UK bond chief expresses doubts over green gilts January 20, 2020 The head of the UK’s debt management office (DMO) has questioned the case for issuing “green” government bonds, calling it a “symbolic” step unless investors were willing to pay more for the gilts. Sir Robert Stheeman told the Financial Times the issuing of “green gilts” — government debt where proceeds are spent on environmentally-sustainable projects [...]
Deep in the weeds: How to solve the legal problem of investing in cannabis January 20, 2020 A growing controversy exists which is being discussed with increased frequency by commentators concerning the restrictions on UK firms that wish to invest in the overseas cannabis industry. The controversy arises from the uncertainty regarding the legality of investing in a foreign company, based somewhere that cannabis is legal. In the UK, cannabis and synthetic [...]
Gold is the new gold: Why the safe haven investment could shine in 2020 January 18, 2020 The start of 2020 has certainly been a rude awakening for traders returning to work after the Christmas break. Oil prices spiked after the US assassination of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani ignited tensions in the Middle East. Equities were shaken, and investors flocked to safe haven assets in a bid to shelter from the storm. [...]
KKR raises $2.2bn for second next-gen technology growth fund January 15, 2020 Investment firm KKR has closed its second Next Generation Technology Growth fund at $2.2bn (£1.7bn) — over three times the size of its predecessor. The fund will be dedicated to technology growth equity investment opportunities in Europe, North America and Israel, KKR said. Read more: World’s largest hedge fund sees gold price rising 30 per [...]
World’s largest hedge fund sees gold price rising 30 per cent amid global uncertainty January 15, 2020 The co-chief investment officer of the world’s biggest hedge fund has said gold could surge to a record high above $2,000 an ounce as global political uncertainties increase. “There is so much boiling conflict,” Greg Jenson, who helps oversee over $160bn at Connecticut-based Bridgewater Associates, told the Financial Times. Read more: Gold and oil prices [...]
Ashmore assets under management near $100bn after strong inflows January 15, 2020 Positive investor sentiment towards emerging markets has helped boost specialist asset manager Ashmore close to the $100bn (£77bn) assets under management (AUM) milestone. In an update to the stock exchange today, Ashmore reported a 7.1 per cent increase in AUM, which jumped $6.5bn in the three months to 31 December to $98.4bn. Read more: Provident [...]
Blackrock: Asset management titan’s quarterly profits jump 40 per cent January 15, 2020 Blackrock has reported a 40.3 per cent rise in quarterly profit and its strongest ever inflows as investors poured more money into the investment titan’s exchange-traded funds (ETFs) amid concerns over slowing global growth. Net income at the world’s largest asset manager jumped to $1.3bn (£999m) in the three months ending 31 December, up from [...]
Blackrock takes tougher stance on climate change after campaigner pressure January 14, 2020 Blackrock has announced it will put environmental sustainability at the core of its investment strategy, following criticism the asset management titan has failed to use its power to combat climate change. The world’s largest asset manager announced a sweeping overhaul in a bid to position itself as a sustainable investment leader, pledging to take steps [...]
What Blackrock’s climate change strategy overhaul actually means January 14, 2020 Blackrock, the world’s largest asset manager, today announced that it will make environmental sustainability the core goal of its investment strategy. The investment titan, which manages $7 trillion (£5.4 trillion), has pledged to overhaul its investment practices and introduce new investment products as part of what founder and chief executive Larry Fink called “a fundamental [...]
Polar Capital assets edge up despite challenging quarter January 9, 2020 Polar Capital has reported an increase in assets under management (AUM) during the first nine months of its financial year, despite having a “challenging” third quarter. The investment manager’s AUM climbed 2.8 per cent between 1 April and 31 December to hit £14.2bn. Read more: Profit dips as Polar Capital suffers £448m outflows Polar suffered [...]