Category: Blog

August 26, 2025 A Roll Call analysis examines President Donald Trump’s effort to remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook as part of broader scrutiny of the central bank. The move, widely challenged on legal grounds, reignited debate over the limits of executive authority and the importance of preserving central bank independence, with implications for policy…

September 5, 2025 European policymakers have warned that the use of value-at-risk models by some UCITS funds is enabling leverage levels that rival—or exceed—those of hedge funds, raising concerns about market resilience and the UCITS brand. An EU systemic risk report highlights liquidity and market risks associated with these practices. Michael Pedroni of Highland Global…

September 12, 2025 A Reuters Breakingviews guest commentary examines how rising long-term Treasury yields and mounting political pressure are narrowing the Federal Reserve’s policy options. The piece explores the potential re-emergence of yield curve control as a tool to manage borrowing costs, highlighting tensions between fiscal realities, market expectations, and central bank independence. Full article…

November–December 2025 In a special report for IPE, Michael Pedroni argues that asset managers must engage in authentic, consistent communication grounded in investor interests. Clear articulation of strategy, risk, and long-term objectives, he writes, is critical to building trust, reinforcing alignment, and sustaining institutional relationships. The article positions communication not as marketing, but as a…

November 5, 2025 European asset managers are increasingly affected by the extraterritorial reach of U.S. financial regulation, particularly in areas such as digital assets and ESG, as the EU pares back elements of its regulatory agenda. Market participants describe a shift away from the long-standing “Brussels effect” toward a growing “Washington effect,” with U.S. policy…

December 5, 2025 A European Commission proposal would significantly expand the powers of the European Securities and Markets Authority, including the ability to suspend cross-border activities of asset managers in limited circumstances. The reforms are intended to reduce fragmentation in EU capital markets but have raised concerns about supervisory centralisation, legal certainty, and regulatory overreach.…

August 20, 2025 By Bjarke Smith-Meyer, Kathryn Carlson, and Gregorio Sorgi IT’S NOT OVER UNTIL IT’S OVER: Although many are already back at the office, officially summer will last until 21 September. So MFS has some more book read suggestions for those still enjoying a late break… War tales/1: Michael Pedroni, Highland Global Advisors CEO…

August 19, 2025 By James Van Bramer The Department of Labor has a tall task and a short budget. Less than two weeks ago, President Donald Trump signed an executive order encouraging more access to private investments for participants in 401(k) plans. Last week, the Department of Labor rescinded a 2021 information letter that questioned…

August 10, 2025 By Antoine Gara, Jamie John and Eric Platt  Donald Trump this week opened the private equity and cryptocurrency industries to trillions of dollars in new investments from US retirement savers, potentially reshaping the financial future of 90mn Americans and turbocharging the growth of asset managers and digital currency groups.  Asset managers are…

June 25, 2025 By: Robert Van Egghen Proposed reforms to the EU’s securitisation rules risk “stalling” investment in collateralised loan obligations by asset managers after a recent surge in product launches, according to experts. The European Commission recently published plans to overhaul the EU’s securitisation framework in a bid to encourage lending and boost investment…