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09/01/2014

Schroders appoints a head of risk for wealth management

Schroders has recruited Andrew Schiels, who had previously worked as a risk consultant at Lloyds, as head of risk for the private bank and wealth management on a consultant basis, Financial News reports, citing sources familiar with the matter.
09/01/2014

Former head of marketing at F&C joins RLAM

The former head of marketing at F&C, Tracy Fennell, has joined Royal London Asset Management (RLAM) to serve in the same role, Investment Week reports. She left F&C last summer during a reorganization of the business.
09/01/2014

Lyxor hedge fund index up 1.15% in December

The Lyxor hedge fund index gained 1.15% in the month of December, bringing performance in the sector for the year as a whole to 7.01%, according to the Lyxor barometer of the alternative management industry, published on 8 January. Long/short strategies did particularly well in December and throughout the year. The Lyxor L/S Equity Long Bias index in particular gained 1.94% in December, and 16.79% for the year as a whole. It has also been noted that the Lyxor Special Situations index gained 2.66% in December, to finish the year with gains of 14.28%, whle the Lyxor CTA Long Term index posted gains of 2.47% in December, but has finished the year with gains of only 4.25%.
09/01/2014

Legg Mason recruits for sales team in Frankfurt

Christian Humlach has been appointed as director of development in the German sales team at Legg Mason in Frankfurt, Fondsprofessionell reports. Humlach had previously been head of institutional products at Convertinvest. He will report to Klaus Dahmann, head of sales for Germany and Austria at Legg Mason.
09/01/2014

France beats Luxembourg and Ireland on AIFM

France has received 30 Alternative Investment Fund Managers licenses, more than the United Kingdom, Luxembourg and Ireland put together, Funds Europe reports, citing figures from Paris Fund Industry. Paul-Henri de La Porte du Theil, chairman of the French asset management association, predicts that a total of 200 asset management firms will be licensed in France by the end of the year. The Luxembourg fund management association says that 10 asset management firms have been licensed, while the Irish fund association counts four, and the Financial Conduct Authority has not released a figure.
09/01/2014

Risk budget: balanced funds have trouble with new allocation techniques

Multi-asset class funds which use new risk budget allocation techniques, such as approaches which integrate risk dynamic or risk parity, had some difficulty in second half, according to a study recently published by Fitch Ratings (“European Multi-Asset Funds Dashboard Dec 2013.”) Inversely, funds which have adopted a more static approach, with a limited exposure to duration and a high exposure to equities and high yield, did much better. Multi-asset class funds are continuing to encounter difficulty, with dynamic allocation during periods of falling trends, such as in May/June 2013, and in the following months. The problems related to timing and the size of the risk reduction and the subsequence increase in exposure to risk have an impact on cumulative performance. The calibration of risk budget adjustment techniques remains a work in progress, largely due to the measurement of risk, which, as in the case of VIX, depends on less solid indicators, the study reveals.
09/01/2014

Markus Kaiser from StarCapital to manage two funds of funds at RWS

The German asset management firm StarCapital on 8 January announced that Markus Kaiser would provide management of the two funds of funds RWS-Ertrag and RWS-Dynamik from the asset management firm RWS Vermögensplanung. Kaiser, who joined StarCapital in July last year as a member of the management board, was already managing the two products when he was at Critas Investment, as RWS made him manager of the funds at the time.
09/01/2014

Investors prefer equities and abandon emerging market debt

The most recent statistics on inflows to funds received by Morningstar reveal that investors pulled out of emerging market debt funds in November, withdrawing EUR3.1bn from the category. In the bond universe, outflows totalled EUR2.1bn for the month. At the other extreme, private bond funds in US dollars posted their fifth month of inflows, with EUR1.3bn in November. Equity funds have posted inflows of EUR8.4bn in November and EUR74.80bn since the beginning of the year. In total, long-term funds have posted EUR13.9bn in inflows in November, while money market funds have posted a net outflow in the same period of EUR8.2bn. Allocation funds, with EUR6.4bn, have posted their 23rd consecutive month of inflows, bringing net subscriptions since the beginnig of the year to EUR88.99bn. Hedge funds have posted EUR1.7bn in inflows in November. Funds investing in European stock market large caps (all styles) and Japanese large caps (all styles) took in EUR1.7bn and EUR1.6bn, respectively.
09/01/2014

