10/31/2014
ECB Hires Managers for ABS Purchases Due to Start Next Month
The European Central Bank picked four asset managers to aid purchases of asset-backed securities that it says will start next month.
Alternative Investments
10/31/2014
BT Pension Scheme’s managers Hermes to restructure
Hermes Investment Management, the in-house fund managers running the giant BT Pension Scheme, has undergone a significant restructuring this week.
10/31/2014
Regulatory approval for Blackstone’s acquisition of Lombard International Assurance
Blackstone is the world’s largest independent alternative asset manager with assets under management of $284 billion as at 30 September 2014.
10/31/2014
Buyers home in on properties worth £1m as sales hit record
Lloyds Bank says the number of transactions involving houses valued at £1m or more across the UK has increased 46 per cent during the first half of 2014, compared to the same period last year.
10/31/2014
Harrods pays Qatari owners £118m dividend after record year
Knightsbridge store nets sum for Qatari offshore company based in Bermuda after profits increase 13% to £122.9m
10/31/2014
Premier rebrands multi-asset range
Premier Asset Management is growing rapidly
10/31/2014
UK Pensions Slow Risk-Reduction as Funding Levels Improve
Defined benefit corporate pension funds in the UK have taken their foot off the risk-reduction pedal in 2014, as funding levels have improved and the country’s economy has strengthened its recovery.
10/30/2014
Quant Hedge Fund Archipel Shuts After Top Investor Pulls Out
Archipel Asset Management AB, a Swedish hedge-fund firm that makes trades based on computer algorithms, is closing after its biggest backer pulled out, citing a lackluster performance.
10/30/2014
Platforms to launch new industry body
It supersedes a body of the same name, of which only Hargreaves Lansdown, Fidelity FundsNetwork, Cofunds, Standard Life and Old Mutual Wealth were members.
10/30/2014
Amundi teams up with energy giant EDF for new AM venture
Under the agreement, EDF will contribute investment opportunities while Amundi will handle project investment. The principle aim is to recruit retail and institutional investors.
10/30/2014
Haitong plans to buy London-based brokerage
Will pay US$20 million for the London-based brokerage Japaninvest
10/30/2014
Indexx Markets signs mandate to produce systematic indices for Sarasin & Partners
Indexx Markets will be working with the Sarasin Systematic team to deliver a range of indices covering multiple geographies, beginning with a US Efficient Strategy Index based on the constituents of the S&P500. These strategies will be available to Eu
10/30/2014
BlackRock to take on F&C’s British Assets trust
BlackRock is set to take on the mandate for the £485m British Assets investment trust from F&C Investments as the trust seeks to restructure itself as a multi-asset income product.
10/30/2014
Captives – lowering the barriers to growth
Undoubtedly it is Luxembourg’s leading insurance event and is attended by leading risk managers
10/30/2014
L&G cuts tracker costs as price war rages
Legal & General is slashing the cost of 16 trackers, taking it neck and neck with Fidelity Worldwide Investment for some funds.
10/30/2014
Pershing playing catch-up with competitors as custodian considers offering commission-free ETFs
Platforms, popular with RIAs, post tremendous growth for firms, fund managers
10/29/2014
German Black Horse family office buys Düsseldorf tower
Hamburg-based developer Momeni has sold an iconic office tower in Düsseldorf to Black Horse Investments
10/29/2014
United Ventures closes $80 mln for initial fund
Milan-based United Ventures has raised $80 million for its oversubscribed debut fund. The LPs for United Ventures One include institutions, banks and fund of funds. The fund seeks to invest in European tech startups.
10/29/2014
Carne receives approval for new AIFM manco in Channel Islands
Carne has received authorisation as a fund services business from the Jersey regulator, the Jersey Financial Services Commission (JFSC).
10/29/2014
Eastern European reinsurers poised to provide USD 100 million retro capacity in wake of new licence
One the one hand, there is the collateralised reinsurance and insurance linked securities (ILS) markets, which are growing very rapidly because of the involvement of non-insurance capital.