As inflation rises, a global recession looms, and chatter of cryptocurrencies replacing fiat money persists, the importance of financial literacy has never been more evident. Some argue that personal finance not being taught in schools is a general failure of the education system to identify the most relevant skills students should possess.

Others claim it is a parent’s responsibility to ensure their children are financially literate. Irrespective of which of these sides is correct, the fact remains that as adults, we are all responsible for managing our finances - whether paying off mortgages or student debts, or building and diversifying our wealth portfolios to prepare for retirement.

In the UAE, this is an afterthought for close to half of the country’s population; 45 per cent of residents say they have not yet started saving for retirement, and 40 per cent will only start saving 10 years or less before they are set to retire. For comparison's sake, approximately 75 per cent of American adults have begun saving for their ‘golden years’.

If you are not a part of the 33 per cent of adults worldwide who have sufficient financial education, here are some things you can do to change that:

## Use the 50/20/30 budgeting rule
Coined by US Senator Elizabeth Warren, the 50/20/30 rule is a budgeting tactic that entails splitting your after-tax income into three categories of spending:

- 50 per cent on needs;
- 30 per cent on wants; and
- 20 per cent on savings..

If you are a resident of the UAE, you are in an advantageous situation to maximize on saving potential as you keep everything you earn. With that said, avoid the traps of overspending and ignoring delayed gratification. Instead, follow the 50/20/30 rule to create a reasonable budget, stick to it, and realize your financial goals.

## Think of it like a burger
Allocate 50 per cent of your total earnings to cover necessities like paying down debts, buying groceries, maintaining your health, and so forth - these are the buns that hold your financial potential together. If half of your salary is not enough to cover these expenses, you can downsize by, for example, limiting your use of taxis and frequenting the metro or compromising on luxury elements of your life.

While it’s important to be responsible, so is enjoying your life. This will help you make the 50/20/30 rule a sustainable staple in your life. That’s where the 20 per cent - the lettuce, tomatoes, and other preferred condiments - fit in. You can use this percentage of your savings for ‘luxuries’ like Netflix subscriptions and Starbucks coffee orders, as well as more miscellaneous expenses like going out with friends or buying gifts for family members.

Finally, the meat. This is the best 30 per cent as it makes your burger complete. It is crucial, and the reason that you are considering following this blueprint in the first place. In the short-term, 30 per cent of your savings may not seem like much, but in the long run, it makes a huge difference.

Use this allocation to create an emergency fund - something you should aim to have at least three months of savings for - to invest in stocks, and of course, to prepare for retirement.

## Harness technology and youth
Almost 50 per cent of the UAE is aged between 15-35 years and this reinforces the importance of millennials and Gen Z in propelling the country’s growth[1].

Younger generations are more in tune with digital platforms and advancements in technology, and there are a plethora of online resources that are widely available for them to learn and improve. The next step is applying what is learned, as theory is nothing without practice.

For instance, if you learn about commodity trading from YouTube channels, make sure you try your hand at actually doing it on a reputable platform. If you still don’t feel comfortable, at least you are now better educated on the subject and you can reach out to a wealth management platform to help you build your wealth while having a better understanding of what’s going on every step of the way.

##Plant your seeds now
According to a 2019 financial literacy survey, 43 per cent of UAE respondents between 16-24 felt unready to manage their own money, and 53 per cent said schools didn’t prepare them enough to manage their finances. The country has since taken steps to improve this, by rolling out initiatives like Ghaya in November 2020, to support UAE Nationals and their subsequent contributions to economic growth.

However, nearly 90 per cent of the UAE’s population is made up of expatriates and proactive action is still needed to enhance the region’s current financial literacy rate of 30.7 per cent. This will help the UAE catch the likes of Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, and Finland, all of which boast financial literacy rates ranging between 63-71 per cent.

As the Chinese proverb goes: ‘The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is today…’

As published by [GulfNews](https://gulfnews.com/your-money/expert-columns/uae-expats-could-do-with-a-502030-budgeting-model-1.1674042451103)

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UAE expats could do with a 50/20/30 budgeting model

Considering he started his first company at the age of 16, it’s little wonder that the young and dashing Bas Kooijman is the Co-Founder and present CEO of the prestigious DHF Capital SA, in just over a decade. An entrepreneur, trader, investor, coach, author and speaker, Bas is a promising young turk in the global financial world. 

