Women should consider diversified investment portfolios to mitigate risks and optimize returns over the long term keeping in mind their investment objectives, says Shibani Kurian, Senior Executive Vice President, Fund Manager & Head – Equity Research, Kotak Mahindra Asset Management.
In an interview with MintGenie, Kurian said that tailored investment education programs, mentorship opportunities, and success stories of women investors can inspire and build confidence.
Edited Excerpts:
What according to you should be done to attract more women to invest in equities?
Financial freedom is of utmost importance for women helping them take control of their destinies and lead lives of empowerment and independence. Financial freedom is not possible without investing in the future. Hence, there is a growing need for women to understand asset allocation including investing in equities. Investing in equities is often considered alien to women. However, to the contrary, women naturally embody the very characteristics needed to be successful equity investors.
To encourage more women to invest in equities, there is a need for a focused effort on financial education that is accessible and relatable. Tailored investment education programs, mentorship opportunities, and success stories of women investors can inspire and build confidence. Creating platforms that offer supportive communities for women to share experiences and learnings can significantly impact their investment journey.
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What is your take on the role of mutual funds in building financial knowledge and securing a stable financial future for women?
Mutual funds are pivotal in building financial knowledge and securing a stable financial future for women. They offer a simplified entry point into the investing world, allowing women to benefit from professionally managed portfolios. Mutual funds also provide educational resources that can help demystify the investing process, making it more approachable for beginners.
How does one benefit from investing through SIPs?
Investing through systematic investment plans (SIPs) benefits investors by instilling discipline, offering the advantage of rupee cost averaging, and allowing the flexibility to start with small amounts. SIPs make it easier to commit to long-term financial goals and can be particularly advantageous in building wealth gradually without the pressure of timing the market.
Why and how should women opt for a diversified investment portfolio?
Women should consider diversified investment portfolios to mitigate risks and optimize returns over the long term keeping in mind their investment objectives. Diversification across asset classes, geographies, and sectors can help cushion against market volatility. This approach aligns with the principle of not putting all eggs in one basket, thereby, securing investments against unforeseen market downturns.
There is an increasing presence of women in the financial industry. Do you think it has brought the necessary impact in shaping investment strategies?
The increasing presence of women in the financial industry has indeed made a significant impact. Women supporting women creates a much larger impact encouraging other’s to join the path to financial freedom. Women often bring diverse perspectives and innovation to investment strategies, contributing to more holistic and balanced decision-making. Their growing influence also promotes gender diversity and inclusivity, which can lead to more tailored financial products and services that cater to a broader range of investors.
How can women work towards building a robust retirement portfolio?
Women can work towards building a robust retirement portfolio by starting early, making informed investment choices, and consistently reviewing and adjusting their portfolios to align with changing financial goals and market conditions. Emphasizing investments in a mix of equities, fixed income, and other asset classes, depending on risk tolerance and time horizon, is key to building a retirement corpus that can withstand inflation and provide stability in the golden years.
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Baker McKenzie today announced that leading project finance lawyer Matthias Schemuth has joined the Firm’s Singapore office* as a Principal and Asia Pacific Co-Head of Projects in its Finance & Projects practice, alongside Partner Jon Ornolffson in Tokyo.
Matthias joins the Firm from DLA Piper, bringing more than 20 years of experience in the energy and infrastructure sectors across Asia Pacific. He advises sponsors, developers, commercial banks, multilateral lending agencies, and export credit agencies on the structuring and financing of large-scale projects. His practice also spans international banking, structured commodity and trade finance, with a strong focus on emerging markets. Matthias has been consistently recognised by Chambers Asia Pacific and Who’s Who Legal as a leading project finance practitioner.
James Huang, Managing Principal of Baker McKenzie Wong & Leow in Singapore, said: “We are excited to welcome Matthias to our team. His expertise and proven record in managing teams will be invaluable as we expand our regional and global finance offerings for clients.”
Emmanuel Hadjidakis, Asia Pacific Chair of Baker McKenzie’s Banking & Finance Practice, commented: “Asia Pacific is seeing strong momentum in infrastructure development, energy transition investments, and cross-border project financing, much of it centred in Singapore. Having Matthias on board will further enhance our ability to help clients seize opportunities in the region’s evolving energy and infrastructure markets.”
Steven Sieker, Baker McKenzie’s Asia Chief Executive, added: “Matthias’s appointment underscores Baker McKenzie’s continued commitment to investing in exceptional talent across key markets to support our clients in navigating today’s increasingly complex business and regulatory environment.”
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Matthias said: “I’m thrilled to join Baker McKenzie and contribute to its strong growth in Asia Pacific. The Firm’s global reach and local depth provide an unparalleled platform for delivering innovative projects and financing solutions to clients in this dynamic region.”
With more than 2,700 deal practitioners in more than 40 jurisdictions, Baker McKenzie is a transactional powerhouse. The Firm excels in complex, cross-border transactions; over 65% of our deals are multijurisdictional. The teams are a hybrid of ‘local’ and ‘global’, combining money-market sophistication with local excellence. The Firm’s Banking & Finance lawyers are ranked in more jurisdictions than any other firm by Chambers.
Matthias’s hire continues the expansion of Baker McKenzie’s global team. His joining follows the recent arrivals of Carole Turcotte in Toronto; Tom Oslovar in Palo Alto; Jenny Liu in New York and Palo Alto; Helen Johnson, Mark Thompson, Nick Benson, Kevin Heverin, James Wyatt and Michal Berkner in London; Jan Schubert in Frankfurt; Todd Beauchamp and Charles Weinstein in Washington DC; Dan Ouyang, Winfield Lau, and Ke (Ronnie) Li in Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong; and Alexander Stathopoulos in Singapore.
*Baker McKenzie Wong & Leow is the member firm of Baker McKenzie in Singapore
The Federal Reserve gave investors an early Christmas present by lowering interest rates by 25 basis points (i.e., 0.25%) marking its third rate cut this year. In the past, a change like this in the “long end” of the interest rate yield curve has triggered a predictable, investable pattern. Typically, this pattern would be bearish for finance stocks, particularly banks—investors would buy bank stocks when rates rose and sell them as rates fell….
Dozens of protesters from the “Religious Zionist Reservists Forum” and the “Shared Service Forum” demonstrated Saturday evening outside the home of Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich in Kedumim.
The protesters arrived with a direct and pointed message, centered on a symbolic “draft order,” calling on Smotrich to “enlist” on behalf of the State of Israel and oppose what they termed the “sham law” being advanced by MK Boaz Bismuth and the Knesset’s haredi parties.
Among the protesters in Kedumim were the parents of Sergeant First Class (res.) Amichai Oster, who fell in battle in Gaza. Amichai grew up in Karnei Shomron and studied at the Shavei Hevron yeshiva.
Protesters held signs reading: “Smotrich, enlist for us,” along with the symbolic “draft order,” calling on him to “enlist for the sake of the State’s security and to save the people’s army – stand against the bill proposed by Bismuth and the haredim!”
Parallel demonstrations were held outside the homes of MK Ohad Tal in Efrat and MK Michal Woldiger in Givat Shmuel.
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Representatives of the “Shared Service Forum” said: “We are members of the public that contributes the most, and we came here to say: Bezalel, without enlistment there will be no victory and no security. Do not abandon our values for the sake of the coalition. The exemption law is a strategic threat, and you bear the responsibility to stop it and lead a real, fair draft plan for a country in which we are all partners. It’s in your hands.”