TCW teams up with Emerging Global Advisors in ETFs

TCW and Emerging Global Advisors (EGA), the asset manager to the EGShares exchange-traded fund (ETF) offering, on Wednesday announced their partnership to launch a suite of emerging market fixed income ETFs. The EGShares TCW EM Short Term Investment Grade Bond ETF (Ticker: SEMF), the EGShares TCW EM Intermediate Term Investment Grade Bond ETF (Ticker: IEMF) and the EGShares TCW EM Long Term Investment Grade Bond ETF (Ticker: LEMF) are the industry’s first suite of EM fixed income ETFs to provide duration-defined exposure to USD-denominated, investment grade emerging market sovereign and corporate bonds. All three funds are advised by EGA, sub-advised by TCW and track custom indices created and monitored by J.P. Morgan. The funds will be managed by Penelope D. Foley and David I. Robbins, group managing directors of emerging markets strategies at TCW.
09/01/2014

Northwestern Mutual explores sale of Russell Investments

The US insurer Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance is studying a sale of its asset management affiliate Russell Investments, according to Reuters, citing four anonymous sources familiar with the matter. Northwestern Mutual acquires Russell Investments, which was then known as Franck Russell Company, in 1999, for USD1.2bn, but the US group now no longer considers this activity a part of its strategic and core activities. At this stage, it has not yet been decided whether the affiliate will be sole entirely or in parts, Reuters reports. Russell Investments, which is known for its indices, currently has USD247bn in assets under management.
09/01/2014

SwissLife Banque Privée acquires 100% of Prigest

SwissLife Banque Privée announced that it has acquired 100% of capital in Priget SA, in line with the initial calendar. The firm acquired an initial stake of 25% in June 2011. With nearly EUR500m in assets from private clients at Prigest, SwissLife Banque Privée now has EUR4bn in assets under managemetn for private clients (in addition to which there are EUR24bn in assets under custody). The firm is also extending its fund range with the Prigest range for European, US and Asia-Pacific equity markets. For its part, Prigest will continue its development, as SwissLife Banque Privée will open sales channels for it to IFAs, brokers and networks of the group as well as a sales force via its private bankers, a statement says.
09/01/2014

EFG International appoints CFO Giorgio Pradelli as deputy CEO

The bank EFG International has appointed CFO Giorgio Pradelli as deputy CEO with immediate effect, according to a statement released on 8 January. Pradelli, who retains his position as CFO, will focus on EFGI’s operational and risk platform. This new configuration will allow CEO John Williamson to devote more of his time to the development of the five regional private banking businesses, as well as investment and wealth solutions, EFG International states. Pradelli has been working at EFG International since June 2012.
09/01/2014

UBS GAM launches a series of ETFs based in MSCI indices

UBS Global Asset Management (UBS) has licensed 27 MSCI Hedged Indices for a new series of ETFs launched yesterday, according to MSCI. Thomas Merz, head of UBS ETF Europe, commented, “By basing our physically replicated ETFs on a range of MSCI Hedged Indices, we are able to offer our clients a way to reduce currency risk and optimize portfolio returns in a transparent and cost-efficient way.”
09/01/2014

Söderberg acquires JRS Asset Management

The Swedish asset management firm JRS Asset Management has been sold to the new holding company Viktor och Peter Söderberg Förvaltning, the Swedish website Realtid.se reports, citing an article in the newspaper Dagens Industri. The Söderberg brothers have signed an agreement with Mats Ekström and Peter Nygren to acquire JRS AM for SEK70m. The asset management firm has assets of SEK9bn, according to DI.
09/01/2014

Coutts recruits in Indonesia

The British wealth management firm Coutts, an affiliate of the Royal Bank of Scotland, has recruited Yee Chin Lit as head of the Indonesian market. Yee, who joined from Credit Suisse, will be based in Singapore, Asian Investor reports. New recruitments as additions to the new team dedicated to this market will follow, the newspaper notes. Yee will aim to strengthen Coutts’ presence in Indonesia, and to boost the development of its client base.
09/01/2014

