.Assets under management at the First Trust group have risen from about USd70bn as of the end of 2012 to USD90bn currently, but a considerable part of that growth is due to ETFs, which now account for USD22bn, compared with USD11bn as of the end of 2012.International assets now represent only USD500m. Molère plans to increase the European presence of First Trust. The ETFs already launched by First Trust are now available in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and France, the largest continental European market for First Trust. But there is now serious talk of launching an offensive on the Swiss and Benelux markets. At least two new ETFs are coming, one based on the euro zone, and one on US small and midcaps; the euro zone strategy may be launched by summer. Personnel at the London offices have increased in a short period of time from 10 to 20, three quarters of whom are specialised in distribution.

P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; } Strong turbulence on emerging markets has claimed a new victim. Avantium Investment Management (IM), a hedge fund specialised in emerging markets and launched for former Deutsche Bank employees, has closed its doors after only two and a half years of activity, eFinancial News reports. The firm has had to close its doors after posting large redemptions to investors who lost appetite in emerging markets, although no sums have been disclosed. At its launch in October 2011, Avantium had about USD200m in assets. These assets rose to USD800m at their highest in May 2013. Since then, the firm has been hit hard by decisions by investors to withdraw their money even though the current size of the fund is difficult to evaluate.

P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; } The British asset management firm Ingenious Asset Management (AM) which has GBP1.4bn in assets, has appointed Andrew Waldren to the newly-created position of chief operating officer, Fundweb reports. Waldren had previously served at J. Stern & Co, after serving in a variety of roles at Taylor Young Investment Management and BNP Paribas.

P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; } Henderson Global Investors “imaking up for a handicap” according to Les Echos, after “trying years” in the eyes of its CEO, Andrew Formica, related to the integration of acquisitions of New Star Am in 2009 and Gartmore in 2011. The director is now aiming for organic growth “above all” at a pace of 5% to 10% growth per year for five years, which may allow the group, if the evolution of the markets allows it, to double the size of its assets (which now total GBP70bn) by 2018. Henderson GI has not ruled out other growth operations. “We are still seeking acquisition opportunities,” Formica admits, though he is now interested in strengthening expertise in US equities or emerging market and Asian fixed income. The asset management firm, now present in 15 countries, is not planning any new openings this year.

P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; } HSBC Private Bank has appointed two global co-heads for its investment strategy. Olivier Pacton will be based in Hong Kong and Jean-Christophe Gerard will be based in London, Asian Investor reports. They replace Nigel Webber, who left his role as chief investment officer at the end of 2013. The introduction of the dual positions seeks to respond to the evolution of private banking worldwide and is expected to allow for better proximity to the client. Pacton was previously responsible for investment strategy for the Asia-Pacific region, while Gerard, who had been based in Geneva, was responsible for investment strategy for Europe. They are now responsible for selection of ideas as well as investment products and services which will be operated by HSBC Private Bank. They are at the head of a team of 500 people worldwide, based in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

The Hedge Fund Association (HFA) announced on Monday the results of the 2014/2015 board of director’s election. HFA members in the U.S., Europe, Asia, Australia, Latin America and the Cayman Islands elected 15 leaders to work on behalf of the global hedge fund industry, including over 10,000 hedge funds in the U.S. and abroad which collectively manage in excess of USD2.8 trillion in assets, institutional and high-net worth investors, and industry service providers.The 2014/2015 HFA Board of Directors are:President: Mitch Ackles, Hedge Fund PR Vice President: Ron Geffner, Sadis & Goldberg Chairman: David Friedland, Magnum U.S. Investments Representing Hedge Fund Allocators:David Friedland, Magnum U.S. Investments Evan H. Katz, Crawford Ventures April Rudin, The Rudin Group Michael Scanlon, AiCE Group - Silver Leaf Partners Don Steinbrugge, Agecroft Partners Representing Hedge Fund Managers:Tony Acquadro, BTS Asset Management Joseph DeMatteo Sr., JDM Capital Corp. Frederick Pye, Landry Investment Management George Schultze, Schultze Asset Management John Taylor, White Oak Global Advisors Representing Hedge Fund Service Providers:Mitch Ackles, Hedge Fund PR Joshua Blumenthal, Rothstein Kass Ron Geffner, Sadis & Goldberg Richard Heller, Thompson Hine Kislay Shah, McGladrey

P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; } The Spanish asset management firm A&G has launched a UCITS hedge fund, domiciled in Luxembourg, which is able to invest via various asset classes and investment funds, Citywire Global reports. The new vehicle, entitled A&G Global Sicav – Killorglin Fund, was launched in mid-February, and is managed by Sergio Navarro Fernandez. It may invest directly or indirectly in investment funds, funds of funds, equities, bonds, and structured products. A&G, founded in 1987, manages over EUR4bn in assets under management for families and institutional investors. The Spanish firm, based in Madrid, is 72% owned by EFG International.

