Sarfraz Thind

• Safety in Danish mortgage bonds

  07 August 2018

  Danish mortgage bonds have sparked a flurry of interest from foreign insurance investors with their AAA-rating, long tenors and the crucial yield pick-up in a return-starved market. These days, the market is seen as even more attractive by those who fear a meltdown of the euro currency. By Sarfraz Thind

  

• 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

  

• 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

  

• 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

  

• Solvency II data burden challenging insurance investors

  18 June 2018

  PRA and Eiopa unlikely to have dialogue over data collection issue any time soon

• 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

  

• More volatility to come, Aviva Investors CEO warns

  13 June 2018

  Rising rates and quantitative easing slow down to cause sustained turbulence

• Insurers near the end of diversification journey

  11 June 2018

  Firms struggling to find new asset classes to invest in

• Inflation risk key for global markets, says Swiss Re's Frey

  11 June 2018

  US government running out of wiggle room in event of next crisis

• Italy threatens European contagion, says Pimco

  30 May 2018

  Largest bond fund manager sees potential of Italian risk spreading across Eurozone