Analysis

  • Pomona’s private equity niche

    28 February 2019

    Pomona Capital’s founder, Michael Granoff explains how his company has tapped into the private equity niche and how it is preparing for a potential turn in the cycle. Interview by Sarfraz Thind

  • At the helm of Europe's giant general account

    26 February 2019

    Pascal Christory, chief investment officer at Axa Group, describes the difficult balance between centralisation and flexibility in an international group's investment strategy. Interview by David Walker

  • Transitioning from Libor: complex questions and no answers

    21 February 2019

    The discontinuation of Libor will affect trillions of contracts across the global financial industry, Insurance Asset Risk reveals the scope of the impact on insurers and the unanswerable question they face in a transition period filled with uncertainty. Vincent Huck reports

  • Stormy days ahead for insurers as LGIM warns of global slowdown and credit default risks

    19 February 2019

    From slower growth in the US and China, to the huge rollback of central bank purchasing, the global investment environment is in a perilous state that leaves insurers in need of knowing their weakest links, according to Legal & General Investment Managers. Adam Leach reports on the outlook for 2019 of its CIO and deputy CIO

  • Ifrs 17 - accuracy over clarity

    14 February 2019

    Colin Dutkiewicz, chair of the life board at the UK Institute and Faculty of Actuaries cuts through the complexity of accounting standard Ifrs 17, examining its potential impact on insurers' investment strategies and asset allocation, as well as on their overall operations. Interview by Vincent Huck

  • Hard Brexit risks leaving UK insurers on a 'capital cliff edge'

    12 February 2019

    As a no-deal Brexit hovers over the financial industry like the sword of Damocles, sovereign holdings could be a bigger risk for the solvency positions of UK insurers' than for their European rivals. The Association of British Insurers wants the regulator to act, and fast

  • As Ryanair chairman schedules take-off, shareholder relations remain turbulent

    08 February 2019

    Attempts by Ryanair earlier this week to temper shareholder unrest over its governance arrangements are showing early signs of a bumpy landing with shareholders, including insurers asset management affiliates, Adam Leach reports.

  • Did you say impact?

    05 February 2019

    Every investment has an impact, so what is meant by ‘impact investing’ and how can one measure the impact of an investment. Vincent Huck reports on a new measurement framework launched by the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership

  • US insurers attraction for CLOs

    31 January 2019

    Collateralised loan obligations have been rapidly growing in US insurer portfolios as they cast off the shadow of the financial crisis. But, with a predicted downturn on the horizon, are they safe? Sarfraz Thind reports

  • Lords call for end of RPI's unwarranted windfalls in blow to insurers’ investments

    29 January 2019

    Transition to a CPI linker market is gaining traction, according to an enquiry by the UK House of Lords, but any changes would shift the balance between winners and losers, and some like Legal & General Investment Management are keen to keep the status quo, Adam Leach reports.