In the second part of our two-part series on Lloyd's syndicates and their investments, David Walker analysis their portfolio allocations and performance, uncovering a treasure most asset managers would want a map to.
Matthias Henny, chief investment officer at Baloise Group talks about the challenges of operating in a negative interest rates environment, how the reallocation of assets has helped stabilise returns, and why he sees opportunities to grow external assets under management. Interview by Adam Leach
Research by Insurance Risk Data reveals the 2018 winners and losers of the mandated asset managers for Lloyd's syndicates. David Walker reports on who won which mandates, who received applause and who wasn't that lucky.
The difference in approach between insurers' risk and investment functions has been revealed at an event organised by the French institute of actuaries, in partnership with Schroders and Axa. This examined insurers' strategies to integrating environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria. Vincent Huck reports
Antonello Aquino, associate managing director for EMEA at Moody’s, speaks about the evolution of the regulatory framework for insurers in Europe, and considerations for their investments. Interview by Vincent Huck
The recession is coming in 2020, according to Guggenheim Investments and will be focused on the corporate bond sector. This, coupled with increased leverage and poorer liquidity, suggests the next downturn could be worse for US insurers than 2008. Sarfraz Thind reports
Antonello Aquino, associate managing director for EMEA at Moody’s, discusses why insurers are becoming more and more like asset managers, and the current trend towards riskier assets. Interview by Vincent Huck
Peter Cornax, senior insurance investment strategist at AllianceBernstein, looks at how technology can solve illiquidity challenges as well as make investment teams faster and smarter
Most insurers’ chief investment officers and asset managers have grown up investing during the long trend of beneficial globalisation. The trend was their friend. But as evidence of its unravelling builds, they are asking if the elastic is just stretching or about to snap back. Vincent Huck went in search of answers
With global growth expected to slow down this year and some predicting a US recession in 2020, the health of the credit market, its ability to cope with rate rises and a loss of liquidity, holds huge significance to insurers investments. Adam Leach reports
While some insurers prepare for full force hurricanes, others get ready for light showers. Insurance Risk Data reveals the extend of diversity in the stress test, and why it might be of concern. David Walker reports
US insurers are holding bigger volumes of BBB-rated corporate debt than at any time in the past. A turning credit cycle could tip significant amounts of these to junk. But while the headline figures look startling, is this really a precursor to the apocalypse or just another bad news story? Sarfraz Thind reports