Despite experiencing heavy losses since 2017, insurance-linked securities (ILS), especially catastrophe (cat) bonds, proved resilient through the Covid-19 pandemic, with large institutional investors throwing their weight behind the sector. 

This report details the investor appetite for ILS and how the asset class can support the growth of ESG investing. Although cat bonds have taken up most room, interest is moving beyond this sub-group and investors are building more diversified ILS portfolios. The report also outlines the need for proprietary analysis to actively manage ILS successfully. An understanding of risk is also critical as ILS managers need to make sure their investors know what to expect from this allocation. 

Hybrid business practices are coming into play, following successful vaccine roll-outs in many parts of the world, and the financial industry is adjusting to this new reality. Digitisation exercises have accelerated across the hedge fund world, with investor relations (IR) and capital raising teams becoming accustomed to handling their business remotely.  

This report considers the most significant changes brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic and how the manager-investor relationship has developed. It details the way IR teams have tackled communication and capital raising through virtual interaction. The report also further underscores the role technology has to play in this space, now and in the future.  
 

The regulatory environment in the UK is on the cusp of significant change. As the compliance deadline for the Investment Firm Prudential Regime (IFPR) looms closer, investment firms need to take action to ensure they meet this target. 

Smaller, previously exempt firms might be the ones to experience the biggest upheaval as they need to account for new risk factors and adjust their capital requirements accordingly. 

However, it's not too late to take action. This report outlines the steps firms can take to prepare for this change and the paths which will support them in this journey. 

This report examines a number of different dimensions of data management, science and analysis. It stresses the importance of protecting a firm’s data, both from external attacks and internally grown risks.

The report also outlines the growing use of natural language processing, particularly in the arena of ESG investing. As the effects of the pandemic persist, it also underscores the growing appeal of quantamental investing, which sees fundamental managers and quantitative investors working together to generate better returns for clients. 

This report outlines the benefits of moving to Florida, covering the regulatory and tax implications as well as other lifestyle advantages. The state has been very supportive of innovation and is fast building a thriving community in the finance and tech sectors.