Analysis

  • Mortgaging the future

    10 October 2016

    Insurers are realising gains on fixed-income assets faster than ever before. It is a risky strategy, with little regard for future profitability. Sarfraz Thind reports.

  • The high yields and low defaults of taxable muni bonds

    05 October 2016

    With a long record of above average returns and strong credit quality, the US's little-known taxable municipal bond market offers non-US insurers a safe route to yield, says Eaton Vance's Michael Sullivan.

  • Why bond market liquidity is back on the worry list

    28 September 2016

    JP Morgan Asset Management's Prashant Sharma and Bryan Wallace on why insurance investors must accept structurally lower liquidity in bond markets, and how they can navigate the new asset landscape.

  • Getting the measure of credit downgrade risk

    21 September 2016

    Investors are questioning the impact of credit downgrades on insurers' Solvency II balance sheets. Hugo Coelho investigates how firms are gauging this risk and why they resist putting a figure on it.

  • The opportunities and obstacles of multi-asset portfolios

    14 September 2016

    Irrational pessimism and excessive caution is inhibiting insurance investors, while regulatory ignorance is blocking an escape from low yields through multi-asset portfolios, says Hani Redha.

  • Hedge fund reinsurers feel the heat

    07 September 2016

    Poor investment performance and tight reinsurance markets have squeezed returns for hedge fund reinsurers. With some already exiting the market, what for the future? Sarfraz Thind reports.

  • Quasi-government loans: an elusive illiquid

    17 August 2016

    Supply of much-wanted government-backed loans is short, but the UK's referendum may change that to the benefit of life insurers. Asa Gibson reports.

  • Upholding a duty to ESG investing

    10 August 2016

    NN's chief investment officer Jelle van der Giessen on investing responsibly in tough economic times. Asa Gibson reports.

  • Bank of England to put the squeeze on UK insurers

    03 August 2016

    Monetary easing may include fresh round of asset purchases. Hugo Coelho reports

  • Leveraged loans an asset in waiting

    27 July 2016

    Leveraged loans are often perceived as riskier than equivalent high-yield bonds, but market participants believe this is unfair and the asset is due a revaluation. Sarfraz Thind reports

Most Read
  1. Insurers eyeing private markets, Schroders survey finds
  2. Complacency is key risk to watch for, Swiss Re's Haegeli warns
  3. Hanwha Life gets US financial sector foothold with acquisition
  4. Aegon UK's head of responsible investment steps down
  5. Manulife appoints new CEO
  6. Gresham House appoints director of global natural capital
  7. Tokio Marine steps up strategic equity sell-down plans
  8. SLAM acquires London care home for £11.25m
  9. Investments blow tailwinds in three MS&AD units, in 1H results
  10. AEW acquires logistics asset near Frankfurt