P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; } Kames Capital is adding to its range of multi-asset class products. The British asset management firm, based in Lnodon and Edinburgh, with EUR64bn in assets under management, has announced the launch of a new diversified fund. The vehicle, entitled Kames Diversified Income Fund, will officially be on the market from 27 February, and will invest in investment grade and high yield bonds, international and British equities oriented to income and dividends, and lastly, alternative asset classes. The fund will be managed by Vincent McEntegart, a member of the multi-asset class board at Kames. The fund will distribute revenues every month, with a return objective of 5%. At its launch, the fund will have the following allocation: 21% of the portfolio will invest in high yield bonds, 19% in investment grade bonds, 23% in international equities, 14% in British equities, 22% in alternative assets, and 1% in cash.

P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; } The London-based boutique Heptagon Capital has added to its Irish platform with the launch of two global equity funds, Citywire Global reveals. These bring the product range from the firm to five funds, with assets under management of USD2.8bn. The two new strategies offered to European investors are the Oppenheimer Global Focus Equity and the Kopernik Global All-Cap Equity, both of which are outsourced to third-party firms.

P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; } ETF Securities and E Fund Management, based in Hong Kong, are preparing to launch a UCITS ETF on the MSCI China A index, ETF.com Editors reports. Source, in partnership with CSOP, and db X-trackers with Harvest already offer ETFs of Chinese A-class equities. Following regulatory clearance, the details of the new product will be released later in first quarter.

P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; } The Swiss sustainable development research specialist RepRisk has published a study of environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues in four emerging markets: Mexico, Indonesia, Nigeria and Turkey. Jim O’Neill at Goldman Sachs, who popularized the acronym BRIC in reference to Brazil, Russia, India and China, now uses the term MINT to refer to these four countries. The countries offer potential for considerable growth, but non-negligible risks are associated with this potential, particularly as concerns sustainable development. The risk indicator (RRI) launched by RepRisk in December 2013, which concentrates on ESG risks and risks associated with investment, deontology and reputation, currently stands at 57 out of 100 for Mexico, off a peak of 58 in December 2013. The RRI index for Turkey, which reached 59 in April 2013, now stands at 51, while Nigeria and Indonesia now stand at 59, compared with 64 in April 2013.

P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; } Aletti Gestielle Sgr and Unicasim have launched the Crescita Impresa Italia fund, which will invest in Italian corporate bonds with target total revenues of EUR10m to EUR250m, Funds People Italia reports. This represents a universe of 20,000 companies, taking into acount those with a rating equal to or higher than investment grade. The duration of the fund is seven years, and the subscription period is 12 months, with an objective of assets of EUR100m. The closed fund is reserved for institutional investors.

P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; } The China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) has merged eight departments and four have been created in order to keep up with rapid developments in capital markets and the asset management sector, Asian Investor reports. The new departments are: bond investment, innovative activities, private investment funds and combating market abuses. Meanwhile, the two departments dedicated to supervising publicly-traded companies have been merged, as well as the two departments dedicated to overseeing futures markets. Also merged are the two divisions dedicated to supervising funds and intermediaries, and the two divisions overseeing initial public offerings and growth businesses. The regulator has not provided a specific timetable for the effective implementation of the restructuring, simply stating that it will try to release details about the responsibilities of each new department “as soon as possible.”

P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; } Bordier & Cie is opening to new horizons. The Swiss private bank has announced the opening of a new office in the United Kingdom, with the assistance of Berry Asset Management, Citywire reports. Pending the approval of the FCA, the British regulator, Bordier & Cie UK is planning to open in London in the next six months. Bordier formed a strategic alliance with Berry AM in 2001, and now the Swiss group controls 70% of shares in Berry AM, while the remainder are controlled by employees. The new Bordier entity, called Bordier & Cie UK, will include two units: the pre-existing Berry AM activity in London, which will serve existing clients, while a new team will be recruited to build an international division. Jamie Berry and Jamie MacLeod, respectively chairman and CEO of Berry AM, will serve as chairman and CEO of Bordier & Cie UK.

J.P. Morgan Asset Management has hired James Peagam as European head for Global Insurance Solutions. He will be responsible for leading the business in building and developing investment strategies and solutions for European insurers and reinsurers. Based in London and reporting to Matt Malloy, head of global insurance solutions, Peagam will be responsible for the European business of the 35-strong global team of professionals dedicated to working with insurance companies. Prior to joining J.P. Morgan Asset Management, Peagam was Head of Sales Strategy for the EMEA Financial Institutions Group at BlackRock. Prior to this he held insurance roles at The Royal Bank of Scotland/ABN AMRO Bank in the US and EMEA and is a qualified engineer.

P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; } According to Citywire Wealth Managers, three senior managers specialised in fixed income and based in London are preparing to leave Invesco. They are Stuart Campbell, Phillip Ridge and Lindsay Missen.

