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Alexandre Davis (Wellington Management): “Investing Responsibly Means Focusing on Long-Term Value Creation”

Alexandre Davis responsible investing — Photo courtesyAlexandre Davis, Investment Director at Wellington Management

In a context marked by market volatility, geopolitical uncertainty, and constant regulatory changes, responsible investment remains a fundamental pillar for those seeking sustainable long-term returns. In the view of Alexandre Davis, Investment Director at Wellington Management, SRI continues to be synonymous with long-term vision and structural investment opportunities. We discussed this in our latest interview.

What Has Happened to Sustainable and Responsible Investment? Has It Been Pushed to the Background?

For me, investing responsibly means focusing on long-term value creation, which involves understanding not only a company’s revenues and products but also its supply chains. This goes beyond short-term disruptions and takes into account structural changes, such as the rise of protectionism since the COVID pandemic or earlier political decisions. For example, we invested in a life sciences company that, as early as 2017, decided to move its production out of China in response to rising tensions between China and the United States, which have only intensified since then. This kind of forward-looking risk management is at the heart of our engagement efforts. We spend a great deal of time in dialogue with companies to help ensure they are as well-positioned as possible to achieve long-term success and remain resilient amid a changing global environment.

Given the Current Context, What Elements or Factors Could Act as Catalysts for Investors to Reprioritize Responsible Investment?

Ultimately, investors rightly focus on returns, as they are the main benchmark for evaluating the success of an investment. Although the environment has been more challenging in the short term for those applying responsible investment criteria—due to a highly concentrated market performance—we continue to see long-term opportunities, especially as the market broadens. Companies with a strategic long-term orientation and that aim to maximize resource efficiency should be better positioned than those that do not. Fundamentals, profit generation, and the ability to generate alpha for our clients are key elements in continuing to demonstrate the relevance of responsible investment in today’s context.

How Can Sustainable Equity Portfolios Align With Current Macroeconomic Conditions?

Every day brings new headlines about tariffs, regulation, geopolitics, conflicts, climate change, or artificial intelligence. The pace of change is constant, which requires executive teams and boards of directors to ensure their companies can adapt and evolve to remain competitive. Meanwhile, the characteristics that we believe increase the likelihood of long-term success remain the same: a sustainable competitive advantage (moat), a strong balance sheet, high-quality leadership, an empowered board, a stakeholder-oriented vision, and disciplined capital allocation that preserves and enhances value over time. These are the qualities we seek—and the standard we continue to demand—in all portfolio companies. When strong leadership reinvests wisely and with a long-term vision, it activates what we call the stewardship flywheel: a virtuous cycle of value creation in which leaders allocate capital to sustain and enhance future returns.

We Often Talk About Responsible Investment, but What Does the Stewardship Approach Promoted by the Fund Manager Really Add?

Our approach is based on three fundamental pillars: long-term vision, core portfolio construction, and active dialogue with the companies we invest in. We invest with a horizon of over 10 years, in contrast with the average holding period in the market, which is around 10 months. This horizon allows us to support companies in developing their long-term strategy and creating sustainable value. The portfolio is designed to capture security-specific risk and return, avoiding the common bias toward growth or technology observed in many sustainable strategies. In addition, we maintain active dialogue with the companies we invest in, especially with their boards of directors, which often go unnoticed despite their key role in governance, succession, and long-term strategy. This direct, hands-on involvement reflects our fiduciary responsibility and our commitment to sustainable long-term value creation.

Based on Your Experience, How Has the Concept and Approach to Stewardship Evolved in the Fund Industry?

When we launched this strategy, we saw clear demand for a responsible investment proposition capable of generating long-term returns without relying on growth factors or showing excessive concentration in technology. We believe that investing with a long-term perspective requires balanced sector and geographic risk management, allowing returns to be driven by security selection. This philosophy—based on rigorous portfolio construction, active management, and responsible corporate oversight (stewardship)—has been very well received by clients. The strategy acts as a stable core allocation, on top of which more tactical exposures by style or sector can be built, providing both resilience and flexibility.

How Can an Active Stewardship Approach Reveal Opportunities? Is It More Useful in Times of Uncertainty?

We believe stewardship cannot be passive. We conduct more than 130 interactions a year with the companies we invest in, making the most of our time with executive teams and boards to focus on their long-term strategy. We invest in businesses with strong balance sheets and consistent cash generation, which allows them to be more resilient to short-term disruptions such as tariff changes, regulatory uncertainty, or shifts in economic policy. These interactions allow us to assess the quality of leadership, decision-making, and strategic direction. In times of volatility, the board’s vision and foresight are key to achieving better outcomes. Through active dialogue, we analyze these strengths while also looking for clear signals of execution and a strong talent base in CEOs and their teams to ensure continuity in times of crisis.

Finally, Could You Mention Three Ways ESG Factors Can Enhance Portfolios for the Second Half of the Year?

