Analysis

  • Stay sharp on infrastructure

    17 May 2016

    Infrastructure debt has superior credit fundamentals to the corporate bond sector, says Clara Yan, insurance asset liability management director at UK-based asset manager Schroders

  • The global trends in insurance investment strategies

    11 May 2016

    Non-US insurers are seeking greater exposure to US securities, while US firms are leading the charge for re-risking, as Benedicte Gravrand reports

  • Allianz resolute in Asian asset strategy despite South Korea sale

    04 May 2016

    Allianz's sale of its South Korean insurance and asset management businesses marked a significant retreat for the insurer. Yet, the company continues to target growth in the region. Sarfraz Thind reports

  • Zurich looking for solutions to Asian investment jam

    27 April 2016

    Dealing with low interest rates is a global issue, but in Asia Pacific there are additional challenges facing insurers, as Zurich's regional investment manager Michael Vos explains to Sarfraz Thind

  • Dipping toes in the high yield bond market

    19 April 2016

    There is a lot in favour of high yield bonds, but investments in such bonds need to be managed with great vigilance. Benedicte Gravrand reports

  • Shift towards unit-linked products is an opportunity for asset managers

    12 April 2016

    As European insurers move away from guaranteed products and towards unit-linked and hybrids, there is space for asset managers to step in, according to Cerulli Associates. Benedicte Gravrand reports

  • US insurers raise exposure to alternatives

    06 April 2016

    US insurers are increasing their exposure to alternative investments at the expense of allocations to non-performing fixed income portfolios, reports Benedicte Gravrand

  • Axa's Asia CIO gets an appreciation of the region's complexities

    30 March 2016

    Axa has made Asia one of its focus areas for expansion. The region offers huge growth potential but there are investment issues, such as diverse regulations and scarcity of assets, says regional CIO Boris Moutier. Sarfraz Thind reports

  • Convertible bonds shine brighter under Solvency II

    22 March 2016

    Finding the sweet spot between the yield of an asset and its capital charge has become a core consideration for EU insurers. Convertible bonds may represent a golden opportunity, as Benedicte Gravrand reports

  • Asian infrastructure both an opportunity and challenge

    16 March 2016

    Asian governments have been looking to spur private investment in infrastructure. But demand is somewhat restrained as tight supply and falling yields make it harder for insurance investors to access local deals. Sarfraz Thind reports