FSB and IOSCO consult on systemic establishments outside banking and insurance

The Financial Stability Board (FSB) and the International Organisation of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) on 8 January published a consultation document on evalutation methodologies to identify systemic financial establishments outside the banking and insurance sectors. These evaluation methodologies come as additions to the methodologies which currently cover banks and insurers. The document proposes specific methodologies to identify companies, but does not give immediate examples, nor does it propose the measures which will be applied to these entities. The consulltation will remain open until 7 April, a statement says.
09/01/2014

Credit Suisse real estate funds buy more than CHF530m worth of properties

Three real estate investment funds from Credit Suisse have added to their real estate portfolios, making purchases totalling CHF533m, the Swiss group announced on 8 January. The investment fund CSF Real Estate Switzerland (CSF RES) has acquired seven properties, in French-speaking Switzerland and the canton of Bern, for a total of over CHF293m. The real estate fund Credit Suisse Real Estate Interswiss (CS REF) and the investment fund CSF RES Commercial have acquired commercial properties totalling over CHF240m.
09/01/2014

Stable outlooks for global bond funds

Outlooks for the global bond sector in 2014 have been called “stable” by the financial ratings agency Moody’s in a report published on 8 January (“ 2014 Outlook – Bond Funds”). Several factors are expected to contribute to the stability of the sector, including default rates, which are expected to remain at low levels, refinancing risk, which is falling, and businesses which have robust liquidity profiles. The stable outlook also applies to bond funds in Latin America, where funds are becoming more attractive to investors due to the discipline brought to management of monetary and budgetary policies in many countries in the region which are increasing their capital markets. However, the agency says that the outlooks for the closed US municipal bond fund sector are now moving from stable to negative due to an increase in leverage, a decline in the quality of credit, and rising interest rates.
09/01/2014

Pictet overweights emerging market equities

Pictet Asset Management is not really in line with the consensus: it estimates that emerging market equities will be likely to interest investors more. According to Frédéric Rollin, who yesterday presented the main investment convictions for 2014, emerging market equities are relatively inexpensive compared to their historic valuations. From his point of view, they are undervalued by about 20%. Inflows are expected to return to emerging markets in a context in which growth in profits at emerging market businesses, which have been flagging since 2011, are expected to regain their colours in the next few months, thanks to a recovery of global growth. Pictet is also overweighting equities from developed markets, but with outlooks that may be less attractive than for emerging markets, however, with special mension for Japan, where reforms engaged will favour a sustainable return of growth, which, although it remains modest, is finally appearing. On the bond side, Pictet is overweighting high yield on both sides of the Atlantic, perhaps with a small preference for European high yield, which is more resistant to rising interest rates.
09/01/2014

Allianz GI recruits for its Italian institutional team

Allianz Global Investors has recruited Filippo Battistini as head of institutionals and fund selectors in Italy, Bluerating reports. Battistini joins from State Street Global Advisors, where he was head of business development for institutional clients. Battistini’s arrival comes after that of Alberto D’Avenia as head of development for Southern Europe and country head for Italy.
09/01/2014

La Banque centrale européenne ne modifie pas ses taux

La Banque centrale européenne garde sa politique monétaire inchangée. Le taux d’intérêt des opérations principales de refinancement ainsi que ceux de la facilité de prêt marginal et de la facilité de dépôt demeurent à respectivement 0,25 %, 0,75 % et 0,00 %. Le statu quo était largement anticipé. Les investisseurs attendent surtout d’entendre le discours et la conférence de presse de Mario Draghi, le président de la BCE. Celle-ci débutera à 14h30.
09/01/2014

BlackRock transige avec le procureur de New York

Le géant américain de la gestion a conclu un accord avec le procureur général de New York, Eric Schneiderman, sur ses pratiques en matière d’anticipation des recommandations des analystes. BlackRock, qui doit régler des frais d’enquête de 400.000 dollars mais évite une amende, a mis fin à son «Analyst Survey Program». Celui-ci visait, par le biais de questions adressées à un échantillon de courtiers et un traitement algorithmique des données reçues, à prédire les prochaines révisions des estimations. Même si le programme était conçu pour utiliser exclusivement des informations publiques, un mémo interne reconnaissait l’intention de «prendre une longueur d’avance» (front-run) sur les recommandations.
BlackRock doit régler des frais d'enquête de 400.000 dollars mais évite une amende. Photo: PHB
09/01/2014