We believe our approach is especially well suited to today’s environment. First, it helps reduce volatility by focusing on companies with strong leadership capable of navigating complex and changing political and economic contexts. Second, it is a core strategy that diversifies risk through the selection of high-quality companies across different sectors and regions. Third, our long-term approach avoids the mistakes associated with short-term decisions—such as overreliance on certain supply chains—that can lead to future disruptions. We believe companies that manage these risks proactively are better positioned to deliver sustainable returns. This disciplined, forward-looking strategy allows investors to stay focused and aligned with their long-term goals.

Sovereign Wealth Funds Shift to Active Management to Better Navigate Political Uncertainty

| By Amaya Uriarte | 0 Comentarios

Political and Regulatory Decisions Have Become the Main Drivers of Investment Strategy, Leading Sovereign Investors to Fundamentally Reassess Portfolio Construction and Risk Management, According to the 13th Annual Invesco Global Sovereign Asset Management Study.

While geopolitical tensions (88%) and inflationary pressures (64%) remain the main short-term risks for sovereign wealth funds and central banks, concern over excessive volatility in financial markets has increased—cited by 59% of respondents, up from 28% in 2024. Nearly 90% believe that geopolitical competition will be a key driver of volatility, while 85% expect protectionist policies to entrench persistent inflation in developed economies. Specifically, 62% of those surveyed now see deglobalization as a major threat to investment returns, highlighting a marked shift in market narrative.

The Invesco Study—One of the Leading Indicators of Sovereign Wealth Fund and Central Bank Behavior—Is Based on the Views of 141 Senior Investment Professionals, including Chief Investment Officers, Heads of Asset Classes, and Portfolio Strategy Leads, from 83 sovereign wealth funds and 58 central banks around the world, collectively managing $27 trillion in assets.

Active Strategies Gain Ground Alongside Core Passive Exposure

One of the key changes in portfolio structuring identified in the study is the increased use of active strategies by respondents. On average, sovereign wealth funds and central banks hold more than 70% of their portfolios in active strategies, both in fixed income and equities.

The survey revealed that 52% of sovereign investors plan to increase their active equity exposure over the next two years, while 47% plan to do the same with fixed income. This shift is more pronounced among the largest institutions: 75% of sovereign investors managing over $100 billion have adopted more active equity strategies over the past two years, compared to 43% of mid-sized investors and 36% of smaller ones.

While passive strategies continue to offer advantages in terms of efficiency and scale—especially in highly liquid public markets—active approaches are increasingly being used to address index concentration risks, manage regional dispersion, and enhance resilience across various scenarios in an increasingly fragmented landscape. At the same time, portfolio configuration decisions—such as tilting toward specific asset classes, geographies, or factors—are increasingly seen as core expressions of active management.

Fixed Income Redefined and Reordered

Driven by a combination of geopolitical shifts and interest rate normalization, traditional portfolio construction models are being reconsidered, with many sovereign funds adopting more dynamic approaches. These include more flexible asset allocation, improved liquidity management, and increased use of alternative assets.

In this context, fixed income has gained greater prominence in sovereign wealth fund portfolios, becoming the second most favored asset class—only behind infrastructure. On a net basis, 24% of sovereign funds plan to increase their fixed income exposure over the next two months.

While the normalization of interest rates and rising yields have contributed to this rebound, fixed income has also taken on a broader role—as both a liquidity management tool and a flexible source of returns and portfolio resilience.

As allocations to private markets increase, portfolios are becoming increasingly illiquid, making liquidity management a key strategic priority.

As a result, nearly 60% of sovereign investors report using formalized liquidity frameworks, with segments of their fixed income portfolios specifically positioned to offset the illiquidity of their private market exposures.

“Fixed income is no longer limited to defensive, risk-free positioning—it has become a dynamic and versatile part of the portfolio. As the market structures change, liquidity needs grow, and return-risk assumptions evolve, fixed income is taking on a broader role in strategic portfolio management, fulfilling multiple functions simultaneously rather than acting solely as a defensive anchor,” says Rod Ringrow, Head of Official Institutions at Invesco.

Private Fixed Income Gains Traction as a New Diversification Tool

Investment in private fixed income continues to gain momentum among sovereign wealth funds, with the proportion accessing this asset class through direct investments or co-investments rising from 30% in 2024 to 44% in 2025. Fund-based access also increased, from 56% to 63%, and 50% of sovereign funds plan to increase allocations over the next year, led by institutions in North America (68%).

This growing interest reflects a broader rethinking of diversification, as traditional correlations between equities and bonds erode in an environment of higher rates and elevated inflation.

Sovereign debt investors are turning to private credit to gain exposure to floating rates, customized deal structures, and return profiles that are less correlated with public markets. Private debt, once considered a niche asset class, is now viewed as a strategic pillar for building long-term portfolios.

“Private fixed income is an excellent example of how sovereign investors are adapting to a structurally different market environment. They are building portfolios that prioritize resilience and flexibility, and private fixed income offers exactly that—providing both scalability and greater control,” says Rod Ringrow.

