Core Strategy - eQ's updated strategy for 2030 aims to return to strong growth, leveraging its unique strengths and expertise as trusted asset managers for institutions, with a goal to double operating profit by the end of 2030 [1][6][14] Market Position - eQ holds a strong position in long-term active asset management and corporate finance in Finland, with notable strengths in private equity, real estate investments, and advisory services for mergers and acquisitions [2][6] Economic Environment - The last four years have presented challenges due to geopolitical tensions, inflation, and rising interest rates, leading to weak economic growth and declining real estate valuations in Finland. However, the economic outlook for the upcoming years is more positive, with expectations of growth [4] Growth Opportunities - eQ plans to expand its business to international institutional clients and domestic private clients, particularly in the unlisted private equity market, which has historically outperformed the listed market. Mega-trends such as urbanization, aging populations, and green transitions present additional growth opportunities [5][8] Product Development - The company is focused on developing products and services in collaboration with clients and partners, including the recent launch of the eQ PE Direct I fund, aimed at investing in small and medium-sized enterprises [7][10] Client Expansion - eQ seeks to grow its client base by targeting international institutional clients and domestic private clients, offering investment solutions that align with those used by institutional investors [8][9] Implementation Strategy - The strategy for strong growth will primarily be achieved through organic growth, supported by partnerships for broader distribution of services and potential mergers and acquisitions to enhance value for clients [9] Investment Focus - Achieving strategic goals will require moderate investments in personnel, skills development, client experience, technology, and digital services, while maintaining a focus on distributing profits to shareholders as dividends [10][14]

Core Viewpoint - eQ Plc is renewing its Management Team to enhance the implementation of its strategy and management of the Group, effective from 3 February 2026 under CEO Jouko Pölönen's leadership [1]. Group Structure - The eQ Group will operate with two main business segments: asset management and corporate finance [1]. - Asset Management will be further divided into three areas: Private Equity, Real Estate, and Equity and Fixed Income [1]. Management Team Composition - The new Management Team includes: - Jouko Pölönen, CEO of eQ Plc - Tero Estovirta, CEO of eQ Asset Management Ltd - Jacob af Forselles, CEO of Advium Corporate Finance Oy - Kirsi Hokka, Customer Relations - Taina Kyllönen, Human Resources and Communications - Arimo Leppä, Technology and Development - Antti Lyytikäinen, Finance - Juha Surve, Legal - Staffan Jåfs, Private Equity - Jennifer Eloheimo, Real Estate - Veli-Pekka Heikkinen, Equity and Fixed Income [3]. Asset Management Overview - eQ Asset Management manages approximately EUR 13.8 billion in assets, providing a wide range of services to both institutions and individuals [2]. - Advium Corporate Finance, part of the Group, specializes in mergers and acquisitions, real estate transactions, and equity capital markets [2].

Core Insights - eQ Plc reported a decline in net revenue and operating profit for the year 2025, with net revenue at EUR 58.2 million, down 11% from EUR 65.6 million in 2024, and operating profit at EUR 27.4 million, down 21% from EUR 34.5 million [4][8] Financial Performance - The Group's net revenue for the Asset Management segment decreased by 3% to EUR 56.9 million, while operating profit fell by 5% to EUR 32.0 million [4][14] - The Corporate Finance segment's net revenue was EUR 1.7 million, a significant drop of 67% from EUR 5.3 million, with an operating profit of EUR -1.4 million compared to EUR 1.5 million in the previous year [4][16] - The Investments segment reported an operating profit of EUR -0.7 million, down from EUR 1.1 million, negatively impacted by changes in the value of residential funds and exchange rate fluctuations [4][17] Key Ratios - Earnings per share decreased by 21% to EUR 0.52 from EUR 0.66, with a proposed dividend also reduced by 21% to EUR 0.52 [5] - The cost/income ratio for the Group increased to 52.9% from 47.4%, indicating higher operational costs relative to income [5] - Return on equity (ROE) fell by 18% to 30.3% from 36.8% [5] Asset Management Insights - eQ Asset Management raised over EUR 230 million for Private Equity and Residential funds, with the eQ PE XVII US fund raising USD 190 million [9] - The management fees for the Asset Management segment fell by 5% to EUR 53.1 million, while performance fees increased by 24% to EUR 4.4 million [4][14] - Assets managed by eQ at the end of 2025 amounted to EUR 13.8 billion, up from EUR 13.4 billion in 2024 [5] Market Conditions - The year 2025 was characterized by geopolitical uncertainties, including the trade war and ongoing conflicts, which influenced market conditions [6][19] - Despite challenges, share prices rose in 2025, supported by strong corporate earnings and developments in artificial intelligence [7] - The Finnish real estate transaction market showed growth compared to the previous year, although overall market liquidity remained low [19][20] Strategic Outlook - eQ's updated strategy aims to return to strong growth by 2030, focusing on enhancing customer and employee experiences and expanding business internationally [18] - The company anticipates an increase in Private Equity allocations in investor portfolios, expecting Private Equity fees to rise in 2026 [22]

