Issue 2, 2014

The Nordic Fund Selection Journal’s April 2014 issue offers comprehensive insights into investment opportunities and challenges within the asset management industry, with a significant focus on emerging markets and regulatory changes post-financial crisis. The journal covers key discussions from the 7th annual Nordic Fund Selection Forum held in Stockholm, emphasizing the evolving nature of industry relationships, the need for strategic adaptation, and emerging markets’ potential despite geopolitical and economic risks. High-profile interviews with fund managers, such as Rajiv Jain from Vontobel and Polina Kurdyavko from BlueBay, provide detailed perspectives on navigating emerging market equities and corporate debt, highlighting the importance of active management and cautious allocation amid volatility and regulatory developments.

Additionally, the journal addresses the surge of regulatory measures affecting fund management in the Nordic region and Europe, including AIFMD, MIFID II, and money market fund reforms, explaining their implications for fund selectors and asset managers. The publication also explores how regulations are reshaping industry practices around transparency, investor protection, and distribution models. The issue includes in-depth coverage of Nordic fund selection trends, institutional investor behavior indicating a renewed interest in emerging markets, and showcases leading managers’ investment philosophies and regional insights. Supplementary content features reviews of industry events, office glimpses into asset managers like GAM, regulatory heat-maps, and expert opinions on the interplay of regulation and asset management strategy in the Nordic financial ecosystem.

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Table of content

Introduction to the Issue and Editorial Overview

An opening note about the 7th annual Nordic Fund Selection Forum held in Stockholm, featuring coverage of emerging markets, fund selectors’ livelihood post-Lehman, and regulatory challenges shaping the asset management ecosystem.

News and Industry Updates

Important announcements including Standard Life Investments’ acquisition of Ignis Asset Management, political pension system reforms in Sweden, key appointments in Scandinavian asset management firms, and notable trends in Nordic investors’ behavior towards emerging markets.

Roundtable: Investing in Emerging Markets

A detailed discussion with top Nordic investors and fund selectors on emerging market equities covering current allocations, macroeconomic perspectives, active vs passive strategies, regional differentiations, and challenges of investing in frontier markets.

Fund Manager Profiles and Views

Insightful interviews with leading fund managers such as Rajiv Jain (Vontobel), Polina Kurdyavko (BlueBay), Flavia Cheong (Aberdeen), Kamil Dimmich (GAM), Sam Peters (Legg Mason), and others focusing on their outlook on emerging markets, opportunities, challenges, and strategic approaches to stock and credit selections.

Nordic Fund Selection Forum 2014 Review

Recap of the forum’s keynotes, discussions, and networking events including perspectives on asset allocation, equity market opportunities, impact of regulatory changes, and behavioral finance featuring brain researcher Katarina Gospic.

Emerging Markets: Comprehensive Coverage

An overview of the current environment for emerging markets, including economic fundamentals, political risks, asset class definitions, and investor attitudes. Special focus on the need to rethink the emerging markets concept due to its heterogeneity and volatile outlook.

International Selector Profile: Bernard Aybran, Invesco

An in-depth profile describing Invesco’s multi-management team’s fund selection methodology, focusing on stringent quantitative and qualitative analysis, enhanced risk considerations post-Lehman, and adapting to evolving regulatory environments.

Regulatory Landscape and Impacts

Analysis of existing and upcoming regulations affecting the Nordic asset management industry including MiFID II, AIFMD, UCITS updates, money market fund rules, financial transaction tax proposals, and the rise of transparency and consumer protection measures.

Industry Expert Insights: Northern Trust on Regulatory Challenges and Opportunities

A discussion highlighting regulatory compliance as a competitive advantage, pressure on operational teams, varied jurisdictional interpretations, and the need for proactive adaptation to maintain service efficiency and market position.

Behind the Scenes: Nordic Asset Managers on the Move

Voices from the field with industry professionals Karsten Holetzek (Union Investment) and Jens Bjorheim (E.I.Sturdza) sharing their experiences working across Nordic markets, client engagement preferences, market trends, and travel anecdotes.

Office Visit: GAM, London

A guided tour of GAM’s headquarters in central London, showcasing the blend of historic and modern office spaces and reflecting on how the physical environment resonates with the company’s evolving business and culture.

Leisure and Lifestyle: After Work with Nordic Fund Selection Journal

Wine and champagne recommendations including Bollinger R.D. champagnes, innovative bag-in-box wines, award-winning bakers, and tasting notes to enrich client and personal gatherings.

Event Coverage and Upcoming Industry Gatherings

Reports on recent investment seminars, regulatory conferences, and fund industry award ceremonies, alongside announcements and schedules for future Nordic Fund Selection Forums, roundtables, and international investment meetings.

Next Issues Preview and Subscription Information

An outline of forthcoming editorial themes covering country-specific investment climates (Norway, Sweden, Finland), regional focus on Europe, USA equities, real estate, alternative investments, data and technology services, and annual awards coverage.