China Reemerges as a Strategic Priority in a Fragmented Emerging Markets Landscape

Sovereign wealth funds are taking a more selective approach to emerging markets. However, Asia excluding China remains a priority for 43% of respondents. China continues to be one of the main areas of focus, rising from 20% in 2024 to 28%. Sovereign funds are increasingly directing their strategies in China toward specific technology sectors such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, electric vehicles, and renewable energy.

78% of respondents believe that China’s technological and innovation capabilities will be globally competitive in the future.

When it comes to expected allocations to China over the next five years, only 48% believe the country will successfully transition to a consumption-based economy. Public and private market exposures are being adjusted accordingly.

Active management is seen as essential in this environment. Only 9% of sovereign wealth funds rely on passive emerging market strategies, while 85% access these markets through specialist managers, citing the need for local insight and tactical flexibility.

“Sovereigns are rethinking their approach to emerging markets—they’re being selective and placing greater emphasis on long-term structural opportunities, building portfolios that recognize the complexity and diversity of these markets, with China reaffirming its position at the center of this recalibration,” emphasizes Ringrow.

Digital Assets Under Continued Exploration

Digital assets are no longer considered an outlier theme among institutional investors. This year’s study shows a small but notable increase in the number of sovereign wealth funds making direct investments in digital assets—11%, up from 7% in 2022. Allocations are more common in the Middle East (22%), APAC (18%), and North America (16%), compared to 0% in Europe, Latin America, and Africa.

A surprise in the study was the growing interest from some sovereign wealth funds in so-called stablecoins, particularly among those in emerging markets. They are considered easier to integrate than traditional cryptocurrencies due to their price stability and potential for real-world application. This makes them more suitable for future cross-border payment systems or liquidity management tools.

Many sovereign funds still prefer indirect exposure—investing through venture capital vehicles, innovation platforms, or structure-related funds—rather than holding direct stakes. However, this shift toward direct investment, though small, reflects a move from abstract interest to real-world participation.

Central banks are simultaneously advancing their own central bank digital currency (CBDC) initiatives, balancing the potential for innovation with considerations of systemic stability. CBDCs offer potential advantages: in emerging markets, they aim to improve financial inclusion and modernize payments, while in developed markets, they focus on payment efficiency and monetary sovereignty. However, most central banks remain in research or pilot phases due to the complexity of risk.

Central Bank Resilience and the Defensive Role of Gold

Central banks are strengthening their reserve management frameworks in response to growing geopolitical instability and fiscal uncertainty. Nearly two-thirds (64%) of central banks plan to increase their reserves over the next two years, while 53% intend to further diversify their portfolios.

Gold continues to play a central role in this effort, with 47% of central banks expecting to increase their gold allocations over the next three years. Seen as a politically neutral store of value, gold is increasingly viewed as a strategic hedge against risks such as rising U.S. debt levels, the weaponization of reserves, and global fragmentation.

At the same time, central banks are modernizing the way they manage their gold exposures. In addition to physical holdings, more institutions are turning to dynamic tools such as ETFs, swaps, and derivatives to adjust allocations, enhance liquidity management, and increase overall portfolio flexibility—without sacrificing defensive protection. This trend is expected to continue, as 21% of respondents say they plan to invest in gold ETFs over the next five years, up from 16% currently, while the number of respondents planning to invest in gold derivatives is set to double, rising from 9% to 19%.

Geopolitics Displaces the Economy as the Main Concern of Central Banks

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Generative AI productivity finance — Canva

Once Again, UBS AM Gets Into the Minds of Top Central Bank Leaders With a New Edition of Its UBS Annual Reserve Manager Survey

After gathering the views of 40 monetary institutions, the main conclusion of the report is that geopolitics has displaced monetary policy as one of the most relevant issues of the moment.

“This year, the shift from monetary policy to geopolitics was palpable. There was much less talk about inflation or interest rate paths, and much more about scenario planning for global disruptions. The widespread concern over a possible resumption of the trade war under a second Trump administration stood out most. Nearly three-quarters of reserve managers identified this as the main global risk, ahead of inflation or rate volatility. That says a lot about current sentiment,” says Max Castelli, Head of Strategy and Advice for Global Sovereign Markets at UBS Asset Management.

According to Castelli, this year’s conversations felt less like forecasting and more like “contingency planning.” “Reserve managers know the playbook has changed: they’re not just reacting to volatility—they’re repositioning for a world where fragmentation is the norm, not the exception,” he notes.

He also acknowledges that what struck him most was the “quiet urgency” with which they are acting. “Reserve managers aren’t panicking, but they are preparing. From FX hedging strategies to liquidity buffers, there’s a clear sense that the coming years won’t look like the last ten. In a context of high uncertainty, there is a marked rise in pessimism among central banks; for instance, they now consider stagflation to be just as likely as the soft landing that was generally expected in last year’s survey,” he states.