Amundi: Fourth quarter & Full-year 2025 results Successful launch of the new strategic plan: Record annual net inflows +€88bn & pre-tax income1 up +6%2 vs. 2024 Very dynamic activity Record assets under management3, at €2,380bn at end-December, +6% year-on-yearRecord net inflows of +€88bn in 2025, of which +€21bn in Q4 Positive inflows in both passive management (+€76bn) and active management (+€13bn) thanks to fixed income and multi-asset strategies Positive inflows from Retail, Institutional and joint ven ...

Core Thesis - Cohen & Steers, Inc. (CNS) is positioned as a compelling investment opportunity due to its focus on niche asset management in real estate, infrastructure, and preferred securities, benefiting from the U.S. Federal Reserve's policy shift from tightening to easing [3][4] Financial Performance - CNS's share price was $64.58 as of January 29th, with trailing and forward P/E ratios of 21.53 and 19.19 respectively [1] - The company has seen a recovery in financial performance, with Q3 2025 revenues increasing by approximately 12% year-on-year and positive fund flows after nine quarters of outflows [5] - Morningstar projects operating margins to rebound to 35–38% and revenues to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 7% through 2029 [5] Assets Under Management (AUM) - CNS has a total AUM of $90.9 billion, with about two-thirds invested in global real estate and the remainder in preferred stocks and infrastructure, indicating a narrow economic moat and client loyalty [4] - The firm maintains a balanced AUM distribution across institutional, open-end, and closed-end fund channels [4] Financial Health - CNS has a solid balance sheet with no debt and approximately $5 per share in cash, supporting a generous dividend yield of around 4% [4] Market Catalysts - Key catalysts for CNS include the Federal Reserve's easing, rebounding asset prices, and renewed institutional inflows, which are expected to drive a re-rating of the stock [6] - The target price for CNS is set at $88 over the next 12–18 months, representing a potential upside of roughly 40% [6] Comparison with Peers - The bullish thesis on CNS shares similarities with a previous analysis of BlackRock, Inc. (BLK), emphasizing CNS's niche in real assets and recovery driven by Federal Reserve policies [7]

Group 1 - The article discusses the decline in precious metals as investors shift towards the debasement trade following a drop in the Dollar, raising questions about asset allocation during uncertain times [1] - BlackRock's Gargi Chaudhuri emphasizes the importance of focusing on relevant investment themes for the year ahead [1] - Insider selling is occurring at multi-year highs, despite signs of a healthy rotation in the stock market, prompting speculation about what insiders may know [1] Group 2 - The article references the potential impact of the January effect on market performance in 2026, suggesting a legacy worth considering [1] - There is a notable increase in silver prices, which have risen by 25% already in 2026, indicating a possible trend for continued growth [1] - The article highlights the volatility in gold and silver prices, with recent surges and declines prompting investor caution [1]

Core Viewpoint - Federated Hermes, Inc. announces the promotion of Mark Weiss to head of the Prime Liquidity Group, effective July 1, 2026, following the retirement of Paige Wilhelm [1][4]. Group 1: Leadership Changes - Mark Weiss, with over 28 years of experience in trading, research, and portfolio management, will oversee portfolio management and research for prime money market investment strategies, which currently manage $242.7 billion in assets [2][3]. - Paige Wilhelm, who has been with Federated Hermes for 41 years, is retiring after significantly contributing to the growth of the firm's prime funds [4]. Group 2: Financial Overview - As of December 31, 2025, Federated Hermes manages $902.6 billion in total assets, with $682.6 billion specifically in money market assets [5][4]. - The investment management team consists of 34 professionals, averaging 22 years of industry experience, contributing to the firm's strong reputation in credit analysis and liquidity management [4].

