It is sometimes frustrating to report, every year, on something as unfailingly disappointing as the real return of European supplementary pensions. It is a feeling akin to that of a preacher in the desert. Then, someday, you read something from the European Commission which makes you hopeful: People need to be able to access safe,
Listing and delisting are the entry and exit doors of public equity markets, yet only the former has meaningfully shaped EU policymaking. Recent reforms — most notably the 2024 Listing Act — focused on easing IPOs and reducing issuers’ regulatory burdens as part of Europe’s shift toward more market-based financing, notably for SMEs. The 2025 Savings and Investments Union
Transition investing, or investing in emission-reducing activities, has not become obsolete in 2025. Global investment amounted to about $2.1 trillion in 2024, led by renewables, electric vehicles, and grids. China is now firmly in the lead; the United States is holding steady; the European Union dropped relative to 2023. However, the world is investing far
According to the definition adopted by the World Health Organisation (WHO), “Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of an objectively existing disease or disability” (World Health Organization, 1946). However, it appears that in addition to the three areas mentioned by the WHO, a fourth key
A BETTER FINANCE Focused Paper on Fractional Investing The rapid expansion of neobrokers across the European Union has fundamentally reshaped the retail investment landscape by introducing mobile-first, low-cost platforms characterised by streamlined access to financial markets. Central to this transformation is the advent of fractional investing, allowing individuals to acquire portions of securities for minimal
Executive Summary This report provides a comprehensive analysis of shareholder engagement and the transition of capital flows in Europe. Structured across five key chapters, each addressing critical aspects of shareholder engagement and transition strategies. Coordinated efforts from policymakers, professional investors, and corporate issuers to address existing barriers and promote effective transition investing are instrumental to
Research Report – BETTER FINANCE’s report, “Enhancing Financial Health and Wealth in the EU,” explores strategies to boost retail investor participation in the European Union’s capital markets, which remains limited despite the growing availability of financial tools and services. The report identifies three key pillars—financial education, personalised financial advice, and digital tools—as essential to addressing
Executive Summary The global financial landscape is increasingly focusing on transition investing, a strategic approach to channelling capital towards aspiring sustainable economic activities. This paper provides an overview of the current state, challenges, and opportunities in transition investing, with a particular emphasis on European markets and retail investor perspectives. BETTER FINANCE also assesses transition finance
Was 2023 the year when European retail investors finally obtained the “fairer deal” that outgoing European Commissioner Mairead McGuinness had wished for them (McGuinness, 2023)? As far as long-term and pension products are concerned, this report presents mixed results. While we published the full 2024 edition of the pension report, here we will present the
Was 2023 the year when European retail investors finally obtained the “fairer deal” that outgoing European Commissioner Mairead McGuinness had wished for them (McGuinness, 2023)? As far as long-term and pension products are concerned, this report presents mixed results. While European capital markets performed strongly in 2023, helping many pension funds and life insurance companies