Speaking about how starting young was a step in the right direction, he shares, “I started my first company in IT when I was 16, having done some paid work making websites the years prior. My IT firm supported SME companies in the Netherlands. I later switched to specialize in datacenter and cloud solutions which landed me very nice freelance clients before starting my telecom firm. First supporting SME companies with a great Digital Telecom Service, we eventually became a wholesale provider to IT and Telecom companies to help them stay ahead of the competition. This firm expanded to 35 countries and we were trading in 7 currencies before I sold the firm in 2015 and became a full time Currency Trader and Investor.”

Today, Bas is the CEO of DHF Capital SA in Luxembourg, a securitization firm for financial services. They also manage 3 hedge funds with strategies he’s developed over the last 8 years of trading. They have managed to have 36 months positive returns of 1-3% monthly profits and averaging 26% per year ROI for their investors. With the securitization part of the company, Bas can make products that fit the larger clients; with the funds, he can help everyone else grow their portfolio. 

“I want to help more customers at DHF Capital with their personal and corporate finance goals. We can create custom finance products by listening to their needs. I love this part as Asset Manager the most. Next to that, we want to make the DHF Alpha, Gamma and Forex funds well known to professional investors so that they can enjoy their money growing with our trading strategies, and become a top 100 financial firm worldwide,” he says.

With over 17 years of experience in IT, Telecom and International Business, Bas has created ‘The Infinity Tool’, a proprietary Tradingview trading tool. His other services include Coaching, Live Speaking Events, and Forex Training. 

Passionate about coaching, Bas has personally coached 100s of students from over 20 countries on how to be profitable in the Forex Markets. He has also trained many traders and people who want to become traders, yet, “I can teach everyone how to trade but I learned not everyone can become a trader. It’s a mental game that requires focus and patience and many people don’t hold this long enough. That’s why I saw I can help people by letting them invest in the right financial products that DHF is offering with professional traders that I got to know very closely over the years. This way I can help traders and investors improve their financial future.”

Just like any other good leader, Bas is a creator – he creates products, opportunities, jobs, and solutions for any problems on the way. “A follower cannot reasonably expect the compensation to which a leader is entitled, although many followers make the mistake of expecting such pay’, he quotes from the book Think and Grow Rich, adding, “Leadership is the next level and requires creation of new skills and hard work. Become an ‘Intelligent Follower’ first and turn yourself into an efficient leader over time.”

He also suggests goal-setting as a critical element for achievement. Big on setting goals for the week, month, year and every ‘round age’ like 30-35-40 and so on, Bas feels having a plan with goals keeps you on track even when you’re pushed off course all the time. Never one to give up, ‘You just can’t beat the person who won’t give up,’ is the life slogan he lives by. 

Reaching the goals you’ve set is probably the best feeling one can have, and Bas is fortunate to have experienced it innumerous times. Few of his achievements include: 

Certified Financial Technician (CFTe II) at IFTA – International Federation of Technical Analysts;

MSTA status at the Society of Technical Analysis in London;

Associate Member (ACSI) at the CISI – Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment;

Investment Advisor (EU Brokerage License) and Investment Information Provider (IIP) at the Baltic Financial Advisors Association (BFAA).  

A sailing, saxophone and golf enthusiast, he has also written the book ‘Trading and Investing’ so people can learn about the difference, as also how to trade as an investor with patience. The book is an easy read and helps traders in their first years with many tips and tricks. More info and where to buy the book on baskooijman.eu/book.

“A man for all seasons, we end by asking Bas what his biggest challenges are nowadays, to which he answers:”: “For me, the biggest challenge is to find the right sales professionals. Not many people want to do the legwork that is required to sell a financial product. You have to grow your network, build trust, work hard for many hours, and make sure you land some clients while expanding this network. Most sales people give up too early or delay their results at the start for not having some quick wins that keeps them afloat. However, hard work beats talent every time!”

As published on [passionvista](https://www.passionvista.com/bas-kooijman/)

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From Young Entrepreneur to Financial Icon

The world has undergone four major recessions since the 1950s, the most recent of which was the longest economic downturn since the Second World War.

