All comment and opinions

Stefan Keller, Head of MAP Research, Lyxor Asset Management

Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

Mon, 03/10/2011 - 07:57

The once-in-a-generation uncertainty about sovereign debt has risen further as cyclical worries have resurfaced, says Stefan Keller, head of MAP research at Lyxor Asset Management…. »

US investors seek exposure to European blue chip companies with a 117% increase in DR trades

Thu, 29/09/2011 - 10:17

Despite falling equity prices across Europe, there has been a sharp rise in the purchase of European blue chip American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) – securities issued by European companies and traded on US exchanges, says Chris Hanley, Regional Manager UK and Ireland, BNY Mellon… »

John Redwood, Chairman, Evercore Pan Asset’s Investment Committee

The Euro crisis infects world markets

Tue, 27/09/2011 - 11:59

John Redwood (pictured), Chairman of Evercore Pan Asset’s Investment Committee, on the effect of the Euro crisis on world markets… »

Hedge funds are back doing what they do best

Fri, 23/09/2011 - 11:47

Morten Spenner (pictured), CEO of International Asset Management (IAM) the GBP2.8bn Fund of Hedge Funds, challenges the recent loss of faith in hedge funds and argues that they are now back doing exactly what investors expect of them… »

ECB to continue buying bonds despite Italian downgrade

Thu, 22/09/2011 - 06:00

The European Central Bank (ECB) will continue buying bonds despite Standard & Poor's decision to downgrade Italy's sovereign debt rating from A+ to A, says Schroders' Azad Zangana… »

Anne Dolan, chartered secretary, Walkers Management Services

Corporate governance and the Weavering judgement

Mon, 12/09/2011 - 06:00

Anne Dolan, a chartered secretary with Walkers Management Services in the Cayman Islands, argues that it is telling that in the recent case regarding the collapsed Macro Fixed Income Fund, which resulted in a USD111m judgement against the fund’s independent directors, significant weight was given to documentary evidence of board meetings and the way in which these meetings were conducted. »

Fabian Degen, fund manager for dividend strategies, DWS Investments

Low interest rate environment offers big opportunity for dividend investors

Fri, 09/09/2011 - 12:30

Despite recent market conditions, the current investment environment makes dividend investing attractive for several reasons, says Fabian Degen, fund manager for dividend strategies, DWS Investments… »

Thomas Becket, Chief Investment Officer of PSigma Investment Management

Long term investors should try and see through the current economic squall

Thu, 08/09/2011 - 11:16

It is very hard to know where to start. The last month has been a chaotic mix of extreme market volatility, contradictory but generally poor economic data, baffling politics and bizarre actions from governments around the world, says Thomas Becket, Chief Investment Officer of PSigma Investment Management… »

Thomas Schlebusch, CEO, Blue Ink Investments

Comment: Essential role for hedge funds in SA retirement funding industry

Tue, 06/09/2011 - 14:01

The recent high levels of volatility experienced by local and global stock markets has once again highlighted the need for investors to effectively diversify their retirement portfolios. According to Thomas Schlebusch, CEO of Blue Ink Investments, investors who wish to diversify their retirement investments should be looking to South African hedge funds, which are currently offering attractive risk adjusted returns and low volatility levels… »

Dermot Butler, chairman, Custom House Global Fund Services Ltd and Custom House Group

Comment: FATCA could well cause managers to turn their backs on the US

Mon, 05/09/2011 - 13:10

Another draconian measure is set to grace the industry – FATCA (Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act), says Dermot Butler (pictured) chairman of Custom House Global Fund Services Ltd and Custom House Group. »