City veteran Sir John Beckwith launches new asset management business November 30, 2016 Sir John Beckwith’s Pacific Investments has announced the launch of a new asset management business. Pacific Asset Management (PAM) will initially have $250m (£201m) in assets under management (AUM). Pacific Investments has previously founded Liontrust Asset Management, River & Mercantile, Nevsky Capital, Thames River Capital and Europa Capital. These businesses currently manage more than $20bn [...]
Healthcare trust to float on Friday despite falling short of £200m target November 30, 2016 Bellevue Asset Management is set to float a new investment trust on the London Stock Exchange on Friday. BB Healthcare Trust missed its target of £200m, but will list on the main market this week after raising £150m. Paul Major, who will co-manage the fund with Dr Daniel Koller, played down the £200m target, saying the minimum [...]
Who’s afraid of the big, bad pensions deficit? Contrarian stock-pickers can find hidden value in companies with large holes in their defined benefit pension funds November 30, 2016 For some UK companies, having a large pension deficit is like a proverbial albatross around the neck – unsightly and foreboding. This can make the shares appear cheap on some measures. But valuing stocks with large schemes is difficult, due to the enhanced complexity of pension accounting. Actuaries and trustees make numerous assumptions regarding future [...]
A vote for No in the Italian referendum is unlikely to precipitate “Italeave”, but could worsen the situation facing the country’s beleaguered banks November 29, 2016 Since the European sovereign debt crisis, critics of the euro have asked how long the single currency can continue when the economies which use it are on such divergent trajectories. Now, after a third Greek bailout, a Brexit vote and Donald Trump’s presidential win breathing hope into eurosceptic parties across Europe, their prophesy may be [...]
Investors should give thanks for record highs – but prepare for Hard Trump November 28, 2016 Thanksgiving, a national holiday of reconciliation, took on greater significance in the US this year as families tried to put political differences aside and find common ground in their love of turkey, stuffing and pumpkin pie. President-elect Donald Trump attempted to mend the wounds of a divisive election campaign on the eve of Thanksgiving by [...]
Meet the Edmond de Rothschild asset manager who launched a UK-focused fund just before the referendum (and doesn’t regret it) November 27, 2016 With the European Union referendum just two months away, April 2016 may have seemed like a bold time for a European asset manager to launch a new fund focusing exclusively on the UK – even if it looked like we were headed for a Remain vote. Shares in companies such as ITV, BT, and Marks [...]
Early-stage businesses could rake in £25bn next year from retail investors, who want more risk and higher returns November 25, 2016 Early-stage companies could be raking in a combined £25bn from individual investors in 2017, a new report has estimated. Retail investors are planning to take more risks next year and may be looking to early-stage companies for higher returns, according to an analysis of the sentiment and expectations of 1,000 retail investors by crowdfunding platform SyndicateRoom. [...]
Fine wine investment has leaped since Brexit: These vintages will give you the biggest return on investment November 24, 2016 The market for wine investment has risen 20 per cent in the year to date, boosted by the Brexit vote, a new report has suggested. With uncertainties in traditional markets caused by the vote to leave the European Union, investors wanting to capitalise on weak sterling are looking for alternatives. Read more: It's happening: Majestic Wine is now offering next-day [...]
Savers will be offered new government-backed investment bond next year November 23, 2016 Savers will be offered a new government backed investment bond at the next Budget, the chancellor said today. The three-year bond will offer a 2.2 per cent interest rate on deposits of up to £3,000, and will be available through NS&I. It will be open to those aged 16 and over, available for 12 months from spring [...]
“I wish we could find something”: Aberdeen Asset Management pulled out of bidding for Unicredit’s €3.5bn Pioneer fund unit November 21, 2016 Aberdeen Asset Management dropped a bid for Italian bank UniCredit’s Pioneer fund unit because the UK-listed firm could not afford the €3.5bn (£3bn) asking price. The fund manager made it through to the second round of bidding before withdrawing, chief executive Martin Gilbert revealed. Read more: Trading in Unicredit shares suspended as investors digest bank stress [...]