Brian Bollen's Blog

On the impact of Trump

As UK prime minister Theresa May meets the new US president, Schroders' UK equities fund manager David Docherty returns from a visit to the US where he gained high level insight on the impact of the new administration on deregulation, tax reform, healthcare and global trade, all of which will have an impact on key investment sectors. 

Nicolaas Marais to head Wells Fargo Asset Management Multi-Asset

Wells Fargo Asset Management (WFAM) says that Nicolaas Marais has been appointed as President.

What Wood will do next

The mystery of what Tim Wood might do after resigning his position at RBC Investor and Treasury Services recently has now been resolved.

China takes over from America

Jan Dehn, head of research at Ashmore, suggests that we are witnessing the ‘changing of the guard’ as China formally takes over from America to become the world’s undisputed leader on economic issues. He discusses China’s focus on reforms, and what the future has in store for these two hegemonic nations.

 

Sauntering down the path to civil war

The Supreme Court has delivered pretty much the verdict on Article 50 that I expected: an Act of Parliament will be required even to invoke Article 50, let alone take the UK out of the European Union. The decision makes fascinating reading.

Gilshan to boost SLI ESG

Standard Life Investments is to strengthen its ESG (environmental, social and corporate governance) Investment Team with the appointment of Deborah Gilshan as Governance & Stewardship Director.  She will join the company in May.

 

Unprecedented access to Chile

International investors will be able to access the domestic Chilean capital markets with increased ease, as of February 1 as a result of close co-operation between the Chilean Ministry of Finance and Euroclear to align Chile's post-trade processes with international standards.

Five things I learnt at Davos

Populism, automation, regime changes, future forecasting and long-term investing: Huw van Steenis, Global Head of Strategy at Schroders, shares his perspectives from the 2017 World Economic Forum meeting.

Aquila Capital opens office in Norway

Alternative investment specialist Aquila Capital reports the opening of an office in Oslo, saying this demonstrates the firm’s ongoing commitment to the Norwegian and the Nordic market.

NN IP sees 12 percent growth

Consensus growth estimates of a 12% (repeat 12%) rise in earnings this year for the eurozone and the US are realistic and could even be revised up depending on the direction of interest rates, oil prices and the strength of the economy, according to NN Investment Partners.

Stronger Chinese growth has downsides

Chinese gross domestic product growth was stronger in the final quarter of 2016, but there are few signs of the promised rebalancing of the economy, notes Schroders emerging markets economist Craig Botham.

No Harry for the Inferno

Prince Harry will not be taking part in this year's Inferno Downhill Race, which takes place tomorrow (January 21), according to Cleeves Palmer, president of the Kandahar Ski Club, which started the race in 1931.

Davos comments on Brexit impact on banks

Comments at the Davos world economic forum by investment bankers about the possibility of relocating employees from the UK to other EU financial centres have triggered comments from (inter alia) a global law firm and executive recruitment firm on the movement they are seeing from banks’ in their respective networks in regards to relocation strategies.

Fifth straight growth quarter for Guernsey funds

Guernsey’s fund industry has enjoyed five consecutive quarters of growth according to the latest figures.

CNP Assurances adopts CACEIS reporting

CNP Assurances has decided to adopt CACEIS’s consolidated reporting service which mirrors institutional investors’ positions held with other financial institutions.

SIX x-clear further extends clearing services

SIX x-clear Ltd – the clearing arm of SIX Securities Services – is now able to provide clearing services for the Nasdaq Nordic cash equity markets (including exchange-traded funds).

PIMCO launches ESG platform

Global investment management firm PIMCO says it has launched a dedicated Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) investment platform globally, offering a range of fixed income solutions to investors seeking attractive returns while making a positive social impact. 

Fundamentals matter more than Trump uncertainty

Financial markets are more focused on fundamentals – which are generally improving - than the uncertainty created by the ascendancy of US president-elect Donald Trump, according to NN Investment Partners.

What could be more glorious?

Readers of the Morning Porridge will be familiar with the concepts of game theory.

WH Group goes the whole hog with BNY Mellon

 BNY Mellon has been appointed by WH Group Limited as depositary bank for its American depositary receipt (ADR) program, replacing previously unsponsored ADR facilities.