In the year following what is now infamously referred to as the Great Recession, economic activity declined in half of all countries around the globe and the after-effects included rising unemployment rates and a reduction in wages — even in some of the most advanced economies.

While official global growth in 2022 is recorded at 3.6 per cent and contradicts any sign of a decline that previous major recessions indicated, there is a 98.1 per cent chance of a world recession looming on the horizon, according to Ned Davis Research.

The recession model has only ever cited such a high probability during the 2008 financial crisis and in 2020, amid Covid-19.

Many countries are only just recovering from the aftermath of the pandemic, while some are still struggling to find their feet.

Fears of a looming recession are the last thing anyone wants to hear about but if one is lurking around the corner, taking strategic steps towards being prepared is the best course of action.

## Be prepared, but not scared

In the early 2000s, Amazon sold $672 million in convertible bonds to secure its financial position. About a month later, the dotcom bubble burst. More than 50 per cent of all digital start-ups were forced to shut down over the next few years.

Amazon’s decision to deleverage when it did, ultimately enabled the company to become the global powerhouse that it is today.

Whether you are an individual, couple, family or corporation, being prepared today will translate to your success tomorrow.

By reducing any pending debts, without incurring additional ones, a recession will be less intimidating to deal with.

Selling off liabilities such as cars, delaying major purchases and cutting down on holiday spending will increase your cash flow so that you can deal with a looming crisis.

Alternatively, you can also take smaller but still effective steps by spending less on “luxuries” such as premium coffees and online subscriptions to keep cash in your pockets — if you practice delayed gratification, you will be better off.

## Be conscious of contingency

Shrinking your debt overnight is easier said than done.

If you are unable to off-board a mortgage plan or instantly rid yourself of student debt, then the next best thing is to ensure you have an emergency fund.

This is the cornerstone of good financial planning and in addition to offsetting the effects of a recession, it is also helpful in dealing with other unforeseen circumstances such as a serious illness or a change in personal circumstance.

The size of your emergency fund will depend on your lifestyle and associated variables, including income, costs and dependents, to name a few.

With so many moving parts, a general rule of thumb is to stash a minimum of six months’ worth of expenses, but remember that this isn’t a nest egg for a long-term savings plan or a holiday. It is a safety net that should only be tapped into in the event of an emergency.

Furthermore, work on building a profitable fund that is liquid with unfixed terms.

Over time, this allows you to easily have access to cash flow and to reinvest it when opportune moments arise so that you can, over time, save up your yearly expenses by 20 times more to become financially free.

##Be a savvy investor

If you have successfully mitigated your risk by lessening or eliminating debt and pulled together some emergency savings, it is time to think about the future.

The market is expected to remain volatile as professional investors assess recession odds.

It could take some time for stock prices to bounce back from the market’s sell-off of more than 17 per cent in the year to date.

This makes it an opportune time to invest money that you can do without for the next few years, as it can allow you to build wealth for longer-term goals such as retirement.

Stocks, bonds and real estate investment trusts are some of the many available avenues you can pursue to secure your financial future amid the projected 2023 recession.

The bottom line is that a recession will affect all of us in one way or another, but a little preparation upfront will help you to sleep easier and be advantageous in the long run.

As published by [The National News](https://www.thenationalnews.com/weekend/2023/01/06/how-to-prepare-for-a-recession/) 


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How to be ready for a recession

As inflation rates rise, a global recession looms and the chatter around cryptocurrencies replacing fiat money persists, the importance of financial literacy has never been more evident.

Some argue that personal finance not being taught in school curriculums is a general failure of the education system to identify the most relevant skills that pupils and students should possess.

Others claim that it is a parent’s responsibility to ensure their children are financially literate. Irrespective of which of these sides is correct, the fact remains that, as adults, we are all responsible for managing our finances.

Yet, global data shows that only 35 percent of men and 30 percent of women are financially literate, according to Standard & Poor’s Global Financial Literacy Survey.

If you are not a part of the 33 percent of adults worldwide who have sufficient financial education, here are some things you can do to be better informed so that you can pay off pending debts and save for retirement.


## Diversify your assets
Diversifying your portfolio to encompass various asset classes can reduce your financial risk.

This can include investing in stocks, bonds, cryptocurrencies, property and other assets to ensure no single one can bankrupt you.

