Why is private equity surviving the storm? February 24, 2017 First came Brexit, then came Trump and with several other European elections in the pipeline, who knows what’s next? For institutional investors looking to ply their trade in the face of such volatility and uncertainty, sentiment towards various asset classes is likely to chop and change. However, private equity is one asset class about which [...]
Coup de grace: Are investors misjudging Marine Le Pen’s chances of victory in France’s presidential election? February 21, 2017 "Fool me twice, shame on me,” goes the idiom. Caught out by shock victories for the Leave and Trump campaigns in 2016, investors are determined not to let political risk get the better of them a third time as the French presidential election approaches this spring. Since the beginning of the year, French government bonds [...]
Asset managers await City watchdog’s final industry report after closing comments on interim recommendations February 20, 2017 The City watchdog today closed the consultation on its interim asset management market study report and will release its final recommendations in the second quarter of this year. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published its interim report in November, criticising weak price competition, transparency issues, conflicts of interests and sustained profitability of asset management companies. Read [...]
Look away, investors: Global dividend levels barely budged in 2016 February 20, 2017 Global dividends inched up just 0.1 per cent in 2016, dragged down by lack of growth in shareholder payouts from US companies and sharp downturns from the UK and Australia. The figures released today as part of the Henderson Global Dividend Index found dividends around the world reached $1.154 trillion (£930bn) last year. While US dividends still [...]
Watch your step: Shareholder activism is on the rise and UK companies are among the most vulnerable February 15, 2017 UK companies beware: activist investors may be coming for you. New global research out today has identified the UK as one of the most at-risk countries for shareholder activism. Outside of the US, the dominant market for activism, an FTI Consulting activism tracker found 342 global campaigns last year, compared with 70 in 2010. Read [...]
Schroders and Henderson bosses take on Investment Association board positions February 15, 2017 The bosses of Schroders and Henderson are taking on new positions at fund management body the Investment Association. Schroders’ group chief executive Peter Harrison will be chair of the organisation’s board, while Henderson’s chief executive Andrew Formica will be his deputy. Read more: UK investor confidence hits highest level since Brexit vote They will take [...]
UK investors are at their most confident since the Brexit vote, despite continued uncertainty February 15, 2017 UK investors are becoming increasingly confident despite continued uncertainty around Brexit, new figures show. Investor sentiment has risen to its highest level since before the EU referendum, according to a Lloyds Bank survey of more than 4,000 adults. Overall, Lloyds reported net investor sentiment was at 6.1 per cent in February, up from 5.7 per cent in [...]
Almost half of financial advisers think Mifid II will hurt the industry, but a similar proportion aren’t sure what it will mean for them February 14, 2017 Almost half of financial advisers are worried a tougher set of rules for the sector, which are due to come into force in less than a year, will hurt their industry, but a similar proportion also still don't know what it will mean for their own business. Financial firms will have to comply with the [...]
As the Co-Op Bank goes on sale, is now the time to buy UK banks? February 14, 2017 It wasn't hard to spot the irony when Paul Flowers, chairman of the avowedly ethical Co-Operative Bank and a methodist minister, was arrested for drug possession in 2013. In the same year, the mutual Co-operative Group ceded control of the ailing lender to its bondholders, after a massive £1.5bn hole was discovered in its balance [...]
Investment company targeting Middle East e-commerce floats on Nex February 10, 2017 A new investment company targeting the Middle East e-commerce sector is listing on the Nex Growth Market today. Dealings of ordinary shares on the company, Indigo Holdings, will start at 8am. Read more: British exporters look to Middle East and Asia to avoid Brexit uncertainty The investment firm has raised more than £800,000 from the [...]