Opinion

Low interest rates for more than ten years have made it possible for companies to refinance their borrowing at very cheap rates and, if central banks continue on their current trajectory, it is likely that will continue to be the case.

Questor met the key members of this investment consultancy, Stamford Associates, recently and was highly impressed not only with the thoroughness of its process but with the fact that its methodology was unlike any other we had seen for selecting fund managers. Read the original story here

Professor Adrian Furnham does not understand why other companies do not look for behavioural tells in their managers. A balanced individual at the helm is required to turn a good idea into good returns, he tells Pensions Expert. Read the original story here

In this interview with Rachel Pether, CEO & Co-Founder of Sovereign Wealth Ltd, Adrian and Steven discuss Stamford Associates’ differentiated approach, behavioral psychology, and how it’s been such a success for the business. Read the original story here

Secret reports dating as far back as eight years ago raised the alarm over embattled fund manager Neil Woodford’s record of investing in unquoted and smaller companies, but financial advice giant St James’s Place (SJP) is keeping them under lock and key. Read the original story here

Asset management leaders can learn from the emotional displays of football managers such as Jürgen Klopp. Read the original story here

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The asset management industry still appears to be making supernormal profits, regardless of outcomes . But even those whose job is to recommend fund managers are declaring that the current position is unsustainable.  Read the original story here

Behavioural psychology has been the subject of academic study for around 50 years, and has recently become the object of increased scrutiny within financial services as a source of insight into behaviour. Read the original story here

In-house asset management can deliver cost savings, control and overall value benefits but for complex or short-term strategies external management may offer better value for money. Read the original story here

The Pensions Regulator (tPR) has issued its annual funding statement , the content of which is particularly relevant to schemes with actuarial valuation dates between 22 September 2018 and 21 September 2019 (referred to as Tranche 14 reviews).

There are four “dark side” traits that are usually responsible for the failure and derailment in fund management and other careers, writes Adrian Furnham.

In December 2018 the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) issued its final report into the investment consulting and fiduciary management market (CMA Final Report).  We are generally supportive of the report’s findings and its remedies.

Factor investing (or smart beta) has developed into one of the hottest investment trends in recent years.  It has proved particularly popular among investors in search of a new investment paradigm, whether in pursuit of additional sources of return, enhanced risk management or tactical allocation strategies. 

This letter sets out Stamford’s views on the provisional findings and remedies detailed in the Competition & Markets Authority (CMA) report titled “Investment Consultants Market Investigation – Provisional Decision report” (the Report).

The costs of leadership failure and derailment are high for all stakeholders and the consequences considerable. Yet, management failure, as opposed to success, has only been studied for the last thirty or so years.