Key Findings

In this context, it is notable that 86% of respondents expect that the MAGA agenda (tariffs, deregulation, lower taxes, cheap energy, and DOGE-style cost cutting) will not succeed in boosting the U.S. economy in the long term. Instead, reserve managers believe that several key factors that made the U.S. the preferred destination for international asset allocators may be at risk:

65% believe that the independence of the Federal Reserve is at risk.
47% think there could be a deterioration in the rule of law significant enough to influence reserve managers’ asset allocation decisions.
29% see a risk to the openness of U.S. capital markets.

When Sharing Their View on Economic and Financial Outlooks, Respondents Showed a Notable Increase in Pessimism

40% expect the U.S. headline CPI to be in the 3%–4% range within a year, and more than 80% believe the Fed’s interest rates will also fall within that range during the same period.

When it comes to risks, the most frequently mentioned word is geopolitics, which has now taken center stage in central banks’ concerns, displacing economic issues. Evidence of this shift is seen in the fact that 74% of reserve managers identify an escalation of the trade war as the main risk, followed by a rise in military conflicts (51%).

Implications for Asset Allocation

So how does this translate into asset allocation? According to the survey, reserve managers remain well diversified in public markets, but the trend toward greater diversification appears to have peaked. In this regard, gold continues to show strong demand and is expected to offer the best risk-adjusted returns over the next five years.

Emerging market debt, corporate bonds, and particularly green bonds were also frequently mentioned as assets that central banks plan to incorporate over the next year. At the same time, the trend toward increasing equity exposure is slowing.

Another key data point is that 80% of respondents expect the U.S. dollar to remain the global reserve currency, although there are clear signs of diversification toward other currencies, with the euro being the primary beneficiary.

“The dollar is not favored, but reserve managers are uncertain. There are no true alternatives. Most central banks surveyed expect the U.S. dollar to remain weak, although they remain skeptical about whether this signals the start of a prolonged trend. Dollar weakness is not unprecedented, given the extended period of strength,” notes Castelli.

Sentiment toward the renminbi (RMB) also appears to be improving slightly. In this regard, Castelli adds: “While demand for U.S. assets is more vulnerable, the U.S. dollar is still widely expected to remain the dominant reserve currency (79% of respondents). The euro is seen as the most likely to benefit from macroeconomic and geopolitical shifts over the next five years (74%), followed by the renminbi (59%) and, perhaps surprisingly, digital currencies ranked third (44%).”

Lastly, the survey highlights the trend of digital assets—including cryptocurrencies and stablecoins—which were mentioned as one of the asset classes expected to benefit most from the current geopolitical environment, just after the euro and the renminbi.

From Private Credit to Real Estate: Why Private Markets Are a Structural Opportunity in Times of Uncertainty

| By Amaya Uriarte | 0 Comentarios

Allfunds active strategies Middle East — Canva

Sector Estimates Point to Private Markets Growing From the Current $13 Trillion to Over $20 Trillion by 2030. But Before Then, Investors Must Face a Uncertain Second Half of 2025.

On this shorter-term outlook, leading investment firms have expressed their views in their mid-year outlooks, which agree that alternative assets will continue to make sense in investor portfolios.

For example, in the view of Goldman Sachs AM, private markets, hedge funds, and strategies for hedging against extreme risks can offer alternative paths to resilience, while also providing exposure to themes of persistent and accelerated growth. “In private markets, we continue to expect strong investor demand for private credit, driven by its historically attractive risk-adjusted returns and diversification benefits,” they note.

They also add that for investors needing liquidity or looking to rebalance their portfolios, ongoing innovations in secondary markets are offering new options. “We also believe the current environment will continue to favor alpha generation by hedge funds, while reinforcing the diversification value that these investments have historically provided,” they state.

From M&G’s perspective, they believe the recent recovery in private markets is unlikely to be derailed by recent events, since “the structural growth drivers remain intact and will continue,” they note. They add: “The outlook for private credit is more positive than before, with spreads and demand likely to improve. Private equity could be affected by higher financing costs and a more complex operating environment for investments. The unlisted nature of private markets is likely shielding investors from the worst of short-term market volatility, while preserving the long-term appeal of this asset class,” they emphasize.

Peter Branner, CIO of Aberdeen Investments, and Paul Diggle, Chief Economist of Aberdeen Investments, consider private markets to be a structural opportunity given their “ideal” position amid a falling interest rate environment, an economy that is slowing but not contracting, and a historical undersupply of quality assets in areas such as real estate, infrastructure, and private credit.

Investment Ideas

When it comes to specific ideas, Goldman Sachs AM points out that flexible financing solutions, such as hybrid capital, can help companies with strong fundamentals optimize their capital structures. “In an unpredictable macroeconomic environment, we see opportunities to invest in themes of persistent and accelerated growth. Increased spending on defense and infrastructure in developed markets reinforces the strength of economic security, despite recent short-term volatility in equity markets. Artificial intelligence, the clean energy transition, and the return of industrial production are driving strong energy and electricity demand. We believe more private credit aimed at climate transition will be necessary to expand energy solutions across different countries and use cases,” the firm explains.

