Investment Strategies – Page 12
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Features
An equity substitute
David Newman argues that equities have a similar credit profile to high-yield bonds but offer less protection, worse returns and higher volatility. Add in low correlation, and there is a strong case for replacing some equity exposure with high yield
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FeaturesVolatility regimes and risk drivers
Using factor model to break down two similar-looking periods of declining implied volatility in Europe and the US, Rachael Smith uncovers surprising differences in the actual sources of risk
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Asset Class Reports
Hedge Funds: Changing models
The fund of funds model is having to adapt fast to survive. Joseph Mariathasan finds that the new models also require a different approach to thinking about the hedge fund opportunity set
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Interviews
Boutique ambition
Natixis Asset Management (NAM) might be less well known than other firms in the Natixis Global Asset Management (NGAM) empire, such as Boston’s Loomis Sayles or Chicago’s Harris Associates. But the Paris firm is by far the largest asset manager in its parent’s multi-affiliate structure in asset terms, in part thanks to its historic ties with France’s Caisse d’Epargne and Banque Populaire network, and its strong local roots.
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Special Report
Integrating ESG issues with executive pay
By linking executive pay to transparent and measurable ESG factors, companies can show they take ESG issues seriously. Nina Röhrbein reports on work being done in this area
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Special Report
Active on governance
Robert Monks tells Nina Röhrbein that institutional investors must get more active in corporate governance
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FeaturesWhat makes a skilful portfolio manager?
Ignore the sales pitches, advises Rick Di Mascio. Successful managers simply get more decisions right than wrong, and make sure their hits make more money than their misses lose
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Interviews
Cutting through the noise
“There is almost universal agreement that the world needs long-term investors and, indeed, that short-termism is bad,” says Keith Skeoch, CEO of Standard Life Investments (SLI), addressing a room of European finance journalists at its Edinburgh offices. “And the reason short-termism is perceived as bad is that the charge sheet is long and serious.”
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Features
A cross-border story
Iain Morse reviews Ireland’s custody market as it wakes up to fund rationalisation and thinner margins
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Features
Bolt-on growth
As a fast-track route to growth with a focus on efficiency gains, buy-and-build seems perfectly-suited to our low-growth world, writes Jennifer Bollen
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Interviews
Institutional ambition
It probably wasn’t planned this way, but Four Capital Partners was set up by Derrick Dunne and ex-Schroders UK equities managers Tom Carroll, Ted Williams and Chris Rodgers on the precipice of the financial crisis. Established in 2006, its first UK equities fund was launched in April 2007, on the very day that New Century Financial went Chapter 11.
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Features
On the road again
The convertible bond market finally woke up in September. But Martin Steward finds that there is a long way to go before portfolio managers are out of the woods
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Asset Class Reports
Sovereign Bonds: Risk-free no longer
Joseph Mariathasan looks at how investors are adapting to the new world of sovereign bond risk
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Asset Class Reports
Sovereign Bonds: The world’s shallowest cliff
Rock-bottom yields and a poor debt outlook – brought into focus by the ‘fiscal cliff’ – make US Treasuries a tough ‘safe haven’ to love, finds Joseph Mariathsan
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Asset Class Reports
Sovereign Bonds: Denmark: an unlikely haven?
Denmark’s bonds, perceived as a safe haven from volatility in the euro-zone, have the lowest yields on the market. But Pavle Sabic argues that its fundamentals versus its Nordic neighbours suggest this is not simply about credit risk
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Asset Class Reports
Sovereign Bonds: Would you credit it?
The split between Gilts and non-Gilts could be waiting to define tomorrow’s performance in UK fixed income strategies, finds Martin Steward
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Interviews
Life on planet TOBAM
Quantitative asset managers aren’t particularly noted for prioritising ESG matters.
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Special Report
As safe as houses
The fixed index-linked cashflows provided by social housing and infrastructure investments can be attractive to investors comfortable with long-term investing, finds Nina Röhrbein
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FeaturesGo with the flows
Dividends really do pay off in emerging markets. Martin Steward asks why, and what the theories tell us about how far investors should tilt towards higher yields.
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Features
If the euro breaks up
Declan O’Sullivan and Lindsay Trapp outline some of the operational challenges that fund managers could face in the event of a break-up of the single currency