The California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) has hired Wylie A. Tollette as the pension fund’s Chief Operating Investment Officer (COIO). Tollette takes over the position previously held by Janine Guillot, who left CalPERS in July 2013. Tollette will start as COIO on March 31.Tollette joins CalPERS from Franklin Templeton Investments, where he has worked for more than 19 years and most recently served as Senior Vice President for Portfolio Analysis and Investment Risk Management. Prior to joining Franklin Templeton, he held positions at American Savings Bank and KPMG Peat Marwick. As COIO, Tollette will lead the business and operations functions of the Investment Office. He will provide leadership with matters related to investment policy, and will manage investment compliance, operational risk and audit-related functions. He will serve as a member of the Investment Office senior management team, as well as the CalPERS executive staff, where a key focus of his will be to continue the ongoing enhancement of the CalPERS investment process and risk management infrastructure.

P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; } According to Investment Week, Aviva Investors, an affiliate of the eponymous insurer, is planning to launch a low-volatility absolute return fund as part of its initiative to simplify its product range since the arrival of Euan Munro as CEO. The objective will be to compete with the Global Asset Return Strategies (GARS) multi-asset class team at Standard Life Investments, for good reason. Before joining Aviva Investors, Munro was one of the founding members of the GARS team, and as head of the multi-asset class branch, he greatly contributed to the growth of the franchise, which now has GBP20bn in assets. As Investment Week reveals, since his arrival as head of Aviva Investors, Munro has sounded the market with his ideas for multi-asset class strategies. Although Munro has no plans to create an exact replica of the GARS team at Aviva Investors, he is nonetheless seeking to construct a product income-oriented, and low-volatility funds investing throughout various asset classes in a manner similar to that of the range from Standard Life Investments.

P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; } 11 Icelandic pension funds have teamed up to create a private equity fund to target local investments, increasing fears of a bubble in the prices of assets in the country, Financial Times fund management reports. The fund has raised the equivalent of GBP38m. It is the second product launched by the pension fund sector since the crisis.

P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; } As part of a reorganization of Vatican finances sought by Pope Francis, an internal asset management firm will be founded, Il Sole – 24 Ore reports. The structure will centralise the investment principles of all portfolios of the various congregations of the Roman curia.

La hryvnia poursuit mardi son recul face au billet vert, à 9,80 pour un dollar en milieu de matinée contre 9,175 au cours de clôture d’hier, selon les données de Bloomberg. Ce plongeon de 6,8% porte à près de 19% la chute de la devise ukrainienne contre dollar depuis le début de l’année. Le parlement ukrainien a repoussé à jeudi le vote sur la formation d’un nouveau gouvernement d’union nationale, initialement prévue dans la journée, afin de laisser plus de temps aux consultations entre partis

Le nouveau président du Conseil italien a détaillé un ambitieux calendrier de réformes devant les sénateurs dont il sollicitait un vote de confiance. Matteo Renzi a déclaré qu’il comptait achever d’ici à la fin du mois prochain les débats sur son projet de réforme électorale et institutionnelle, qui prévoit de rationaliser le fonctionnement des gouvernements régionaux et de réduire le rôle du Sénat. Il a en outre annoncé une réforme de la justice d’ici juin, et une hausse des aides publiques aux chômeurs. Il a aussi dit envisager une taxe sur les profits tirés d’investissements financiers pour assumer les coûts d’une future réforme du marché du travail.

Une sous-commission du Sénat américain auditionnera demain mercredi le directeur général de Credit Suisse au sujet de l'évasion fiscale, selon l’ordre du jour transmis par le Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. Brady Dougan sera l’un des quatre dirigeants de la banque suisse à être auditionnés.

L’indice Ifo, indicateur du climat des affaires en Allemagne basé sur une enquête mensuelle auprès de 7.000 entreprises, a progressé à 111,3 en février, alors que le consensus tablait sur un chiffre stable à 110,6. Cette publication laisse prévoir une accélération de la croissance au premier trimestre après une performance modeste l’an passé.

L’indice PMI des services publié par Markit est ressorti à 52,7 en première estimation en février aux Etats-Unis, contre 56,7 en janvier. Il s’agit du dernier indicateur en date reflétant l’impact négatif sur la reprise de la vague de froid dans le pays.

Un accord sur l’introduction de la taxe sur les transactions financières pourrait intervenir entre les onze pays de la zone euro qui s’y sont ralliés d’ici au mois de mai, a déclaré le Commissaire européen à la fiscalité Algirdas Semeta à un quotidien autrichien. La France et l’Allemagne veulent un accord sur la TTF avant les élections européennes du 25 mai, ont déclaré la semaine dernière François Hollande et Angela Merkel.

L'hypothèse d'un plan de soutien détend les rendements de la dette en dollar. La devise poursuit sa chute

L'hypothèse d'un plan de soutien détend les rendements de la dette en dollar. La devise poursuit sa chute

D'ici à novembre, les superviseurs internationaux devront notamment avoir proposé des exigences en capital pour les assureurs systémiques