According to the asset managers, private credit has been one of the most attractive alternative assets during the first six months of the year and is expected to remain so in the next six. “In private markets, rising financing costs could pose a challenge for riskier, unconventional companies and/or those with long-term cash flows exposed to uncertainty. However, despite the challenges, opportunities may arise for debt-focused specialist investors, along with greater incentive for companies to seek funding from parties more willing to assess their specific conditions,” notes M&G.

For the firm, this is not the only investment idea for the second half of the year—they also believe that real estate may remain relatively unaffected by uncertainty. “While it’s possible, it seems unlikely that a weaker economic or corporate environment would significantly harm the currently strong demand for occupancy. In fact, the limited supply and consistent evidence of rising rental levels suggest that the current real estate recovery is well-founded,” they explain.

In that sense, the two experts from Aberdeen Investments add: “The global direct real estate market appears attractive, with improving occupancy and credit markets, but with limited supply. Portfolio diversification is important in an unpredictable world. With increasingly frequent signs of positive correlation between equities and fixed income—both rising and falling in unison—standard equity and bond portfolios will not provide sufficient diversification.”

On the other hand, M&G warns that not all areas of the private markets universe would be immune to a drop in market confidence, and for private equity, the situation could become more complicated: “If the world resigns itself to higher tariff levels than today, this could have an inflationary effect, making it harder for central banks to cut interest rates as much or as quickly as expected. This would increase financing costs for private equity. The operating environment for companies would also be affected, possibly lengthening holding periods and making exits more difficult.”

Generative AI Increases Productivity by an Average of 20% in Financial Services Firms

| By Amaya Uriarte | 0 Comentarios

Large banks, insurers, and other financial services firms are leading in investment and adoption of generative AI technology compared to companies in other industries. We’re talking about sums that in 2024 reached nearly €22.1 million, and the involvement of 270 full-time employees on average, among those with revenues of at least $5 billion—compared to $17.6 million among their counterparts in other sectors. The 10 largest financial companies analyzed would invest an average of more than $100 million in 2024. This is one of the main conclusions drawn from a recent survey conducted by Bain & Company among 109 U.S. financial services firms.

According to Santiago Casanova, partner in Financial Services at Bain & Company Spain, “Although the sample was conducted in the United States, the macro results are not far from what is happening in the financial sector in other countries, including Spain—especially in terms of productivity gains from the application of generative AI. In any case, smart technology choices alone will not drive the full transformation of the sector. True adoption requires a deep cultural shift. At Bain, we help our clients in the financial sector strategically assess and apply use cases to improve efficiency and customer loyalty, among other factors, and to move forward on the path toward that necessary change.”

Regarding the impact of generative AI on the productivity of the financial services firms analyzed, Bain & Company found that it results in a global average increase of 20%, considering all areas in which it has been used (software development, IT, customer service, marketing, legal department, operations, etc.), as shown in the following table:

Despite the clear positive impact of generative AI implementation, financial services firms remain reluctant to accelerate their pace of adoption due to several issues, such as regulatory uncertainty and concerns over data quality and security. These concerns are more prevalent among financial services firms than in less regulated sectors and cast doubt on the return of the investments made.

“To succeed with AI tools at scale, financial services firms will need to engage in dialogue with regulators and develop deeper expertise at the intersection of regulation, data security, and privacy. This will require more deliberate governance around compliance, task allocation, and individual roles,” explained Casanova.

Firms in the financial sector will also need to attract and develop the right talent. In this regard, nearly 70% of respondents stated that there are talent gaps across all functions related to AI implementation, especially in technical, risk, and compliance areas.

Centralizing and Building: Two Clear Trends

Bain & Company also found that almost half of the financial services firms analyzed fully or partially centralize their AI-related decision-making processes. For companies using a hybrid model, it is common to centralize strategy and governance while decentralizing execution.

Furthermore, when choosing between buying or building their own generative AI solutions, most financial services firms surveyed said they had developed their own solutions across all applications—at a slightly higher rate than in other sectors. Many applications are developed in-house either because commercial versions are not yet ready or because firms want greater control over their solutions. In any case, third-party offerings are becoming increasingly sophisticated and relevant to this highly regulated sector, so the number of companies opting to buy rather than build is expected to grow.

“In general, our analysis suggests that financial services firms have already reaped benefits from generative AI and expect to gain even more. Therefore, they are making significant investments in talent and other resources. In any case, although progress is rapid, we are still in the very early stages of a technology that promises to further improve operations and customer experience,” concluded Santiago Casanova.

Allfunds Incorporates the First Active Strategies Into Its Offering in the Middle East

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Allfunds adds the first funds to its Middle East entity. The strategies, developed in collaboration with Schroders, are designed to enable the seamless distribution of the asset manager’s UCITS funds across jurisdictions, while maintaining regulatory alignment.

“Allfunds is honored to have Schroders as the first partner of its ManCo in the Middle East, reinforcing the longstanding and fruitful relationship between both institutions. This milestone represents our commitment to the region, as well as providing comprehensive fund distribution solutions in the world’s major markets, and demonstrates our ability to navigate complex regulatory environments while delivering value to our clients,” said Yunus Selant, head of MENA at Allfunds.