Although rising inflation rates are out of your control, you can still take advantage of them by hedging your investments in financial assets that prosper during such times.

Consider banks, for example. They provide loans and collect interest on them. With inflation causing higher interest rates, lenders generate higher profits from their loans.

Similarly, you can invest in assets such as gold and real estate, which have been traditionally preferred as good hedges against inflation.



Some investors even prefer investing in stocks with the hope of offsetting inflation in the long term.

As Warren Buffett says: “Diversification is protection against ignorance.”

## Pay off your debts
Whether it is a student loan or a mortgage, make sure you pay off your debt as soon as possible.

Global debt — borrowing by governments, businesses and people — is at dangerously high levels.

In 2020, global debt was at $226 trillion, according to the International Monetary Fund. But it reached a record $303 trillion in 2021 to reflect the biggest one-year debt surge since the Second World War, the Institute of International Finance said.


Covid-19 contributed to this significant increase as it caused high spending on measures to protect jobs, lives and livelihoods.

Furthermore, global turmoil is adding risks to unprecedented levels of public borrowing and the current debt wave is the world’s fourth since 1970, according to the World Economic Forum.

Watch: What is a recession?
High levels of debt can force households to cut some areas of spending, such as food or fuel. While it is never pleasant to have to dial back your budget, it is essential to secure your financial future.

By focusing more on saving, you will be able to rid yourself of any pending debts, build an emergency fund, avoid reliance on credit if your car breaks down or home appliances need to be replaced, and save for retirement.

## Save for retirement
Even affluent people worry about retirement.


A 2021 survey by Natixis of people with at least $100,000 in investable assets found that 42 per cent worry that retirement won’t be an option for them.

This was a clear sentiment across the 24 countries in Asia, Europe, Latin America and North America that were included in the survey group.

Moreover, 62 percent of those polled, despite being part of a group in which more than half rate their investment knowledge as strong, said they need professional advice selecting investments in their retirement plans.

With the wealthiest investors seeking financial advice, enhancing your knowledge in this space is crucial.

In today’s world, there are infinite resources and opportunities to do this, but it is vital to apply what you learn as theory is nothing without practice.

For instance, if you learn about commodity trading from YouTube channels, make sure you do it on a reputable platform.

If you still don’t feel comfortable, at least you are now better educated on the subject and can reach out to a wealth management platform to help you build your wealth, while having a better understanding of what’s going on every step of the way.

Globally, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Canada, the UK, Germany, Australia and Finland have the highest financial literacy rates, which range between 63 percent and 71 percent, according to the S&P Global survey.

There is still a sizeable gap in global financial literacy rates that needs to be addressed and these tips are only a few of the many that can help us get there.

Even if you have not started or you are still behind, there is no better time than the present to get ahead.


As the Chinese proverb goes: “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is today.”

As published on [The National News](https://www.thenationalnews.com/weekend/2022/12/16/how-to-address-the-gap-in-global-financial-literacy-rates/?outputType=amp)

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How to address the gap in global financial literacy rates

Bas is equipping investors with the know-how and tools to succeed in the future economy.

Dubai, UAE : Bas Kooijman is the CEO and Asset Manager of DHF Captial S.A., a Luxembourg-based securitisation firm that assists professional and institutional investors; he co-founded the company in 2020, championing and informing investors to secure wealth opportunities that otherwise would not be accessible to them. His proven track record includes accolades such as building two companies, one of which he sold in 2015, and recognition as a published author which has helped earn him the trust of countless investors across the globe.

As a full Member of the Society of Technical Analysts (MSTA) in London, and a Certified Financial Technician (CFTe) at the International Federation of Technical Analysts (IFTA), Bas’ wealth of experience enables him to provide expertise within the industry from both an investor and trader's standpoint. Seeking out and assisting investors who are looking to build up their financial portfolios, clients across his firm have witnessed 36 months of positive returns of 1-3% and secured an average return on investment of 26% per year.

**Bas Kooijman, the CEO and Asset Manager of DHF Capital**, commented: “Unfortunately, financial literacy is not something that traditional schooling systems offer. With the world being more innovative, fast-paced, and technologically more advanced than ever before, being an informed investor provides you with the understanding that you have the power to affect marketplace change - and the know-how to actually do it. This is why I’m trying to bridge this gap between the traders I work with and the financial future that they desire.”

