Analysis

• US commercial real estate: danger in disguise?

  10 July 2018

  US life insurers are big investors in commercial real estate attracted by the yield and diversification benefits they offer. But with strong indicators of the current credit cycle nearing its end, the risks attached to the sector are growing. Is it still safe to go into those waters? By Sarfraz Thind

  

• Illiquid credits tops insurers' asset class diversification plans

  05 July 2018

  The audience of the Insurance Asset Risk EMEA conference answered a series of questions on their main concerns and investment strategies going forward. Vincent Huck reports on the findings

  

• Blackstone targets insurance assets

  03 July 2018

  The insurance industry has no shortage of asset managers jostling to take on assets. So why would someone start from scratch to get into the game? Despite competition, Blackstone believes the opportunities in insurance asset management remain vast. Chris Blunt, head of the group's insurance solutions, explains the company's motivation and strategy. By Sarfraz Thind

  

• Insurers and supervisors clash over equity investments

  28 June 2018

  During a panel discussion at Insurance Europe conference, the insurance industry and the supervisory authorities clashed over the level of equity investments. Industry representatives accused the European Commission and the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority of ignoring market realities. Aggelos Andreou reports

  

• How regulatory data can unlock the door to competitive advantage

  26 June 2018

  The data in Solvency II quantitative reporting templates can be used to gain insight and edge, David Walker reports.

  

• Allianz's CIO Carsten Quitter talks technology, ESG and the relationship with Allianz's asset managers.

  21 June 2018

  In a two-part series Allianz's CIO, Carsten Quitter, speaks to Insurance Asset Risk some three years after his predecessor Andres Gruber told of his challenges. In part two, Quitter talks about the latest themes affecting his role as CIO: technology, ESG and the relationship with Allianz's asset managers. By Sarfraz Thind

  

• Argentina woes: if you get all tangled up, just tango on

  19 June 2018

  Soaring interest rates and economic turmoil are causing problems for Argentine insurers, and they must also adapt to new rules preventing them from investing in their favourite financial instrument. Vincent Huck reports

  

• Allianz's CIO talks: "I didn't come here to radically change things."

  15 June 2018

  Like Germany's national football team, Allianz is one of the most well-structured and led companies in the world. Come the final shake-up you know it will be there or thereabouts. In a two-part series Allianz's CIO, Carsten Quitter, speaks to Insurance Asset Risk some three years after his predecessor Andres Gruber told of his challenges. By Sarfraz Thind

  

• Impact investing or impact washing?

  13 June 2018

  Insurers say they can find financial value in ESG investing, but they have to be wise to investments that don't deliver on their stated goals. And while ESG can mean different things to different stakeholders, a push for standardisation is not always welcome, according to panellists at Insurance Asset Risk's 2018 EMEA conference. Vincent Huck reports

  

• How insurers can make the most of their liquid assets

  07 June 2018

  Christelle Ybanez explains why cash doesn't have to be the problem child, and how insurers can generate extra income from their liquid assets without increasing their investment risk