For his part, Joe Tennant, senior executive director at Schroders, added: “We are very proud to partner with Allfunds to offer three active management solutions in multi-asset, credit, and equities to retail investors in the United Arab Emirates. With over 15 years of presence in the region, this step represents a further commitment to our clients, as we aim to continue contributing to the growth of financial services in the area, placing our clients at the center of everything we do.”

As explained, Allfunds (Middle East) Limited, based in the Dubai International Financial Centre, offers a tailored framework for accessing Middle Eastern markets. Its local presence and regulatory expertise enable fund managers like Schroders to efficiently and compliantly serve onshore retail clients in the UAE. Through this entity, with management companies now operating in both Luxembourg and Dubai, Allfunds provides asset managers with a scalable and compliant platform for global fund distribution, combining local expertise with a unified infrastructure.

WisdomTree Enters The Private Assets Business With The Acquisition Of U.S.-Based Ceres Partners

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WisdomTree acquires Ceres Partners — Pixabay CC0 Public Domain

WisdomTree has reached a definitive agreement to acquire Ceres Partners, a U.S.-based alternative asset manager specializing in farmland investments. They explain that this transaction marks its entry into private asset markets, starting with the real estate sector and, specifically, farmland. In addition, Ceres benefits from opportunities in adjacent strategic areas with demand for solar energy, artificial intelligence data infrastructure, and water, which are expected to drive faster growth.

According to WisdomTree, this acquisition provides immediate scale and a long-term advantage, bringing approximately 1.85 billion dollars in assets under management across about 545 U.S. farmland properties located in 12 states, mainly in the Midwest. “Ceres has a solid performance track record, with an average annual net total return of 10.3% since its inception in 2007, outperforming farmland benchmarks,” they state.

The manager believes that, as farmland is recognized as one of the largest and most underutilized real asset classes in the United States, there is significant growth potential. In their view, this asset class has historically delivered resilient, inflation-protected returns, and is uncorrelated with traditional equity and fixed income markets. As demand accelerates for private investments that generate income and offer inflation protection, they believe this transaction positions them well to provide differentiated access at an institutional scale. Farmland prices and asset values have increased in the United States in all but nine years since World War II, and Ceres represents a value-added platform in a category with the fundamentals for greater adoption by advisors and institutions.

“Farmland is one of the largest and most underutilized real asset classes in the United States, offering both scale and scarcity. This acquisition expands our leadership in innovative, income-generating investment solutions while strategically accelerating our entry into private asset markets with a scalable, high-quality platform. This reflects our commitment to offering differentiated exposures that deliver long-term value for both clients and shareholders. This strategic acquisition now positions WisdomTree to capitalize on the most significant structural growth opportunities in wealth and asset management today: ETPs, private markets, managed models, and tokenization,” added Jonathan Steinberg, founder and CEO of WisdomTree.

For his part, Perry Vieth, founder and CEO of Ceres Partners, stated: “We are proud of Ceres’ lasting partnerships and legacy with farmers. Joining forces with WisdomTree marks an exciting new chapter for Ceres. For nearly two decades, we have built a differentiated farmland investment platform, grounded in performance, operational expertise, and a deep understanding of U.S. agricultural markets. This partnership brings product innovation, scale, and distribution that will allow us to reach more investors seeking resilient, inflation-protected, income-generating real assets. Together, we are uniquely positioned to capitalize on the next wave of growth in farmland, including solar energy, artificial intelligence data infrastructure, and water, with a shared commitment to innovation and long-term value creation.”

Transaction objectives and details

As part of this transaction, WisdomTree’s goals for 2030 include raising over 750 million dollars in farmland assets by the end of 2030 with fee structures of approximately 1% base / 20% performance, doubling base fee revenue by the end of 2030, increasing performance fee revenue by 1.5 to 2 times—assuming historical performance levels are maintained—and accelerating WisdomTree’s global margin expansion trajectory.

According to the manager, the transaction involves an initial cash consideration of 275 million dollars payable at closing, subject to customary adjustments. “Consideration for future earnings of up to 225 million dollars payable in 2030, subject to a compound annual revenue growth rate of 12–22% measured over five years. Subject to customary approvals, financing, and closing conditions, the transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2025,” they note.

Finally, they add that this transaction establishes Ceres as a cornerstone of WisdomTree’s long-term strategy to build the next-generation asset management platform, combining structural growth sectors, an innovative offering, and a future-ready product range. “Alongside its current strengths in ETPs, managed models, and tokenization, WisdomTree will offer its clients institutional access to a highly differentiated set of exposures in public and private markets,” they conclude.

Madeleine Ronner (DWS): “Investment In AI Is Saturated, But Not Exhausted”

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Madeleine Ronner DWS AI investment — Photo courtesyMadeleine Ronner, Manager At DWS

Technology is a consolidated theme in investors’ portfolios. In the first half of 2025, the so-called Magnificent 7 experienced a sharp correction at the beginning of the year, followed by an AI-driven rebound that mainly benefited Meta, Microsoft, and Nvidia. In the opinion of Madeleine Ronner, a DWS manager specializing in technology, the investors’ response has been clear: although we have not seen a widespread increase in sensitivity to valuations, investors have become more selective. We discussed how to approach technology investment in our latest interview.