An advocate of peer-to-peer leadership, Bas’ approachable personality allows each of his clients to access personalised services and first-class management. His book, Trading and Investing, which was published in October 2020, is an available resource that explains the similarities and differences of public trading, as well as the fundamentals of patience as both an investor and trader. Passionate about crunching numbers to produce profits or growth potential for others, he lives by the motto: “If you are too big for the small things, you will soon be too small for the big things”.

As published by [Zawya](https://www.zawya.com/en/press-release/companies-news/bas-kooijman-is-making-wealth-creation-more-accessible-and-affordable-for-all-rfkmubu1).

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Bas Kooijman is making wealth creation more accessible and affordable for all

The past year has seen incredible success rate at the DHF Capital offices owing to business growth and expansion in the global footprint. DHF Capital is amongst the first companies worldwide that provide exclusive bespoke solutions to form clients’ financial investment portfolios. With the number of investors on the rise, it is the best time to expand its leadership team in order to streamline operations in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and other focused markets the United Kingdom (UK) and Europe.

Bas Kooijman, former Asset Manager, takes the lead for DHF Capital as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) while Anupam Kumar, a former and seasoned banker fits into the robust role of the Chief Information Officer and Jenny Selest completes the team as the Global Operations Director.

On his appointment as the **CEO of DHF Capital, Bas Kooijman** says: “Since the inception of DHF Capital, I have witnessed steady growth of the securitisation business as an Asset Manager and have only been motivated to push the boundaries further. I am deeply honored and appreciative of my role as the CEO and eagerly look forward to working with the talented team. In the coming days, we would be rolling out bespoke investment solutions and subsequently launch the new Alpha, Gamma and Forex funds. The following months will also be spent meeting new investors and representing the company in select conferences and seminars in significant markets like the UAE, UK and Europe.”

**Bas Kooijman** started his early career at the young age of 13 and after a series of successful stints from making websites to dabbling in the cloud computing & data centre space to eventually exploring the world of telecom, he finally co-founded DHF Capital and took on the reins as the Asset Manager. Bas has taken up advisory roles in different financial companies to help them achieve growth and success. He eventually bagged various financial statuses like MSTA at the Society of Technical Analysis in London, a certification of Financial Technician (CFT) and the International Federation of Technical Analysts (IFTA). Bas has accumulated his experiences in a book called, “Trading and Investing” and was recently awarded with title of the top 50 Entrepreneurs by the esteemed ‘Disruptor’ magazine. He is also a coach who trains home traders on trading risks and strategies.

**Anupam Kumar**, Chief Information Officer says: “I am happy to come onboard as the Chief Information Officer at DHF Capital and looking forward to contributing positively towards the company growth. Known to provide a high level of security, reliability, and quality of life for all its citizens and residents, the UAE provides a steady environment and ample opportunities for financial growth. DHF Capital creates bespoke investment solutions for investors and seems a great fit for the UAE market. The Investment management industry in UAE is on the rise and we really look forward to seizing the opportunity by tapping all those who want to invest in the region.”

A Computer Science Engineer turned Finance professional, Anupam has earned his executive MBA, Finance, from S P Jain Inst. of Global Management, Dubai Campus. Anupam is also a certified wealth professional and has attained his certification from CISI (ICWIM), UK and from Securities & Commodities Authority (SCA) of UAE. His career span of 15+ years includes working as an Investment Specialist – Mashreq Bank, Wealth Manager – HDFC Bank and Branch Sales Manager with ICICI Bank.

**Jenny Selest**, Global Operations Director at DHF Capital has a rich experience of working in well-known corporations, including one of the largest insurance companies AIG as well as one of the largest travel marketplaces, Booking.com as a Team Leader. Jenny’s previous work experience as a Project Manager in private aviation will also add immense value to her current portfolio.

With the senior leadership team in place and new partnerships underway, DHF Capital is raring to go. DHF Capital’s focus for the next few months will be to create a range of bespoke investment solutions followed by an impressive roll out of the Alpha, Gamma & Forex funds in UAE and other significant markets like UK & Europe.

DHF Capitals’ philosophy focuses on creating wealth management solutions that apply to its clients’ diverse personal financial objectives. The company believes ‘creating wealth is as important protecting wealth’.

