La Cades a déjà réalisé la moitié de son programme de financement 2014
Avec l'emprunt effectué hier, la Caisse d’amortissement de la dette sociale a levé 8,7 milliards d'euros sur les 15 à 18 milliards visés
Candriam, ex-Dexia AM, affiche ses ambitions
Acquis par New York Life Investiments en septembre dernier, Dexia Asset Management a été rebaptisé Candriam Investors Group. Son directeur général Naïm Abou-Jaoudé dévoile les projets de la société de gestion, qui devrait profiter d’une forte complémentarité avec sa maison-mère.
Les banques centrales revoient leur communication
Comme la Fed, la BoE a rapidement touché les limites de sa «forward guidance», l'orientation des anticipations
Bruxelles et Washington progressent vers un encadrement harmonisé des dérivés
La CFTC va exempter provisoirement d’enregistrement outre-Atlantique les plates-formes MTF européennes
Fidelity a subi une moindre décollecte en 2013
Le géant américain de la gestion d’actifs a publié un résultat opérationnel au titre de l’an dernier en hausse de 13% à 2,6 milliards de dollars, sur fond d’un recul des retraits nets, passés de 5,3 à 1,1 milliard.
Morgan Stanley à l’offensive sur la gestion d’actifs
Président de la division gestion de fortune et d’actifs de la banque américaine, Greg Fleming a indiqué à l’occasion d’une conférence que Morgan Stanley Investment Management avait pour objectif un montant d’actifs de 500 milliards de dollars d’ici 2016, contre 338 milliards aujourd’hui, avec un rendement des fonds propres de 20%.
La France Mutualiste souhaite renforcer ses investissements dans le private equity
En 2014, La France Mutualiste a pour projet de poursuivre sa stratégie de diversification en renforçant ses investissements dans le private equity qui s'élèvent actuellement à 1%. Rien n’est encore décidé pour le moment, précise Anne Mazzanti, Directeur général délégué de La France Mutualiste. Nous regardons actuellement les véhicules d’investissements disponibles sur le marché, ainsi que les structures. Nous avons d’ailleurs déjà reçu plusieurs sociétés de gestion et nous continuerons en 2014. Les investissements dans les fonds de place visant à soutenir les PME proposés par la Bpifrance est également un véhicule qui pourrait intéresser La France Mutualiste. Nous ne sommes pas contre, bien au contraire, ajoute Anne Mazzanti. Nous avons reçu des offres qui sont actuellement en cours de dépouillement. Nous sommes également attentifs aux projets de financement des collectivités territoriales au travers de prêts. Mais le renforcement de la poche de diversification prendra du temps. Il n’est pas question de changer drastiquement l’allocation stratégique des actifs, souligne Anne Mazzanti. Le portefeuille de la France Mutualiste restera donc composé à 74% d’obligations (88% de France, 10% zone Euro hors France et 2% Europe hors zone euro), 16% d’immobiliers, 8% d’actions, 2% de monétaires et 1% de non-côté.
L'Italie à nouveau en proie à l'instabilité politique
Le président du Conseil italien, Enrico Letta, présentera ce mercredi à 18h00 lors d’une conférence de presse annoncée par ses services, son nouveau «pacte de coalition» pour accélérer les réformes et répondre aux critiques du chef de son Parti démocrate, Matteo Renzi. Les deux hommes n’ont pu rapprocher leurs points de vue lors d’une rencontre en milieu de journée à Rome, un statu quo lourd de menaces pour le fragile gouvernement de coalition en place depuis dix mois. Depuis plusieurs jours, les rumeurs de remplacement d’Enrico Letta par Matteo Renzi se multiplient.
