All articles by Lynn Strongin Dodds
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Asset Class ReportsCase study: Varma aiming high while Looking for domestic growth
Varma is increasing its focus on unlisted companies in its home market
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Special ReportTrends to watch in 2026: As stocks defy gravity, bubble fever speculation grows
Stocks seemed to have defied gravity this year, but the latest Bank of America (BofA) Securities Global Fund Managers survey shows that a record 60% of money managers canvassed believe global equities, including the US, are overvalued.
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Special ReportLimelight falls on ETFs as investors seek better returns
Faced with volatile market conditions, the ETF market has become increasingly attractive. Lynn Strongin Dodds reports
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Asset Class ReportsEmerging market debt attracts the attention of institutional investors
Poised to benefit from US decline Reforms, prudent policymaking and the end of US exceptionalism have changed the nature of lending to emerging markets
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FeaturesEuropean Commission eyes securitisation as way to boost EU’s economy
After years of being discussed as a way to boost the European Union’s economy, securitisation is now firmly at the top of policymakers’ priority list for the 2024-29 legislative term.
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FeaturesHigh-yield bonds still attractive despite market volatility
High-yield bonds have proven their resiliency in the current market volatility. Spreads are at the tight end, but yields are also higher than they have been, offsetting these concerns.
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FeaturesUS Dollar slide set to continue amid ongoing geopolitical turbulence
The US dollar (USD) index tumbled 10% in the first six months of the year, marking the worst performance since 1973 when Richard Nixon was the US president and the greenback broke its connection with gold.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Asset Class ReportsEuropean equities: Bargains or bear traps amid global headwinds?
Despite record valuation gaps with the US, investors remain cautious about European equities. Political turmoil, geopolitical risks, and fears of tariffs under Trump’s presidency cast a shadow, while fund managers pivot toward stock-specific opportunities
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Asset Class ReportsEquities: US equity markets expected to gain from Trump’s victory
As the political dust settles following Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential elections, global equity funds are eagerly eyeing the incoming administration and the opportunities it may offer
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FeaturesInsurance-linked securities bank a stellar year for returns
Insurance-linked securities (ILS) may be complicated, but they are gaining an institutional following especially among pension and sovereign wealth funds, multi-asset investment firms and endowments.
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Asset Class ReportsPrivate equity industry starts to show signs of recovery
Private equity has a bounce in its step once again, but it could be years before the industry recovers fully
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Asset Class ReportsEmerging markets private credit steps into the breach
Institutional investors are increasingly providing the funding that emerging market companies cannot get from banks
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Special ReportIndex 2.0: Off-the-shelf or custom indices?
Continuing innovation in the index business leads investors to address a fundamental question – should they buy off-the-shelf products or customise their own?
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Asset Class ReportsInvestors look to smaller companies
Following the rout of the Magnificent Seven, small and mid-caps stepped into the breach
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Asset Class ReportsRegulators shine a light on non-bank lenders
Although private market activity is slowing down, there are fears of systemic risk
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FeaturesCyber catastrophe bonds make a debut as insurers offload risk
Cyber catastrophe bonds may be the new kid on the insurance-linked securities (ILS) block, but they have been talked about for years. The jury is out, though, as to whether they will follow the same trajectory as their natural cat bond peers. While some analysts believe they have the potential to go mainstream, others cite concerns over modelling and lack of diversification.
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Asset Class ReportsEquities: a return to passive safe havens
In an effort to counterbalance an uncertain economic outlook and geopolitical tensions, many institutional investors are avoiding active management
