Stay sharp on infrastructure
Infrastructure debt has superior credit fundamentals to the corporate bond sector, says Clara Yan, insurance asset liability management director at UK-based asset manager Schroders
Infrastructure debt has superior credit fundamentals to the corporate bond sector, says Clara Yan, insurance asset liability management director at UK-based asset manager Schroders
Non-US insurers are seeking greater exposure to US securities, while US firms are leading the charge for re-risking, as Benedicte Gravrand reports
Allianz's sale of its South Korean insurance and asset management businesses marked a significant retreat for the insurer. Yet, the company continues to target growth in the region. Sarfraz Thind reports
Dealing with low interest rates is a global issue, but in Asia Pacific there are additional challenges facing insurers, as Zurich's regional investment manager Michael Vos explains to Sarfraz Thind
There is a lot in favour of high yield bonds, but investments in such bonds need to be managed with great vigilance. Benedicte Gravrand reports
As European insurers move away from guaranteed products and towards unit-linked and hybrids, there is space for asset managers to step in, according to Cerulli Associates. Benedicte Gravrand reports
US insurers are increasing their exposure to alternative investments at the expense of allocations to non-performing fixed income portfolios, reports Benedicte Gravrand
Axa has made Asia one of its focus areas for expansion. The region offers huge growth potential but there are investment issues, such as diverse regulations and scarcity of assets, says regional CIO Boris Moutier. Sarfraz Thind reports
Finding the sweet spot between the yield of an asset and its capital charge has become a core consideration for EU insurers. Convertible bonds may represent a golden opportunity, as Benedicte Gravrand reports
Asian governments have been looking to spur private investment in infrastructure. But demand is somewhat restrained as tight supply and falling yields make it harder for insurance investors to access local deals. Sarfraz Thind reports
Aside from a currency impact, likely effects include market volatility, a hit on UK government bonds and wider corporate spreads. Benedicte Gravrand reports
Alternative beta is increasingly gaining traction among institutional investors and is particularly relevant to mitigate current equity-related risks. Chris Stevens, senior associate at London-based financial advisor bfinance, explains why.