Mario Draghi veut un fonds de résolution mutualisé dans 5 ans
Le président de la Banque centrale européenne (BCE) Mario Draghi a demandé mercredi que le futur Fonds de résolution unique (FRU) soit pleinement mutualisé d’ici cinq ans, sans accélération des abondements des banques. L’accord de décembre 2013 entre Etats prévoit une mutualisation au bout de 10 ans. La mission de cette instance chargée de liquider les banques en faillite sera beaucoup plus compliquée s’il existe des doutes sur ses ressources financières, a-t-il fait valoir lors d’une conférence organisée par la Banque nationale de Belgique. La création du FRU est un des piliers de l’union bancaire mais il reste à définir sur quel filet de sécurité
La Turquie prépare une émission en dollars à 31 ans
La Turquie planche sur un emprunt obligataire en dollars à 31 ans, la plus longue maturité jamais émise en billet vert pour le pays. Le rendement indicatif de ces titres de maturité 2045 oscille entre 6,75% et 6,875%. La réussite du placment soulignerait la confiance des investisseurs pour les émissions en «hard currency» (par opposition à la devise locale) du pays. La livre turque s’est légèrement reprise face au dollar depuis la hausse des taux de la banque centrale, à 2,18 contre 2,39 au pic des turbulences sur les marchés émergents en janvier.
La BCE étudie «très sérieusement» des taux négatifs
Benoît Coeuré, membre du directoire de la Banque centrale européenne, a indiqué à Reuters que la BCE pourrait passer le taux de sa facilité de dépôt en territoire négatif. «C’est quelque chose que nous considérons très sérieusement. Mais vous ne devez pas attendre trop» de cette mesure, a-t-il déclaré. Des propos qui ont entraîné une baisse de l’euro face au dollar, à 1,358.
La Cades emprunte 5 milliards d'euros à 5 ans
La Caisse d’amortissement de la dette sociale a bouclé mercredi une émission obligataire de 5 milliards d’euros à 5 ans, dont elle a relevé la taille en raison de la forte demande des investisseurs, notamment des banques centrales. Les titres font ressortir un coupon de 1,125% et une marge de 11,3 points de base au-dessus des emprunts d’Etat français de référence. Le papier a été placé à 93% hors de France, indique un banquier en charge du placement. BNP Paribas, CA CIB, Natixis et RBS ont dirigé l’opération. La Cades avait déjà procédé fin janvier à une émission à 3 ans libellée en dollars, à hauteur de 5 milliard. Elle a ainsi réalisé la moitié de son programme de financement à moyen long terme pour 2014, fixé entre 15 et 18 milliards d’euros.
AllianceBernstein a décollecté en 2013
Le gestionnaire de fonds américain AllianceBernstein, propriété d’Axa, a enregistré 10,3 milliards de dollars de retraits nets l’an dernier, dont 3,6 milliards sur ses fonds actions. Le gros de la décollecte (6,8 milliards) est lié à la perte de portefeuilles de taux gérés pour le compte de Mony Life, après la cession par Axa de cette filiale aux Etats-Unis. AllianceBernstein a toutefois publié des revenus et des résultats supérieurs aux attentes des analystes au quatrième trimestre. A fin 2013, ses encours s'élevaient à 450 milliards de dollars.
12/02/2014
iShares lists an ETF on Euronext Amsterdam
P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; } iShares on 11 February listed the iShares Euro Stoxx 50 ex-Financials Ucits ETF on Euronext Amsterdam, according to a statement released by Euronext. The product, which charges 0.20%, and whose underlying index is the Euro Stoxx 50 ex Fins, is the first ETF in continental Europe to use an international transaction settlement structure, specifically Euroclear Bank, an international central securities depository (ICSD), which substitutes for traditional national central securities depositories (CSD). Euronext now has 661 listings of 571 ETFs listed on European markets.
12/02/2014
Spain: assets in funds expected to rise 13.5% in 2014
P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; } The asset management market in Spain is promising a bright future. According to estimates published on 10 February by Inverco, the Spanish asset management association, unveiled by Funds People, assets under management in funds on sale in the Iberian peninsula are expected to rise by 13.5% in 2014 to EUR284.5bn, compared with EUR250.74bn at the end of 2013. Foreign funds on sale in Spain alone are expected to grow by 15.4% of their assets, to a total of EUR75bn, while domestic funds may see their assets increase by 14.3% to a total of EUR180bn, Lastly, Inverco is anticipating growth of 3.3% in assets under management in pension funds in 2014, increasing from EUR92.4bn to EUR95.5bn.
