Contingent convertible (coco) bonds carry conversion risk but promise high yield with low volatility and diversification, according to Lloyd Harris, London-based fixed income fund manager at Old Mutual Global Investors.
Category: Asset Class in Focus
Looking for alpha in Japan’s small caps
Some of Japan’s under-researched small- and mid-cap companies may be hidden gems that the broader investment world knows little about, according to Sophia Li, portfolio manager at First State Stewart Asia.
JPMAM: Keep an open mind to recessionary slide
Though the firm does not expect a US recession over the next 12-18 months, Hui Tai, managing director and Asia chief investment strategist, recommends tweaking client portfolios now to adopt a more defensive position.
EM debt faces resiliency test
Despite the sell-off in emerging market debt that started at the end of April, the current environment is still resilient, according to Raoul Luttik, senior portfolio manager at Neuberger Berman.
Does low volatility mix with high dividends?
Seeyond’s Asia-focused smart beta product aims for minimum volatility with high dividend yield instead of returns based on pure fundamental stock-picking, according to Nicolas Just, deputy CEO and chief investment officer of the Natixis affiliate.
Deutsche Wealth cool on hedge funds
Deutsche Wealth is not convinced that a significant allocation to hedge funds adds value to client portfolios, according to Christian Nolting, Frankfurt-based managing director and global chief investment officer and global head of discretionary portfolio management.
Can volatility funds deliver in calm markets?
Amundi’s absolute volatility equity funds were among the best performers in 2008, the year of the global financial crisis, but have done poorly since.
Inside Threadneedle’s ‘extended alpha’ fund
Columbia Threadneedle’s 130/30 fund is a survivor among funds using the strategy, which offers the spice of a hedge fund but also some additional risk.
Jupiter takes a cooler look at Vietnam
A number of fund managers have singled out Vietnam as the most promising frontier market, but a more critical view comes from Ross Teverson, Jupiter Asset Management’s London-based head of strategy for emerging markets.
How bad news was good for Pictet AM
The recent Facebook data harvesting scandal and new data regulations from Europe that spooked investors turned out to be good news for Nolan Hoffmeyer, Geneva-based co-manager of Pictet Asset Management’s Digital Fund.
