Global insurers plan to ramp up private equity investments

[BENGALURU] Insurers want to put more money into private equity this year as they contend with rising inflation and its effects on monetary policy, a survey by Goldman Sachs Asset Management showed on Monday.

More than 40 per cent of insurers plan to increase their investments in private equity in the next 12 months to boost returns, according to the survey of 328 executives overseeing more than US$13 trillion in insurance assets.

"Against a complex macroeconomic and geo-political environment, demand for yield remains high, and we expect to see insurers continue to build positions in private asset classes as well as inflation hedges," said Michael Siegel, Global Head of insurance asset management.

Middle market corporate loans, infrastructure debt, real estate equity, infrastructure equity and United States investment grade private placements were other favoured asset class for insurers seeking to increase investment returns, the survey said.

The survey found that insurers now see rising inflation and tighter monetary policy as the largest threats to their portfolios.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has darkened the outlook for the global economy by causing a surge in energy and food prices that spells more pain for consumers and businesses and major central banks have raised rates to tame inflation, even in the face of growth risks.

Globally, 92 per cent of investors said they now consider environmental, social and governance factors throughout the investment process, nearly a three-fold increase from 2017.

European insurers represent the only group that plans to increase their green or impact bonds allocation as their top priority this year, the report said.

The report also showed that 11 per cent of American insurers said they are invested in or are considering investing in cryptocurrencies.

REUTERS