Smart beta has been getting smarter. Paul Forshaw looks at the evolution of smart beta approaches and consider the relevance for insurance company balance sheet investors looking for investment efficiencies.
Solvency II has been refined and reformed since it was introduced two years ago. Gareth Haslip from JP Morgan Asset Management describes the past, present and future amendments to Solvency II that will affect how insurers decide to invest their assets
Last year’s US tax law is destroying insurer demand for municipal bonds, once considered the most attractive surplus cash investment for the country’s property and casualty insurers. Sarfraz Thind reports
Draft rules suggest the capital charges of securitisations could be significantly cut this year as the European Commission takes steps to bring Solvency II in line with the STS framework. So will this spur future securitisation investment? Aggelos Andreou reports.
Scottish Widows’ decision to dump asset manager Aberdeen marked a rare public announcement by an insurer to change third-party managers. Gavin Stewart, director of asset allocation at Scottish Widows, shares insights on its next asset manager selection process with Sarfraz Thind
Johanna Köb, head of responsible investment at Zurich, talks to Cintia Cheong on the importance of adequate pricing of greenhouse gases and how investors can make a profit while doing good to the society and environment.
Equity volatility is back. After a muted 2017, things went a little haywire for equities in February. But are these tremors or the start of something bigger? And how should insurers react? By David Walker
Insurers are looking more closely than ever at the current trend of green bond investment. But is this just a fashion? And what should investors be aware of when putting money into this still nascent sector? David Turner reports
With some firms withdrawing their own investments from coal-related businesses, environmentalists are pressuring insurers to act on third-party assets. Cintia Cheong reports
With insurers showing greater appetite for private credit, authorities are keen to ensure firms are applying robust credit risk assessments – but the lack of rating agencies in the space is giving regulators and insurers a headache. Asa Gibson reports.
Insurers have been investing in exchange-traded funds (ETF) for some time. But issuing ETFs is a new phenomenon. This idea is currently taking hold in the US and it seems likely to continue to grow as the ETF market expands. So what are the benefits? Sarfraz Thind reports
The ageing population in Europe, often viewed as a great risk for the life sector, may also provide attractive investment opportunities through retirement and care home properties. Axa’s real estate business is already active in the space. Asa Gibson reports