12/02/2014
BNY Mellon launches two Japan equity funds in France
P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; } The product range from BNY Mellon Asset Management (AM) in Japanese equities is winning out on the French market. The two funds investing in Japanese equities, the BNY Mellon Japan All Cap Equity and the BNY Mellon Japan Small Cap Equity Focus, which are already available in most major European countries (see Newsmanagers of 3 February 2014), have received a license from the Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF) for sale in France. The two vehicles, domiciled in Dublin, are sub-funds of BNY Mellon Global Funds plc. They are managed directly by BNY Mellon Japan, the local affiliate of the US group based in Tokyo. The structure was created last year following the recruitment of a team of 5 people from ING in April 2013, who report to Miyuki Kashima, head of Japanese equity management at BNY Mellon AM Japan. While the BNY Mellon Japan All Cap Equity Fund invests in a diversified portfolio of equities in all sectors of the Tokyo Stock Price (TOPIX) index, the BNY Mellon Japan Small Cap Equity Focus Fund, for its part, is primarily exposed to securities, whose market capitalisation is less than GBP3bn (JPY500bn).
12/02/2014
IMA wants feedback from rest of world on commissions paid by asset management firms
P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; } The Investment Management Association, the association of asset management professionals in the United Kingdom, will launch a global call to review the way in which asset management firms pay for financial research, Financial News predicts. The move comes at a time when the association is concerned that the United Kingdom may be isolated by plans by the Financial Conduct Authority to shake up the research sector in the country. The recommendation will be part of a report on commissions paid for financial research which the IMA is expected to publish in the coming weeks.
12/02/2014
Schroders plans to develop in Switzerland
P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; } The British Schroders group is planning to build its presence in significant proportions on the Swiss market, where it already has more than 250 employees, the head of Schroders, Michael Dobson, has told the newspaper NZZ. The development of activities in Switzerland is already a consequence of the acquisition of Cazenove in July 2013, as the administrative services from Cazenove will now all be executed in Switzerland. Dobson has also emphasized that unlike what is being done in many other countries, Schroder Investment Management in Switzerland has not only a distribution team, but also eight investment desks, from which it is possible to manage funds.
12/02/2014
ESMA consults on ratings agency technical standards
The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) on February 11 published a consultation paper setting out the draft Regulatory Technical Standards (RTS) required for the implementation of the CRA3 Regulation (Regulation).The draft RTS, which complements the existing regulatory framework for credit rating agencies (CRAs), cover: disclosure requirements on structured finance instruments (SFIs); the European Rating Platform (ERP); and the periodic reporting on fees charged by CRAs.
12/02/2014
Lyxor sees increase in assets of EUR5bn in 2013
P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; }Lyxor recorded an increase in its assets under management of EUR +5 billion in 2013, to EUR 80 billion, according to Societe Generale’s annual results. This was due to « a positive inflow, underpinned by the extension of its product range in 2013, and a positive performance effect ». Lyxor’s revenues were up +8.6% at EUR 214 million in 2013, representing an increase in the gross margin to 28 basis points vs. 26 basis points in 2012. Amundi’s contribution to Group net income came to EUR 106 million in 2013 vs. EUR 115 million in 2012 and EUR 31 million in Q4 13 vs. EUR 28 million in Q4 12.The Asset and Wealth Management business line’s contribution to Group net income of EUR 271 million in 2013 was higher than in 2012, which incurred a EUR -200 million goodwill write-down in respect of TCW in Q2 12. Revenues totalled EUR 1,100 million, up +16.1% year-on-year, driven by Private Banking and Lyxor. Operating expenses of EUR -858 million increased +12.2% vs. 2012. They included EUR -30 million in respect of the transformation plan. The cost to income ratio improved by +5 points vs. 2012, to 78%. Gross operating income of EUR 242 million was higher year-on-year (EUR 218 million in 2012).
