China’s second seven percent slump spooks markets
China’s stock market slumped by 7% for the second time this week, sending all main European indices down sharply as well.
Investment
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Interest in M&A funds fades though takeovers reach all-time high
The record number of mergers and acquisition deals announced in 2015 hasn’t led to a sustained interest in merger arbitrage funds. Ucits-regulated M&A funds fell out of grace in the final months of the year, as they significantly underperformed their offshore peers.
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Oil slide could get worse, won’t get much better
The news that Brent Crude oil slipped below $35 a barrel for the first time since 2004 on Wednesday should come as little surprise.
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Be wary of companies engaged in M&A, says Cédric de Fonclare
Cédric de Fonclare, manager of the Jupiter European Opportunities Fund, explains in this video interview why he looks with suspicion at the recent wave of M&A.
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Why should you invest in an absolute return fund?
Barry Norris, manager of the Argonaut Absolute Return Fund, gives his view on what sort of return an absolute return fund should deliver. He also explains the difference between good risk and bad risk.
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European equities top fund flow charts for back-to-back months
European equity funds are once again in high demand. In November, European equities were the most popular asset class for two consecutive months for the first time since February.
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US equity tea leaves do not make for easy reading
Like any good rollercoaster, global equity markets had, by the end of the year, returned pretty much to where they started, while at the same time leaving investors somewhat shaken and a little nauseous for all the ups and downs along the way.
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BlackRock iShares see $130bn of inflows as ETF industry hits record
US funds giant BlackRock said its iShares business had seen $130bn of new inflows during 2015 as strong retail and institutional demand drove the global exchange traded funds (ETFs) to post a record annual increase of $347bn.
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It’s easy to see the attractiveness of corporate bonds, says David Roberts
David Roberts, head of fixed income at Kames Capital, argues that the choice between government bonds and corporate bonds is an easy one. He also argues eurozone investors are underestimating the dangers of inflation in 2016.
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Did investors get their fixed income outlooks right?
That bonds were not going to return a great amount of money in 2015 was not a hard call to make a year ago. But how were fund selectors and asset managers looking at fixed income at the end of last year?
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Investors keep pouring money into GARS – is that a good idea?
The SLI GARS fund was the best-selling mutual fund in Europe in November, taking in €1bn in net new money. However, there are multi-strategy funds that perform much better.
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An EM rebound, calmer commodities, and other reasons to be optimistic
I’ve lost count of the number investors who described themselves as “cautiously optimistic” in 2015, but going into 2016 maybe we should drop the caution entirely (or at least tone it down a bit).