Content (1323)
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White papersFed cuts, keeps a balanced tone
The Federal Reserve (Fed) reduced its target federal funds rate by 25bp at its December policy meeting. Chair Powell acknowledged that risks to both sides of the Fed’s dual mandate — inflation and labour markets — remain. However, we believe some signals from the Fed suggest labour markets are weaker than current data indicates.
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White papersEuropean bonds in 2026 and beyond: strong supply, strong demand
European government bond indices are likely to expand in 2026 due to high fiscal deficits in the largest European economies and a continued trend towards more euro-denominated public issuance. Demand from the ECB will shrink further due to quantitative tightening. However, repatriation from European investors and more purchases by insurers and pension funds could be enough to meet the increased suppl
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White papersGermany: from crisis comes opportunity
The German economy has entered a phase of structural stagnation. Growth remained weak in 2025, following two consecutive years of recession. The export sector and industry as a whole are in crisis. The shift in fiscal policy at the beginning of the year, coupled with the relaxation of the debt brake rule, is expected to boost growth in 2026, but to what extent?
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White papersCross Asset Investment Strategy - December 2025
Topic of the month - Germany: from crisis comes opportunity
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White papersEuropean Securitisation reforms: Strategic investment insights for insurers
Securitisation is making a strategic comeback in Europe. On 29 October 2025, the European Commission published a Delegated Regulation amending Solvency II, significantly lowering the standard formula Spread SCR for securitisation investments.
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White papersESG Thema #22 - Closing the gender gap in credit investing
Persistent gender disparities in economic opportunity and access to finance continue to constrain global growth and resilience – particularly in emerging markets, where institutional barriers remain deeply entrenched. According to the World Bank’s 2024 “Women, Business and the Law” report, eliminating discriminatory laws and practices that hinder women’s participation in the workforce could increase global GDP by over 20%, effectively doubling the global growth rate over the next decade. Reducing gender employment gaps could raise GDP per capita by an average of 35%, with productivity gains from workplace diversity contributing over half that value.
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White papersCatalyzing capital for gender equality: A guide to scaling gender-inclusive investing
Gender lens investing has traditionally focused on use-of-proceeds instruments such as social and sustainability bonds that earmark a portion of proceeds for gender-focused initiatives. These predominantly corporate-issued instruments, though still a small share of the overall market, have grown steadily in recent years - from roughly USD 5 billion outstanding in 2020 to nearly USD 15 billion by the end of 2023. They play a critical role in catalyzing awareness, innovation, and market credibility, with built-in accountability and transparency mechanisms that remain central to advancing gender-lens investing.
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White papersNavigating equity risk in evolving capital frameworks: the case of targeted equity SCR overlay
Navigating an evolving regulatory landscape, insurers worldwide face a crucial challenge: how to efficiently manage the capital required to support equity investments without sacrificing potential returns.
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White papersJapan bond yields on the rise
Yields on Japan’s two‑year bonds touched their highest levels since 2007, on market expectations of a rate hike later this month. While the short end (2‑year) is more sensitive to policy‑rate moves, yields on 10‑year and 30‑year bonds have also risen amid concerns about the government’s expansionary fiscal policy and high public‑debt levels.
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White papersPension Funds Letter 25 - Dynamic thinking - A playbook for pension resilience
Endurance has been a watchword for markets in 2025. As we shift to a multipolar world, this new regime is being driven by innovation and defined by, what we are naming, “controlled disorder”. Despite repeated shocks, the tech-led transformation, fiscal stimulus and industrial policy are sustaining economic activity. New winners are emerging. As we advance across this unfamiliar territory, diversification and selectivity remain the most effective defense.
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White papersDynamic asset allocation on the rise as pension plans face an era of controlled disorder
The new regime might well witness fiscal dominance, rising inflation, trade tensions and pronounced volatility.
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White papersGlobal Investment Views - December 2025
The year is drawing to a close with most risk assets in positive territory, and global stocks and metal prices seeing multiple highs. Even the longest US government shutdown in history didn’t curb market enthusiasm. We think markets have been looking through the weakness in the belief that monetary and fiscal policy levers will be available for support, that profitability of AI investments is almost a given, and that corporate earnings will continue to exceed expectations, following a strong results season in the US, somewhat less so in Europe. The tariffs’ impact on consumption is also largely being ignored.