12/02/2014
Axiom AI wants to play in the big leagues
P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; } By opening an office in London, Axiom Alternative is hoping to kill two birds with one stone. Firstly, its presence in the European capital of finance permits direct confrontation with the heavyweights in the sector. “We wanted to play in the big leagues. But we needed to reach a certain size,” David Benamou, managing partner at Axiom AI, on 11 February told Newsmanagers at a debate and conference about the banking sector. With assets under management that now well exceed EUR500m, the firm claims that it has reached critical mass to envision a new step in its growth. That is another reason to set up in London. After massive changes in the past few years, in the City there is now a rich supply of talent that can be drawn on to build solid and well-performing teams. The London office may have four or five people by the end of the year. In addition to Benamou, who will direct the London office, the team may also include an analyst and a salesperson. There may also be some research activity in London, such that the team of 12 people in Paris may reach a total size of 17 to 18 employees by the end of 2014. The United Kingdom may be home to the firm’s largest foreign outpost, but it is not the only one. Axiom AI also has a large client base in Luxembourg, Belgium, Switzerland, and to a lesser extent in Southern Europe, in Spain and Italy. Axiom AI is planning to set up a sales office in Italy. Last but not least, the firm is also working to add to its product range, with the forthcoming launch of a strategy dedicated to banking sector equities. This is an asset class that the firm does not offer yet, but a sector which it knows well due to its specialisation in subordinate banking sector debt.
12/02/2014
La Française builds presence in alternative multi-management and international
P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; } La Française on Tuesday, 11 February announced that it is signing a strategic partnership with Tages Capital in the area of alternative multi-management. La Française will be acquiring 40% of capital in the asset management arm of the Tages group (USD2.1bn in assets). Pascale Auclair, CEO at La Française des Placements, and two other heads from La Française will be appointed to the executive board at Tages Capital, whose assets total about USD1bn. Two managers from La Française will also join Tages Capital in London to create a new team, which will be managing the range of funds of hedge funds from La Française, and will also provide services to French clients. In France, La Française will be the exclusive distributor of alternative management funds from La Française and Tages. Outside the borders of France, the two groups will collaborate with the support of their own distribution networks. This new participation follows a series of partnerships signed in France and internationally by the La Française group in the past year, including one with Inflection Capital Management (IPCM) in equity management. As of the end of December, the La Française group had assets of EUR41.9bn, up 12.5% year on year, for gross long-term inflows of over EUR5.7bn, driven by real estate inflows of EUR1.8bn and a strong contribution from international, totalling over EUR1bn. Net inflows totalled EUR1.5bn. International ambitions are strong. “International is expected to account for more than the current 9% in the next few months. International inflows are expected to be brought up to EUR1.5bn for 2014,” predicts Xavier Lépine, chairman of the board at La Française.
12/02/2014
Les fonds d'actions et les fonds diversifiés ont été très demandés en décembre
Les fonds de long terme (c’est-à-dire hors fonds monétaires) commercialisés en Europe ont enregistré en décembre une collecte nette de 16,9 milliards d’euros, ce qui porte la collecte sur l’ensemble de l’année à 274,8 milliards d’euros, selon des statistiques communiquées par Lipper.Les fonds d’actions et les fonds diversifiés ont mené la danse en décembre, avec des collectes nettes de 10,2 milliards d’euros et 6,2 milliards d’euros respectivement. les premières estimations pour janvier montrent que les fonds d’actions ont continué de fortement collecter, relève Lipper. Les fonds obligataires ont attiré en décembre 2,4 milliards d’euros alors que les fonds monétaires subissaient une décollecte nette de 8,3 milliards d’euros.L’examen par pays montre un tableau contrasté, avec des collectes en décembre de 3,3 milliards d’euros en Italie, de 3,1 milliards d’euros au Royaume-Uni et de 2,4 milliards d’euros en Suède. En revanche, la Belgique affiche une décollecte nette de 2,6 milliards d’euros, devant la Suisse (-2,2 milliards d’euros) et la France (-2,1 milliards d’euros).BlackRock arrive en tête des collecteurs de fonds en décembre, avec des souscriptions de 2,2 milliards d’euros, devant Nordea AB (1,3 milliard d’euros) et Vanguard Group (1,2 milliard d’euros).Sur l’ensemble de l’année, les fonds obligataires ont collecté 96,4 milliards d’euros, les fonds d’actions 92,4 milliards d’euros et les fonds diversifiés 85,1 milliards d’euros. Les fonds monétaires ont en revanche terminé l’année sur une décollecte nette de 93,9 milliards d’euros.