Do you think the perception investors have when investing in technology has changed?

The focus is more on cost discipline, AI-driven efficiency improvement, and tangible growth, especially in areas such as infrastructure, automation, and computing. The market is also more critical of how large-scale AI investments will be monetized, particularly given the high investment-to-sales ratios across the sector. That said, speculative behavior remains present, especially in certain parts of the U.S. technology market, as reflected by the growing number of stocks trading at more than 10 times their market value. From our point of view, this reinforces the importance of focusing on critically important technologies with long-term structural relevance, and not only on short-term growth arguments.

Have investors adjusted their portfolios’ exposure to the technology sector?

There has been a slight shift. ETF flows show a rotation away from the U.S. and, therefore, from large U.S. technology companies, and toward European and diversified exposures. Investors are increasingly opting for broader sector allocation strategies that reduce reliance on a few dominant technology stocks, especially as geopolitical risks rise. However, gross exposure to large technology companies remains high.

Have you adjusted your expectations for this sector’s performance?

Our expectations are becoming increasingly differentiated. While the sector as a whole may no longer deliver the broad outperformance of previous years, certain specific segments—such as cutting-edge AI, custom semiconductors, and mission-critical software—still enjoy strong secular tailwinds. We are cautious in areas with inflated multiples and low visibility but continue to see long-term value in enablers of automation, digital resilience, and computing efficiency.

In today’s context of uncertainty, tariffs, and high valuations, what do you consider the best way to approach technology investment now—ETFs, active management, or thematic investing?

In this environment, active management and selective thematic investing present clear advantages. The macroeconomic and geopolitical context—especially tariffs, supply chain adjustments, and tighter regulation—creates dispersion in the market. An active approach can help avoid overpriced or geopolitically exposed names, while thematic strategies (for example, nearshoring, AI infrastructure, sovereignty) can target specific pockets of opportunity.

Over the past 24 months, investors seem to have focused on AI. Do you consider this an area saturated with investors and funds, or do you believe there is still room to launch new funds and channel investment into it?

AI investment is saturated, but not exhausted. While competition is intense and valuations are high, the underlying innovation cycle is still in its early stages. There is room for differentiated strategies, especially those targeting industrial AI, edge computing, and AI infrastructure. The AI hype is real, but the set of opportunities remains broad. While overall exposure to AI may seem saturated, there is still plenty of room for differentiated strategies focusing on vertical AI applications, AI infrastructure, energy efficiency, or AI governance and security. We believe new funds can succeed if they offer genuine specialization or exposure to undercapitalized segments of the AI stack.

What are the technologies of the future that investors should start considering?

In my opinion, several technology areas stand out as critical for evaluating future investments, especially in the context of national resilience and economic competitiveness. AI remains a dominant force, not only as an independent theme but as an enabling element across all sectors. It is worth highlighting that automation is beginning to extend into traditionally under-served sectors, such as pharmaceuticals and food and beverages, supported by AI-driven efficiencies.

Semiconductor manufacturing and equipment is another area of strategic importance. We are particularly focused on the long-term development of U.S. manufacturing capacity, which aims to reduce dependence on Taiwan and strengthen domestic supply chains. In our case, defense and dual-use technologies are a cornerstone of our strategy, as is cybersecurity, especially as nations prioritize digital sovereignty and the protection of critical infrastructure. The sector continues to evolve rapidly, with growing importance in both the public and private spheres.

We also see attractive opportunities in energy infrastructure and grid modernization, which are essential for energy security and the transition to more sustainable systems. In this area, battery technology is especially promising, with recent advances suggesting transformative potential in energy storage and distribution.

In the current context of uncertainty and tariff wars, which parts of the technology sector are most exposed?

Consumer electronics and automobiles, due to supply chain dependence and specific tariffs, as well as semiconductors, especially those reliant on Asian manufacturing or with significant sales to Asian markets.

What could this mean for investors, and how can they protect themselves against this risk?

To build a resilient and forward-looking portfolio, it is essential to diversify both geographically and across relevant subsectors. Priority should be given to companies that demonstrate strong local production capacity and robust, adaptable supply chains. Moreover, the use of active investment strategies can help avoid overexposure to specific securities or concentrated risks. We have a bottom-up fundamental approach, and in my selection I am currently placing great emphasis on pricing power, as well as strong management teams capable of navigating this volatile and changing environment and addressing supply chain challenges.

Are Investors Too Concentrated in U.S. Mega Caps?

| By Amaya Uriarte | 0 Comentarios

Mirabaud Gurdeep Bumbra renta variable — Pixabay CC0 Public Domain

One of the latest studies by Vanguard examines the risk of overconcentration in high-cap U.S. stocks and whether, as a result, ETF investors are adjusting the global allocation of their portfolios.

