Spring 2016

IRAN FUNDS: The Persian conundrum

The lifting of sanctions led to a rush of asset managers hoping to invest money in Iran. But despite the excitement, many hurdles remain....

IRAN INTERVIEW: Getting in quick

Foreigners are said to account for just 0.5% of ownership on Iran’s stock market, but that could soon change if companies such as Griffon...

ISLAMIC FINANCE: Stagnation in islamic finance

In 2015, sharia-compliant funds suffered their worst sales in four years. Some blame a lack of innovation for the poor growth of the sector....

GULF IPO: Another meagre year for listings

Oil prices and volatile markets mean few companies in the Middle East want to go public. How long before this drought of IPOs ends?...

ASSET MANAGER HEAD-TO-HEAD: Two steps forward, one step back

With a fragile currency, plunging returns on mining stocks, and fears of a downgrade to ‘junk’ status, there was plenty to discuss when Funds...

SOUTH AFRICAN INTERVIEW: The elder statesman

Leon Campher has been a fixture of South Africa’s asset management industry for decades. George Mitton meets the charismatic chief executive of the country’s...

SOUTH AFRICAN INTERVIEW: A buying opportunity, if anyone will listen

Plunging commodity prices and fear of currency devaluations have led to outflows from African equity funds. It’s a shame, says Paul Clark of Ashburton,...

ASSET SERVICER ROUNDTABLE: Local is lekker

Our panel in Cape Town discussed the move to T+3, the complexity of trade settlement on the continent and the challenges of building a...

INTERVIEW: Show me the (real) assets

From property to private equity, ‘real asset’ funds are still the preferred choice of regional investors. The US is a key market, says Fred...

INSIDE VIEW: The lure of Egypt

A growing feeling of stability has moved Egypt back on to the radar screens of private equity investors, says Youssef Haidar of TVM Capital...