Rowan Chaplin, a portfolio manager for the Japan Synthetic Warrant Fund from Dejima Asset Management describes the past 30 years of the Japanese market as a “litany of disasters for many fund managers”. »

By Roger Woolman, Business Development Director, Asset Management & Alternatives, SS&C Advent – Dual-authorised “Super ManCos" are an ever growing force in the EU investment management industry. Intense competition between asset managers, compressed margins, and the search for investors and investment returns are one factor, as they continue to reduce the barriers between the traditional and alternative investment worlds. Then there is the uncertainty surrounding Brexit, and investment firms’ scramble to retain access to the European Single Market.  »

Last October saw BNP Paribas Capital Partners launch its European Special Opportunities fund. Gilles Guerin, CEO, explains that Capital Partners is a subsidiary of BNP Paribas Asset Management, focusing on helping investors make allocations to alternative managers. »

Luxembourg’s funds industry enjoyed a good period of growth last year, a period during which assets under management grew, on average by 15 per cent, asset flows grew by 5 per cent, profits grew by 10 per cent, while margins were broadly maintained somewhere close to 37 per cent.  »

December saw the UK’s Competition & Markets Authority (CMA) make its final report on its Investment Consultant Market Investigation, studying the relationship between asset managers and consultants in the UK. »

EmergeVest, an active investor in business services, particularly international supply chain opportunities, spanning logistics and related technology around the world, has recently announced the creation of EV Cargo. »

Robert Gelb of family-focused intelligent messaging start-up Kindaba writes on the challenges and triumphs facing the modern entrepreneur… »