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Generali And BPCE Create Europe’s Second-Largest Asset Management Company

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

January 21, 2025

Assicurazioni Generali and BPCE have reached a preliminary agreement to form a joint venture, resulting in the creation of Europe’s second-largest asset management company, valued at nearly €10 billion. The deal, as reported by Bloomberg, will combine the investment units of both firms, creating a massive entity managing approximately $2 trillion in assets.

Key Facts

Ownership: Generali and BPCE will each hold a 50% stake in the new company.
Asset Management: The combined entity will rank as one of Europe’s largest asset managers, just behind Amundi SA, with a substantial portfolio of assets.
Geographic Reach: The holding company for the joint venture will be based in Amsterdam, with operational hubs remaining in France, Italy, and the United States.
Regional Breakdown: 61% of the total assets will be managed in Europe, while 34% will be in North America.
Capital Investment: Generali, managing fewer assets, will contribute €15 billion in seed capital and additional funds over the next five years to help accelerate the growth of the business.
Client Base: More than 50% of the joint venture’s assets will come from insurance and pension funds.
Leadership: BPCE CEO Nicolas Namias will serve as chairman, while Generali CEO Philippe Donnet will take the role of vice-chairman on the board.

Industry Context

This joint venture aligns with a broader trend among European asset managers seeking to enhance their scale through acquisitions and partnerships. In the past year, BNP Paribas acquired AXA’s funds division, and Amundi has been in talks with Allianz regarding its investment arm, Allianz Global Investors. The Generali-BPCE partnership follows this strategic push to increase market presence in a competitive sector.

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Management And Strategy

Both companies will retain full control over their respective asset distribution decisions. Natixis Investment Managers, part of BPCE, owns U.S. firms such as Harris Associates and Loomis Sayles, while Generali has affiliates like Conning & Co., which recently expanded by acquiring MGG Investment Group. This venture allows both firms to operate with a degree of autonomy while benefiting from increased scale.

Conclusion

The Generali-BPCE joint venture signifies a significant reshaping of Europe’s asset management landscape. By combining their resources and capital, the two firms aim to secure a more competitive position in the global market while remaining focused on their strategic objectives and regional expertise.

The Decline Of Smartwatches: A Turning Point In The Wearable Tech Industry

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

March 13, 2025

For the first time in history, the smartwatch market is facing a significant downturn. Shipments are expected to drop by 7% in 2024, marking a major shift in a segment that has been growing steadily for over a decade. A report by Counterpoint reveals that while Apple still holds the top spot, its dominance is being challenged by a surge from Chinese brands like Huawei, Xiaomi, and BBK. Even as the overall market struggles, some companies are thriving.

The Big Picture: Why Smartwatches Are Slowing Down

Apple’s flagship products have long been the driving force in the smartwatch market, but even the tech giant is feeling the pressure. The company’s shipments are projected to fall by 19% this year, though it will remain the market leader. Meanwhile, brands from China are capitalizing on the shift, with Huawei showing an impressive 35% growth in sales, driven by the booming domestic market and a broad range of offerings, including smartwatches for kids.

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Xiaomi, too, is experiencing remarkable success, with a staggering 135% increase in sales. In contrast, Samsung is seeing more modest growth, up 3%, thanks to its latest Galaxy Watch 7 and Galaxy Watch Ultra series.

While some companies are succeeding, the broader market is facing headwinds. The biggest factor behind the overall decline is the slowdown in India, where consumer demand for smartwatches has stagnated. The segment is suffering from a lack of innovation and fresh updates, leaving many consumers with little incentive to upgrade their devices. Add to that market saturation, and it’s clear why many users are content with their current models. The Chinese market, however, is bucking the trend, showing 6% growth in 2024.

A Glimpse Into The Future

Looking ahead, the smartwatch market may begin to recover in 2025, driven by the increasing integration of AI and advanced health monitoring tools. As these technologies evolve, the industry could see a resurgence in demand.

Huawei’s Remarkable Comeback

Huawei’s impressive performance in the smartwatch space signals a broader recovery for the company, which has been hit hard by US sanctions. Once the world’s largest smartphone maker, Huawei’s business was decimated when it lost access to advanced chips and Google’s Android operating system in 2019. But in China, Huawei has maintained its dominance, with its market share growing to 17% in 2024.

This resurgence was partly driven by the launch of the Mate 60 Pro, a smartphone featuring a 7-nanometer chip developed in China. Despite US sanctions, the device surprised many with its capabilities, a testament to China’s rising investment in domestic semiconductor production.

In February, Huawei also unveiled its Mate XT foldable smartphone, the world’s first device to fold in three directions. Running on HarmonyOS 4.2, Huawei’s proprietary operating system, the phone further demonstrates the company’s resilience and ability to innovate despite international challenges.

Huawei’s smartwatch offerings are also catching attention, particularly the Huawei Watch GT 5 Pro, which launched in September of last year. With a premium titanium alloy design, a high-resolution AMOLED display, and impressive health tracking features, the GT 5 Pro has become a standout in the market, available to both Android and iOS users.

A Brief History Of The Smartwatch Revolution

The smartwatch market has had its fair share of milestones, but the real breakthrough came in 2012 with the Pebble, a Kickstarter-funded project that raised over $10 million. Pebble introduced the world to smartphone integration, app downloads, and long battery life, becoming the first truly mass-market smartwatch.

In 2013, Samsung entered the game with the Galaxy Gear, marking its first attempt at wearable tech. But it was Apple’s entry in 2014 that truly set the industry on fire. The Apple Watch’s sleek design, integration with iOS, and emphasis on health and fitness catapulted it to the top of the market, establishing a standard that many other brands would try to follow.

By 2021, the smartwatch industry had grown to over $30 billion in revenue, with annual growth reaching 20%. Yet now, it finds itself at a crossroads, with innovation stagnating and market saturation taking a toll.