Group 1: PICTON Investments Fund - PICTON Investments has launched an open-ended fund focusing on "trophy asset" general partner-led secondary investments, targeting mature, high-quality companies with significant value-creation potential [1] - The fund aims to capture private equity alpha through underwriting discipline, asset quality, and manager selectivity, rather than broad market exposure [1] - Morningside Capital Inc. will lead the sourcing and underwriting of private equity investments for the fund, while PICTON Investments will manage its liquid investments [1] Group 2: CI Global Asset Management Funds - CI Global Asset Management has introduced two new asset-allocation funds that include exposure to non-traditional assets such as gold and bitcoin [2][3] - The CI Balanced+ Asset Allocation ETF Fund allocates approximately 57% to equity securities, 38% to fixed-income securities, and 5% to other assets, with a target allocation of 2.5% each in gold and bitcoin [4] - The CI Equity+ Asset Allocation ETF Fund features an allocation of roughly 92% to equity securities and 8% to other assets, with a target allocation of 4% each in gold and bitcoin [5] Group 3: Sun Life Global Investments Funds - Sun Life Global Investments has launched ETF series for two existing mutual funds, now available on the TSX under the ticker symbols SBLG and SBLI [7] - The funds were renamed to better reflect the proprietary blended research approach used by their sub-advisor, MFS Investment Management [8] Group 4: First Trust Nuclear Power ETF - First Trust Canada has launched the First Trust Bloomberg Nuclear Power ETF, which began trading on January 19, with a management fee of 0.85% [10] - The fund aims to replicate the performance of the Bloomberg Nuclear Power Index and invests in companies involved in nuclear energy production [11][12] - Its top five holdings include Cameco Corp., Doosan Enerbility Co., Ltd., Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., BHP Group Limited, and BWX Technologies, Inc. [13] Group 5: J.P. Morgan Asset Management Fund - J.P. Morgan Asset Management Canada has launched the JPMorgan International Developed Equity Active ETF, which began trading on January 28 [14] - The fund targets long-term capital growth by investing in large- and mid-cap stocks in foreign developed markets, with a management fee of 0.55% [15] Group 6: PIMCO Managed Balanced Portfolio - PIMCO Canada Corp. has launched the PIMCO Managed Balanced Portfolio, a diversified 60/40 asset-allocation fund [16] - The fund allocates 60% to passive global equity ETFs and 40% to actively managed fixed-income funds [16][17] Group 7: Fidelity Global Opportunities Fund - Fidelity Investments Canada ULC has launched the Fidelity Global Opportunities Long/Short Fund, which employs a long/short strategy to navigate various market conditions [18][19] Group 8: Proposed Mining Fund by Next Edge Capital - Next Edge Capital Corp. has filed a preliminary prospectus for a proposed CMP Next Edge 2026 Critical and Precious Metals Short Duration Flow-Through LP, focusing on flow-through shares of mining companies [20][21] Group 9: RBC Global Asset Management Fund Closure - RBC Global Asset Management Inc. plans to terminate the RBC QUBE Low Volatility Emerging Markets Equity Fund on or about March 30, 2026, due to limited growth potential [22][23] Group 10: Fund Changes by Multiple Firms - PICTON Investments will discontinue performance fees for three mutual funds effective January 30 [25] - SLGI Asset Management Inc. will change sub-advisors for two funds, with new names reflecting the change [26][27] - CIBC Asset Management Inc. will change the ticker symbol for one of its ETFs effective February 4 [28] - Invesco Canada Ltd. has changed the risk rating for one of its ETFs from medium to high [29] - BMO Asset Management Inc. has reduced management fees for select ETFs and updated risk ratings [30][31]

MONTREAL, Feb. 2, 2026 /CNW/ - National Bank Investments Inc. (‟NBI") announced today the change to the name and the investment strategies, as well as a management and administration fees reduction for the NBI Global Diversified Equity Fund (the "Fund").Name changeEffective as of February 3, 2026, the Fund will be renamed as follows:Current NameNew NameNBI Global Diversified Equity FundNBI SmartData Global Equity FundInvestment strategies changeEffective as of February 3, 2026, the Fund's investment strateg ...

Core Insights - Vanguard Group has initiated another round of fee reductions across its mutual funds and ETFs, reinforcing its position in an already low-cost industry [2][3] - The asset manager, overseeing approximately $12 trillion, is reducing costs for 84 share classes across 53 funds, resulting in an average asset-weighted expense ratio of 0.06%, a decrease of one basis point from the previous year's record cut [3][4] - Vanguard's fee cuts are part of its long-standing strategy to lower costs, which has pressured competitors to follow suit, although the average fees on new funds are beginning to rise [4] Fee Reductions - The recent fee cuts are estimated to save Vanguard's investors about $600 million over the past two years [5][6] - Vanguard's unique ownership structure allows it to mitigate margin pressures that competitors face, as fund shareholders elect board members who direct excess cash towards lowering costs [7] Revenue Comparison - Despite managing $12 trillion in assets, Vanguard generates significantly less fee revenue compared to its peers, earning about $1.5 billion from its US-listed ETFs last year, while BlackRock earned $5.4 billion from a slightly larger ETF lineup [8] - Vanguard's average fees continue to decline even as it expands into actively-managed funds, which typically have higher expense ratios [9]