The report reveals that while the market shows a marked tilt toward selected Magnificent Seven companies, Vanguard indicates that advisors may have already adjusted their clients’ portfolios accordingly.

The firm conducted a survey of 1,747 clients, which shows that advisors are already tilting their portfolios toward small- and mid-cap stocks, moving away from large- and mega-cap growth stocks that have experienced a strong rally.

The median among respondents has been overweighting mid and small caps by approximately 10 percentage points above benchmark allocations, which are around 25%.

While advisors appear to be reducing their exposure to large-cap stocks, another critical factor they may be overlooking is the bias toward domestic markets.

Research by Vanguard shows that the median client portfolio has a 75% weighting in U.S. stocks, well above the 63% allocated to American stocks in global benchmark indexes.

That represents an overweight of 12 percentage points, and more than three-quarters of client portfolios show some level of home bias.

Market capitalization indexes risk a greater allocation to a handful of names, which can make exposure seem excessive. Such indexes are arguably the best strategy for holding a representative slice of the broader macroeconomy, but moving away from the highest-returning U.S. companies addresses only one part of a portfolio’s overconcentration source.

Adding more international equities can make portfolios more diversified—a benefit that, according to the study, could prove profitable “if the current valuation gap between U.S. and international stocks normalizes over the long term.”

New Executive Order by Trump to Open 401(k) Plans to Alternative Assets

| By Amaya Uriarte | 0 Comentarios

India chips semiconductores medicamentos — Canva

Donald Trump continues to fulfill his campaign promises. On Thursday, the U.S. president signed an executive order to allow the inclusion of private equity, real estate, cryptocurrencies, and other alternative assets in 401(k) retirement accounts in order “to enable investors to access alternative assets for better returns and diversification,” according to the official statement released by the White House.

The order paves the way for private equity managers and other funds to access the trillions of dollars (American trillions) in Americans’ retirement savings.

“It could open a new and broad source of funding for managers of so-called alternative assets, outside of stocks, bonds, and cash, although critics claim it could also pose an excessive risk to retirement investments,” reported the Reuters agency.

According to Bloomberg, the order is “a big win for industries seeking to tap into some of the approximately $12.5 trillion (American trillions) held in those retirement accounts.”

“The order instructs the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to facilitate access to alternative assets for participant-directed defined contribution retirement plans by reviewing applicable regulations and guidelines,” a White House official stated in the morning under condition of anonymity, according to the cited sources.

The document instructs the Secretary of Labor to reexamine the Department of Labor’s guidelines on fiduciary duties related to investments in alternative assets within 401(k) plans and other defined contribution plans regulated by ERISA. It also instructs the Secretary of Labor to clarify the Department’s stance on alternative assets and the proper fiduciary process associated with offering asset allocation funds that include investments in alternative assets.

Initial Reactions

The new investment options have less stringent disclosure requirements and are generally harder to sell quickly for cash compared to publicly traded stocks and bonds, which most retirement funds rely on. In addition, investing in them usually involves higher fees, Reuters noted.

Many private equity firms are eager for the new source of cash that retail investors could provide after three years in which high interest rates shook their traditional model of buying companies and selling them for profit.

“The entire market cap of the crypto market as a whole is nearly 4 trillion,” Iñaki Apezteguia, a Bitcoin specialist and co-founder of Crossing Capital, told Funds Society. “So the amount of money handled in crypto could triple with this availability of pension funds; it’s a huge advancement,” he added.

The expert clarified that this does not mean all the money would go into crypto. “But globally respected analysts, among them Ray Dalio,” he stated, “say that about 15% of a portfolio’s capacity should be allocated to investing in Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies. So we’re talking about a possible injection of massive institutional capital and allowing many people nearing retirement to access diversification of the money tied to their retirement. Bitcoin further legitimizes its place as a global store of value.”

“The approval of the Genius, Clarify, and anti-CBDC laws, the White House’s crypto report, the appointment of key figures in regulatory agencies who are sympathetic to the financial world and have a pro-crypto outlook, and even his own approach of accumulating cryptocurrencies through his companies, both Bitcoin and Ethereum — Trump’s new order is in line with all of this,” said Apezteguia, referencing his campaign announcements.

In fact, the final lines of the official statement announcing the executive order include references to Trump’s promise to make the United States the “world capital of cryptocurrencies,” emphasizing the need to embrace digital assets to boost economic growth and technological leadership.

Not an Immediate Effect

For plan sponsors, the order does not immediately change existing regulations. Jaret Seiberg, a financial services policy analyst at TD Cowen Washington Research Group, said in a note published by CNN that “agencies will still have to develop new rules. That could take until 2026.”

For their part, employers will have to conduct their own due diligence before offering new investment options. Lisa Gómez, former Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employee Benefits Security, told CNN: “It’s going to be more complicated.”

Private market assets have traditionally been excluded from 401(k) plans due to high fees, lack of transparency, and longer lock-up periods, CNBC noted.