12/02/2014
US asset management firms move away from salesforce channelization
Asset managers in the United States are shifting away from salesforce channelization, according to new research from Cerulli Associates. More than 50% of asset managers have reported moving away from organizing their salesforce by channel, compared to more than 30% in 2011. «For two decades, firms were organizing their salesforces by segmenting the industry into distribution channels, and assigning territories to wholesalers based on a combination of geographic factors and channel attributes,» Pamela DeBolt, associate director at Cerulli, explains. «Industry consolidation, technology, and the rise of fee-based platforms have created a new landscape in which firms are trending away from a channelized view of distribution.» «Firms are no longer able to rely on the classification of their clients into neat groups of channels that share similar characteristics,» DeBolt continues. «Firms are organizing their sales efforts around their key accounts and most promising client relationships, with key account managers playing an increasingly important role and wholesalers relying on them more.»
12/02/2014
J.P. Morgan AM adds to team in Asia-Pacific
P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; } J.P. Morgan Asset Management (AM) has appointed Paula Stibbe in the position of head of global liquidity sales in Asia-Pacific, replacing Travis Spence, who has recently taken the position of head of global strategic relationships for the group in the region (excluding Japan), Asia Asset Management reveals. Stibbe had previously served in New York as senior client portfolio manager in the global short-term fixed-income group of the company. She will now be based in Hong Kong, where she will be in charge of sales and services of short-term fixed-income solutions along with development across the Asia-Pacific region.
12/02/2014
Hermes recruits a new head for Northern Europe
P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; } Hermes Fund Managers has hired Johan Strömberg as head of development for Northern Europe, Fondbranschen reports. Strömberg previously worked for the hedge fund firm Prosperity Capital. He replaces Jakob Nilsson, who is appointed as head of sales for Asia.
12/02/2014
Speculation about a potential sale of Bestinver
P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; } Bestinver may soon be changing hands. According to several sources in the Spanish media, its largest shareholder, Acciona, is disposed to consider potential bids for its asset management affiliate. For good reason. The Spanish firm, specialised in infrastructure and services, has a lot of debt and is suffering the brunt of the most recent electricity reforms, which require the Entrecanales family, a shareholder in Acciona, to look at various options to unload non-strategic assets, including the asset management firm Bestinver. The challenge is far from easy: Acciona needs to unload several assets or affiliates to make up the gap of EUR350m related to recent regulatory changes in Spain. Although Acciona refuses all comment, several sources close to the Entrecanales family, cited by El Confidencial, confirm that the sale, as well as the real estate management firm, would be part of a restructuring plan announced in mid-2013, which aimed for EUR500m to EUR1bn in divestment. Bestinver, whose assets under management total EUR9bn, could be valued at EUR250m to EUR530m on the basis of an operating profit of EUR75m, according to El Confidencial. According to market sources cited by other Spanish media sources, the potential buyer of Bestinver could be a foreign private equity fund. Regardless of the valuation of the asset management firm and its potential buyer, the operation will have to be approved by the current managers and directors of Bestinver, key agents in the success of the asset management firm.
12/02/2014
Appointment at Bi-Sam
P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; } The asset management sector service provider Bi-Sam has appointed Richard Irons as executive director for Europe. In his new role, Irons will direct the development of the activities of the firm in Europe. Irons previously worked at Nyse Euronext, where he was director of sales for Nyse Technologies.
12/02/2014
Good start to the year for Swedish funds
P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; } In January, funds on sale in Sweden enjoyed net inflows of SEK11.1bn, or EUR1.25bn, the latest statistics from the Swedish investment fond association, Fondbolagens Förening, show. Inflows were primarily driven by money market funds, which took in SEK4.9bn. Bond, equity and balanced funds posted respective inflows of SEK2.8bn, SEK2bn and SEK1.6bn. In equity funds, inflows were primarily driven by global equity funds, with nearly SEK4bn. European and Swedish equity funds also posted inflows, while other geographical regions show outflows. At the end of January, assets in Swedish funds totalled SEK2.442bn, or EUR276.55bn, of which 55% are in equity funds.