monday-morning-briefing

Monday morning briefing – February 25, 2019

Asset allocators are looking for ways to access private equity. Is Apple entering the credit card market? The number of Canada-based targets from activist investors grew in 2018. And much more in this week’s briefing.

Economic/industry news

International Economic Data Snapshot – includes aggregated data of the worldwide economy: Snapshot: International economic data

European inflation down to 1.4% in January: Top News: Eurozone consumer inflation slows to 1.4% in January

The U.S. Federal Reserve Board released its policy meeting minutes: Fed releases minutes from Jan. 29-30 policy meeting

Housing and investment risks could put the BoC on hold, for now: Bank of Canada’s Poloz says rate hike path ‘highly uncertain’

Private equity’s interest in ESG is growing: ESG a growing priority for private equity finds PwC survey

Global dividends rose 9.3% in 2018: Global dividends surged to new record in 2018: Janus Henderson

Could a lack of transparency in index creation harm investors?: What’s really in your index fund?

Exchange-traded products continued to experience robust growth: Size of exchange-traded products industry tops US$5 trillion: report

The U.K. government is looking to add more illiquid investments to defined-contribution plans: U.K. consults on incorporating illiquid assets in DC investments

The greatest benefit from ETFs is how you use them: Are ETFs about to rule the world?

News and notes (U.S.)

The Barclay Hedge Fund Index rose 3.88% in January: Hedge funds make solid start to 2019

Institutional investors plan to hold or increase their exposure to hedge funds this year: After hedge funds’ mediocre year, investors still want more

Redemptions from hedge funds were $42.3 billion in December: Hedge fund redemptions hit five-year high of USD42.3bn in December

Corporate VCs invested $52.95 billion into start-ups in 2018: The rise of corporate VC

Newer private equity funds are attracting much more capital than their predecessors: More than 90% of PE funds are outpacing their predecessors

Asset allocators are looking for ways to access private equity: McKinsey: Private equity growth drives creative fund structures

Inflows into active U.S. equity funds outpaced passively-managed funds: Active beat passive in asset flows in January: Morningstar

Mutual fund sales and performance over the past two weeks: Mutual funds scorecard: February 19 edition

Future mergers could have greater government scrutiny: What the T-Mobile, Sprint hearing means for the future of M&A in the US

The SEC issued a proposal to allow IPOs to gauge market interest before filing: SEC proposes easing IPO rules

News and notes (Canada)

CC&L launched three liquid alternative funds: CC&L Funds introduces 3 liquid alts

Provisus Wealth Management launched nine actively managed PTFs: Provisus: We’re putting our money where our mouth is

Impact investments have grown in Canada: Impact investing gains traction in Canada

The number of Canada-based targets from activist investors grew in 2018: ‘You need to watch out’: Activist investing stronger than ever in Canada, M&A lawyer says

International sub-advisors don’t improve performance: International subadvisors don’t have a performance edge

Volatility was good for some active managers in 2018: Stock-pickers need some volatility

On the pulse – New frontiers in fintech

How to take a step forward in digital banking in 2019: Digital banking strategies and investments for 2019

How private banking can benefit from digitalization: Why digitalization is the way forward for private banking and wealth management

Companies are looking toward a product-based structure to help in their digital transformation: Gartner: organisations shifting to product-centric application delivery model for digital transformation

Customers need to be shown how open banking will help them: Consumers don’t know what open banking is – and that’s OK!

Is Apple entering the credit card market?: Apple could be working with Goldman Sachs on a credit card

There is a big difference between technology and handling a customer’s money: Are you in banking or technology?

A look at what the future may hold for wealthtech: The future of wealthtech

A look back at the technological advancements in the financial services industry, and a look ahead to where the industry is going: The growth of fintech: From the first wire transfer to blockchain technology & beyond

National Bank will use AI software to help with cybersecurity: Element AI, National Bank partner on cybersecurity

Helping institutional investors with digital asset trading: Bank Frick targets institutional investors with digital asset trading

High-net-worth topics

The Mather Group has acquired family office, Astraeus Advisers: Chicago’s Mather Group buys $1 billion family office

High-net-worth clients should be looking at different types of alternative investments: Too few investors are looking beyond stocks and bonds, wealth advisor says

Manulife bolstering its services for the high-net-worth: Manulife targets Canada’s rich in industry a decade behind U.S.

Polls & surveys – What financials are saying

Important investment themes you need to know for 2019 (Raymond James): 10 hot investment themes for 2019: Raymond James

Advisor-directed clients are receptive to a fee-based structure (Cerulli Associates): Advisor-reliant clients prefer fee-based accounts: survey

Many Canadians don’t understand the difference between an RRSP and a TFSA (BMO): Better advice needed on the difference between TFSAs and RRSPs

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