insights.

Sustainability: the economic argument for investors

Sustainability: the economic argument for investors

The world of finance needs to throw its weight behind the transition to renewable energy and combatting climate change.

Urgency for positive returns as Japanisation grips

Urgency for positive returns as Japanisation grips

We assess the Japanisation of the Eurozone amid negative rates, low growth and low inflation. What strategies could help fixed income investors find positive real returns.?

Introducing the sustainability revolution

Introducing the sustainability revolution

For an economy to be sustainable, it needs to encourage growth in a way that's both fair and inclusive and in a way that also doesn't have a negative impact on the biosphere. 

The two sides of climate change: mitigation and adaptation

The two sides of climate change: mitigation and adaptation

Climate change has immediate economic and financial implications and is here to stay – and we must be responsive to it through mitigation and adaptation efforts.

Silvercrest supports the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures

Silvercrest supports the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures

We welcome the final recommendations of the Financial Stability Board (FSB) and the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD).

The sustainability revolution: the state of transition

The sustainability revolution: the state of transition

We have arrived in an era of socio-environmental ‘crisis’ in which our social and economic structures are no longer fit for purpose. These issues are feeding into slower global growth and financial market volatility. Sustainability is now a central issue for investors that will increasingly determine which companies will win or lose over the long-term, and will drive future returns for investors.

Eagles and Ostriches: the future of sustainable investment

Eagles and Ostriches: the future of sustainable investment

In a world where sustainability increasingly determines corporate outcomes, we believe there are two main types of companies: Eagles and Ostriches.

Draghi's farewell bazooka: ECB QE here to stay

Draghi's farewell bazooka: ECB QE here to stay

Mario Draghi may soon bid farewell to the ECB, but QE appears here to stay. The bank unveiled a broad package of policy measures aimed at re-anchoring inflation expectations.

Asian credit: emergence of a new asset class

Asian credit: emergence of a new asset class

As Asian borrowers increasingly tap into the hard currency debt markets, opportunities are multiplying in corporate bonds. We believe global credit investors should build a dedicated allocation to Asian credit.

Silver spending

Silver spending

The older generation are growing wealthier. This presents a number of compelling investment opportunities in the consumer discretionary space.

The nuts and bolts of a multi-asset strategy

The nuts and bolts of a multi-asset strategy

In this Q&A, client portfolio manager Alain Forclaz outlines the essentials of LOIM’s multi-asset strategy. This discussion covers how we optimise the allocation, why we prioritise liquid instruments, what our drawdown control entails and ways we cater to different risk/return appetites.

Markets in a Milky Way warp

Markets in a Milky Way warp

The Milky Way has been found to be warped. We believe financial markets and the economy are too, and outline the distortions.

Crossover: the credit sweet spot

Crossover: the credit sweet spot

The combination of better valuations, improving fundamentals, low risk and diversification makes crossover the sweet spot of the credit spectrum, in our view.

What’s next for athleisure and how are prestige brands taking it forwards?

What’s next for athleisure and how are prestige brands taking it forwards?

Athleisure has proven to be popular. Prestige brands that are capable of establishing and maintaining a competitive position offer investment opportunities.

Silvercrest further strengthens its commitment to sustainability with two strategic hires

Silvercrest further strengthens its commitment to sustainability with two strategic hires

Silvercrest is pleased to announce the arrival of Dr. Christopher Kaminker and Ebba Lepage as it further strengthens its sustainability capabilities and offering.

The Fed needs a Draghi

The Fed needs a Draghi

The Federal Reserve cut interest rates for the first time since 2008 on Wednesday. Federal Reserve Chair Powell may have some lessons to learn from the ECB.

Making investment work for a cleaner planet

Making investment work for a cleaner planet

Climate change represents a challenge that demands a global response. Impact bonds can generate environmental and social externalities in a liquid portfolio.

Swiss bright spots amid global uncertainty

Swiss bright spots amid global uncertainty

How will the SNB navigate between Swiss bright spots and global geopolitical uncertainty? We discuss growth, inflation, interest rates and SARON.

A common language for financial markets will drive green investment

A common language for financial markets will drive green investment

The European Union needs an extra €180bn a year to meet its energy and climate goals by 2030. A common language is a crucial step towards making this a reality.

Green bonds are helping investors take action against climate change

Green bonds are helping investors take action against climate change

Climate change is a pressing sustainability challenges. Green bonds are an increasingly important instrument for investors to use to avoid carbon emissions.

The sustainabilty storm

The sustainability storm

Climate change represents a systemic risk that cannot be diversified away. Investment professionals have a fiduciary duty to take climate risks into account. 

An inflection point for global trade and policy

An inflection point for global trade and policy

We see global monetary policy stimulus due to a slowdown in growth.  Trade news flow seems out of synch with central banks.

Drawdown control solutions: beware opportunity costs

Drawdown control solutions: beware opportunity costs

We approach drawdown control with a view to minimising opportunity costs while delivering downside protection. 

Does company size determine performance?

Does company size determine performance?

The Swiss Equities team shows how structural megatrends will have a strong impact on the sustainable success of Swiss companies in the future. 

