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Asset Management Europe: April 2020

The ultimate impact will depend on the magnitude and duration of isolation, but also on the extent of the destruction of demand and value chains.

Stress-related absences in financial services rises to highest level since 2008

Fox & Partners says the historical rise is partly driven by high levels of stress in the financial services industry due to heavy workloads, the emotional load of high pressure decision-making and working with challenging people.

Advisers deny flight to cash despite rise in enquiries

This was the week prime minister Boris Johnson advised the British public to avoid pubs, restaurants and theatres and told everyone who could work from home to do so.

Gartner CFO Survey Reveals That 62% of CFOs Plan SG&A Cuts This Year Due to Coronavirus Related Disruptions

CFOs Should Follow Four Cost-Cutting Tactics

Review of the Week: The Eye of the Storm

Europe’s COVID-19 cases seem to be peaking, the UK has at least another fortnight to go and America’s problems seem to be only beginning.

Opportunities in a crisis by Rupert Silver, CREDO

All of this has been happening in an environment where corporates have until recently taken on more debt to support share buybacks and to take advantage of historically low-interest rates.

Post COVID-19: Lasting Impact on Society Following Coronavirus Crisis will Create Favorable Growth Conditions for Fintech Firms, New Report Claims

It adds that the current economic uncertainty and instability has placed considerable pressure on several major business activities, including fundraising, cash management, marketing and staff management.

Sanlam’s Fourie: Why I’m happy to underperform when the market recovers

The manager of the Sanlam Global High Quality fund said he is not willing to compromise his long-term strategy for a short-term boost.

How long can Italy retain its Investment Grade status

Recently this tension has been reduced, as the vote of no confidence called by Matteo Salvini-led Lega backfired leaving them out of a ruling coalition and the conversation has now moved on.

How coronavirus will change advice firms

Likewise how much importance do clients place, particularly on that initial face-to-face contact.

‘Alarming’ number still need to coronavirus-proof their finances

“This is usually in terms of investments, savings, tax planning, pensions and retirement planning, wills, education fee planning, and foreign exchange.”

Adviser saves client from £18k market fall

But by the time the confusion was sorted, a month of market falls due to the coronavirus crisis had wiped more than £18,000 off the Isa's value, which sat at £55,700 on the day the Isa was eventually transferred (March 25).

"There’s a huge risk that some financially vulnerable members will end up in the hands of pension scammers"

In addition, as a direct result of COVID-19, we would expect to see more schemes impose statutory reductions to transfer values to reflect their worsening funding position and protect their overall finances.

March market report: How the world has changed in a month

Official infection rates in the US and Europe have now overtaken China and containment efforts through social distancing and quarantines are in effect in all major countries.

IT teams: In the eye of the storm - the importance of remaining calm

When it comes to reassuring clients, we must first be able to demonstrate we are able to work remotely

Is business-as-usual possible for advisers working from home?

One firm says it is inevitable that covid-19 will ‘substantially slow down our business’

Willis Owen reveals the best & worst sectors and funds in March 2020

March was a month to forget for most investors, with some of the worst falls seen for more than a decade.

Are family businesses better prepared to survive during economic turmoil?

The trend towards low spending is typically explained by the fact that the family is footing the bill of an expenditure.

Investment banking: a problem child for UBS and Credit Suisse

The unit is said to have earned around $ 120 million for the bank last year from trading speculative junk bonds, as Reuters wrote.

'Consumer confidence will reach record lows, with a drastic effect' - comment on UK consumer confidence figures from Close Brothers

In the coming months we expect consumer confidence to reach record lows which could have a drastic further negative effect on demand and spending.

Comment, Analysis & Research