Le Portugal reçoit plus de 9 milliards d'euros d'ordres pour son emprunt

Le Trésor portugais aurait déjà reçu plus de 9 milliards d’euros d’ordres pour son premier emprunt obligataire en huit mois, selon Reuters. Le pays avait annoncé hier la sélection de plusieurs banques pour abonder une souche existante à juin 2019 portant un coupon de 4,75%. La syndication de l’emprunt ferait ressortir un spread de 335 points de base au-dessus des mid-swaps.
09/01/2014

La Banque d'Angleterre opte pour le statu quo

La Banque d’Angleterre a laissé sa politique monétaire inchangée, comme attendu, maintenant son taux directeur à son plus bas historique de 0,5%. L'économie britannique bénéfice actuellement d’une croissance proche de 3% en données annualisées mais la Banque d’Angleterre avait prévenu en août dernier qu’elle n’envisagerait pas de relever son taux directeur tant que le taux de chômage ne serait pas revenu en dessous de 7%.
09/01/2014

L'Espagne dépasse ses objectifs pour son premier emprunt de l'année

L’Espagne a emprunté jeudi 5,29 milliards d’euros dans le cadre de deux émissions obligataires, dépassant son objectif fixé entre 4 et 5 milliards d’euros, en profitant d’une demande solide pour sa dette. Le Trésor a vendu pour 3,53 milliards d’euros de titres 30 avril 2019 à un rendement moyen de 2,382%. Le ratio de couverture (rapport entre la demande et l’offre) ressort à 1,8. Pour les titres d'échéance 31 décembre 2028, l’adjudication a porté sur 1,76 milliard et le rendement moyen ressort à 4,192%, contre 4,809% lors de l’opération comparable précédente. Le ratio de couverture a atteint 2,7. Madrid a bénéficié du fort rally obligataire périphérique des dernières semaines, avec un rendement à 10 ans à 3,726% jeudi.
09/01/2014

Les rendements irlandais à 5 ans passent sous ceux du Royaume-Uni

La convergence des rendements des emprunts d’Etat des pays périphériques avec ceux des pays coeur a franchi un nouveau cap jeudi matin. Les rendements irlandais à 5 ans sont en effet passés sous ceux des Gilts britanniques, à 1,837% contre 1,847% vers midi. Un phénomène qui peut susciter des interrogations sur les valorisations relatives de dettes souveraines, alors que l’Irlande vient à peine de s’affranchir de l’aide de ses bailleurs de fonds internationaux.
09/01/2014

Le Brésil a subi d'importantes sorties de capitaux en 2013

Le pays a enregistré en 2013 des sorties nettes de capitaux de 12,3 milliards de dollars, son premier solde négatif depuis la crise financière de 2008, selon la banque centrale. Le déficit des devises, qui a contribué à la dépréciation de plus de 13% de la valeur du réal l’an dernier, s’explique à la fois par la hausse des importations, la baisse des exportations et le recul des investissements étrangers.
09/01/2014

La Chine ouvre encore son marché aux gérants étrangers

Pékin a accordé au gérant britannique Ashmore une licence RQFII, qui va notamment lui donner accès au marché convoité des actions A de la Bourse chinoise. Ashmore, associé à HSBC pour la conservation de titres, devient ainsi le premier gérant étranger à pouvoir investir directement des fonds renminbis offshore sur le marché onshore des actions et obligations chinoises, sans être obligé de passer par Hong Kong. En octobre dernier, les autorités chinoises avaient annoncé la mise en place d’un quota de 80 milliards de renminbis pour des licences RQFII au bénéfice de gérants basés à Londres. Ashmore n’a pas dévoilé le quota dont il bénéficie.
09/01/2014

Russell Investments serait à vendre

L’assureur américain Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance envisage de vendre sa filiale de gestion, indique Reuters en citant quatre sources anonymes. Northwestern avait acquis en 1999 le groupe, qui s’appelait alors Frank Russell Company, pour 1,2 milliard de dollars, mais considère que cette activité ne fait plus partie de ses priorités stratégiques. Il n’aurait pas encore décidé si la vente doit se faire en bloc ou par appartements. Russell, connu notamment pour ses indices, gère près de 250 milliards d’encours.

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