Convertible bonds: a low governance equity hedge

Convertible bonds: a low governance equity hedge

Convertible bonds can mitigate exposure to equity volatility, both in terms of higher Sharpe ratios and lower governance features compared to equity options.  

Credit and sustainability: ignorance is risk

Credit and sustainability: ignorance is risk

We integrate sustainability into the way we invest in corporate bonds, seeing it as a key factor to mitigating risk without compromising returns.

How do you bring sustainability into investment?

How do you bring sustainability into investment?

Don Gerritsen, Head of Benelux for the PRI, explains how asset owners are developing their approach to sustainable investing, and what challenges remain.

Europe's action plan for sustainable finance

Europe's Action Plan for sustainable finance

Maarten Vleeschhouwer on how the EU is working to incentivise and channel private sector investment into green and sustainable development.

US pivot confirmed; Widespread easing bias

US pivot confirmed; Widespread easing bias

The US Federal Reserve confirmed its dovish pivot on interest rates and cemented the tone for a widespread easing bias after the recent ECB meeting.

ESG integration for passive portfolios

ESG integration for passive portfolios

Head of Institutional Sales for Switzerland, Charles Morel, on how Silvercrest improves the sustainability of a passive portfolio through low tracking-error approach.

India elections – bigger mandate for Modi and our wish-list for the Indian credit story

India elections – bigger mandate for Modi and our wish-list for the Indian credit story

Prime Minister Modi won with a landslide victory for the second time and this warrants a deeper appreciation of the paradigm shift in the politics of India.

Digitalisation, equality, India

Digitalisation, equality, India

Newly-developed digital infrastructure has helped boost India's booming economy. Several trends continue to gather momentum, opening up a number of investment opportunities.

ECB president Draghi opens the door for more easing – We Expect Another Dose of QE

ECB president Draghi opens the door for more easing – We Expect Another Dose of QE

It appears the multitude of uncertainties are starting to catch-up with the European Central Bank (ECB).

Shifting EM correlations create opportunities

Shifting EM correlations create opportunities

Emerging Markets currency correlations have weakened over the past decade. What does this mean for investors?

Europe: populism, ECB succession and that empty toolkit

Europe: populism, ECB succession and that empty toolkit

A discussion of how populism is shaping key Eurozone institutions, and the potential impact on ECB succession and policy.

Central banks need to respond to populism

Central banks need to respond to populism

Rising inequality has been an important factor in the rise in populism. It's time to rethink central banks’ function to reflect Behavioral Macroeconomics.

Closing the loop

Closing the loop

Climate change has the potential to be highly value destructive, but also highly value generative as companies innovate and adapt to a low-carbon future.

How to improve the sustainability of a passive portfolio

How to improve the sustainability of a passive portfolio

Some of the key considerations investors face in assessing the most appropriate approach to improving the sustainability of a passive portfolio.

Changing supply trends in Asian credit

Changing supply trends in Asian credit

Changing bond supply trends in Asian credit, denominated in USD, could provide opportunities for investors, we believe

The long and short of it

The long and short of it

Due to the inverse Treasury yield curve, an ultra low duration strategy in USD could improve fixed income returns while reducing duration risk. 

How we approach convertibles

How we approach convertibles

Our way of investing in convertible bonds aims to optimise the asymmetry of the asset class by finding the most balanced issuer profiles.

Structural trends and Swiss equities

Structural trends and Swiss equities

Johan Utterman's team identifies companies that are successfully exploiting the opportunities arising from long-term transformative trends.

The path of renewable energy

The path of renewable energy

The growth of renewable and low carbon energy is an important means of mitigating climate change. However, massive flows of finance are needed to accelerate renewable energy investments.

The future is digital

The future is digital

Digitalisation has had a tremendous impact on our world and continues to reshape every conceivable aspect of our social and economic norms. This has important implications for the vast majority of companies across all sectors. In our view, the investment process needs to reflect this rapid evolution, which is still in its early days.

The cost of air pollution

The cost of air pollution

Governments worldwide have put in place substantial measures aimed at curbing toxic emissions. The ramifications of the matter are not necessarily well understood or properly priced-in, presenting a number of investment opportunities.

Sustainable investing: a real opportunity for investors

Sustainable investing: a real opportunity for investors

There are a number of tectonic shifts currently transforming our global economy. There will soon be 10 billion people on the planet wanting access to decent living standards, education, healthcare and social security, as well as to a certain standard of consumer goods and services.

Rethink your approach to corporate credit

Rethink your approach to corporate credit

Silvercrest discusses how a cautious move lower in credit ratings could enhance fixed income returns for only a moderate increase in risk.

The silver dollar

The silver dollar

An aging population has the potential to drive a proliferation of sustainable investment opportunities in the financials sector.

Assessing corporate leverage trends

Assessing corporate leverage trends

We have a different perspective on corporate debt leverage and look at alternate ways to assess leverage besides the typical Debt-to-EBITDA measure.  

Leverage matters

Leverage matters

We do not believe that high leverage levels globally will cause the next crisis, but we caution that high leverage increases the global economy’s vulnerability to shocks.