Analysis

• Convertible bonds shine brighter under Solvency II

  22 March 2016

  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 infrastructure both an opportunity and challenge

  16 March 2016

  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

• How does Brexit affect insurers' assets?

  09 March 2016

  Aside from a currency impact, likely effects include market volatility, a hit on UK government bonds and wider corporate spreads. Benedicte Gravrand reports

• The virtues of alternative beta

  29 February 2016

  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.

• Notional hedging of unit-linked liabilities: tread lightly

  23 February 2016

  Notional hedging can help achieve a lower capital requirement and more investment freedom. But there are a number of isues that need to be considered before moving with this ALM tool, warns advisory firm Willis Towers Watson in a report.

• Insurers raise allocations to high-dividend equity strategies

  16 February 2016

  Better liability matching, accounting and tax treatments motivate switch, say asset managers

• Japanese insurers hunt abroad as rates turn negative

  16 February 2016

  Overseas assets, products and acquisitions are proving attractive to a Japanese industry struggling under the burden of low interest rates. B. Gravrand reports.

• Illiquid assets pull in yield-hungry insurers

  10 February 2016

  As yields in conventional asset classes disappear, insurers are chasing illiquids, says J.P.Morgan. B. Gravrand reports.

• MetLife embraces utility-scale renewables

  10 February 2016

  MetLife's Stuart Ashton explains why the insurer has included utility-scale renewables, but not residential solar rooftops, among its renewables investments.

• IFRS accounting rules to shape asset allocation

  03 February 2016

  When it finally goes live, the IFRS 9 accounting rule is likely to have a notable impact on asset allocation. So what should participants be aware of? Sarfraz Thind reports