Since the Financial Crisis in 2008, the world has grown accustomed to low interest rates. Whilst the low interest rate environment has helped companies survive the most severe downturn since the Depression of the 1930s, it has also propped up financial markets and produced potentially dangerous side effects. As financial markets have become addicted to and economies have become reliant on lower interest rates, can central banks increase interest rates without causing major economic disruption?
While this poses a great dilemma for central banks and policymakers, low interest rates also create a challenge for pension funds, endowments, and portfolio managers. How do you balance the risk-return requirements from the beneficiaries if bonds no longer offer an attractive return? What deliberations must a portfolio manager make when facing portfolio management decisions in today’s interest rate environment?
Low interest rates is not the only concern for portfolio managers these days. A growing focus amongst investors and other stakeholders is ESG and the sustainability of their investments. What considerations must one take when venturing into the world of sustainable investing? And how do you integrate sustainable investing into your investment process?
Speakers:
- Knut Kjær, Chairman of FSN Capital and former CEO of NBIM
- Crystal Wan, CFA, BlackRock
- Anna Hyrske, Bank of Finland
- Erlend Fredriksen, CFA, DNB and board member of CFA Society Norway
- Peter Lindström, CFA, Danske Bank and board member of CFA Society Finland