All Features articles – Page 2
-
FeaturesThe scarce commodity of active management skill
Active management skill remains elusive but it can be identified by means of effective analytics, with common attributes such as trading skill and concentrated portfolios
-
FeaturesHow seven European pension funds view active management
IPE asked leading European pension funds for their views on active management, with turmoil in the equity markets and continuing geopolitical uncertainty around the world
-
FeaturesReforms boost appeal of Japanese equities despite trade challenges
It has been a long time coming but Japan’s corporate governance reforms are finally winding their way through the system, giving investors new-found confidence in its equity markets.
-
FeaturesTrump market turmoil boosts hedge funds
With equity markets on a semi-permanent rollercoaster, the majority of the hedge fund industry has performed relatively well. Could we be about to see an absolute return renaissance?
-
FeaturesUK court cases spell trouble for passive shareholders
In the Allianz vs Barclays case, passive investors have been denied damages related to investments in companies releasing misleading information
-
FeaturesCould white hydrogen solve the renewable energy challenge?
Discovery of a reserve of ‘white’ hydrogen could alter the dynamics of energy transition Hydrogen-focused ETFs have fared badly The gas can also serve as a hedge against geopolitical and energy security risks Production costs are higher than fossil fuel alternatives
-
Features
Fixed income, rates, currencies: Fickle US policy shakes global investor confidence
The hugely unpredictable policy announcements from those in charge of the world’s largest developed economy are market events more usually associated with goings-on in a newer EM economy
-
FeaturesIPE Quest Expectations Indicator - April 2025
Since 1900, the US has waged numerous wars but has won only three without allies. This is the sobering background for recent US geopolitical policy moves: changing sides from Ukraine to Russia, interfering in German elections and behaviour at the NATO ministerial meeting.
-
FeaturesIPE Quest Expectations Indicator - March 2025
Political risk has risen to boiling point. Donald Trump’s talks with Russia to end the war in Ukraine, without as much as a Ukrainian presence, left the US without allies or credibility, especially in Europe.
-
FeaturesAnother strong year ahead for green bond market as EU regulations set to drive demand
Against all the odds, the green bond market had a good 2024. In a year when inflows into global sustainability funds were slashed in half, green bonds recorded their second-highest annual issuance levels ever, with more than $560bn (€536bn) of labelled paper sold
-
FeaturesFixed income, rates, currencies: Trump’s tariff announcements weigh on sentiment
As tariff announcements garner huge amounts of media attention, financial market reactions have been muted. Participants are trying to beat off tariff fatigue and assess the best path through all the smoke and mirrors.
-
FeaturesCentral banks and cryptocurrency reserve: set for a breakthrough?
After courting the crypto community during his presidential campaign, Donald Trump issued an executive order in early March to create a US strategic bitcoin reserve, as well as a national digital assets stockpile of tokens other than bitcoin.
-
FeaturesFixed income, rates, currencies: Markets rocked by Trump’s sweeping tariffs plan
The world’s economy enters a new phase as the US administration escalates towards a global trade war, raising the prospect of a US recession and crashing global financial markets
-
FeaturesCan emerging market equities offset US headwinds with domestic growth?
Emerging market (EM) equities have been an unloved asset class over the past few years. China’s economic woes, a stronger US dollar and the country’s prolonged tech bull run cast a long shadow. However, there are some bright spots in 2025, despite US president Donald Trump’s tariffs.
-
FeaturesGold’s lustre turns heads as precious metals regain investment safe haven status
Gold, and to a lesser extent silver, have regained their lustre as favoured precious metal safe havens, although there are now new structural drivers.
-
FeaturesFixed income, rates, currencies: Uncertainty reigns as Trump 2.0 takes office
Now that Donald Trump has been installed as US president, there should be more clarity around some of the timings of his probable new policies.
-
FeaturesIPE Quest Expectations Indicator - February 2025
The erosion in trust in the US is promoted by its refusal to participate in a proposed trigger force in Ukraine. In response, European defence expenses are rising, in particular in Poland, the Baltics and Scandinavia.
-
FeaturesCross-border investment barriers: issues for institutional investors
Protectionist trade policies are back in vogue, fuelled by the rise of China’s economy and, more recently, by the escalation of geopolitical tensions.
-
FeaturesFixed income, rates, currencies: Trump 2.0 sends global markets out of sync
Trump’s re-election prompted a rally in US assets, but elsewhere in global markets investors did not react positively
-
FeaturesBriefing: The challenge of investing in Europe’s energy transition
The way the European economy powers itself is undergoing a fundamental shift, driven by market forces and policymakers. But while the direction of travel is clear, the path to a different energy mix is tortuous and the shift may be much slower than required to meet Europe’s target to be net zero by 2050.