As published on: [https://www.zawya.com/en/press-release/companies-news/dhf-capital-announces-the-expansion-of-its-operations-in-the-uae-and-other-focused-markets-like-europe-and-uk-p8llilkp](https://www.zawya.com/en/press-release/companies-news/dhf-capital-announces-the-expansion-of-its-operations-in-the-uae-and-other-focused-markets-like-europe-and-uk-p8llilkp)

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DHF Capital announces the expansion of its operations in the UAE and other focused markets like Europe and UK

Bas Kooijman started his early career when he was only 13 years old. He used to work on the first websites for his customers and soon opened his first company in IT just when he was 16. While working on his company, he moved towards the cloud computing and data centre space where he explored the world of telecom companies. His passion for telecom grew over time and enabled him to build his own telecom company VOIP in the Cloud and later Wholesale Telecom company Brokerteam, which has operated in 35 countries and in 7 currencies. 

Seeing the currency exchange live on the operations side of his company, Bas decided to move to finance after selling Brokerteam in 2015. Since then he has developed himself into a professional trader while managing funds for various companies as Asset Manager, at DHF Capital SA, which he co-founded, and supported retail traders as a coach. He also enjoys taking advisory roles in different financial companies to help them grow. Bas eventually bagged various financial statuses like MSTA at the Society of Technical Analysis in London and certification of Financial Technician (CFT) at the International Federation of Technical Analysts. 

Apart from being an entrepreneur and working in the financial industry, Bas has accumulated his experiences in his book, “Trading and Investing”, which explains the differences and similarities between the two topics. Furthermore, he has developed his own “Infinity Trading Tools” software that traders can use to identify the trend and trade with it. Bas spends Mondays hosting a weekly overview session on the streaming platform Tradingview for his followers and as a coach navigates people to the right and lucrative trading techniques.

His coaching sessions aim to hone traders and their trading strategy and mindset while they are trading the real market. The trading course is an in-depth guide to different aspects of trading, starting from the basics to more advanced topics such as risk management and psychology while leveraging practical learning. Bas shares his own tips, tricks, and strategies in the course so that students can apply them in their own trading journey, accentuate their prospects of passive income and fully understand their role as a trader or investor.

As he thrives on his financial knowledge and his prudence with money, he has become one of the most sought-after coaches and entrepreneurs in recent years. His extensive experience has enabled him to grow into a successful entrepreneur and trader, where he continues to be passionate about teaching people and helping them reach their financial goals.

This year, he is coaching 200 people to propel their success on the trading ground. In the coming years, he plans to upgrade and automate his strategies to enable more people to trade and invest using his methods. With relentless learning and a passion for helping people build wealth, Bas continues going beyond boundaries and introducing people to the world of trading and investing.

As published on: [https://disruptorsmagazine.com/bas-kooijman/](https://disruptorsmagazine.com/bas-kooijman/)

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Bas Kooijman in Disruptors 50 under 50

**How can a mix of equities, commodities, and currencies work in harmony to deliver steady returns and with moderate risk?**
We’ve found that steady returns can be achieved through a mix of those assets, while our portfolio construction and proprietary software effectively manage the risks.

Consider foreign exchange, for example, where we take long-, medium-, and short-term trading positions. The medium- and long-term trading strategies, each about 40% of the currency portfolio, are generally the lower-risk/lower-return piece of the portfolio. The short-term currency trading portfolio (20%) is higher risk but higher reward, functioning as an additional alpha driver. Risk is managed through automated software that monitors and limits trader risk to 1% of their capital per day, with a stop loss set at 10% of their portfolio.  

We view commodities as the ultimate risk mitigator of economic cycles. Long-term investments in physical assets like gold and silver have proven to be a very effective hedge against market downturns. We believe a 2:1 position of commodities to equities is appropriate to insulate a portfolio against such events and maintain that as part of policy.

The remaining equity portfolio is based on the top-quartile global equity performers, focusing our long-term vision around a sustainable mix of technology, emerging market, and commodity companies.  

**The past eight years have posed unique challenges; how has your strategy navigated these pain points?**
We see currency as an economy’s stock price. Economic events like the sovereign debt crisis in Greece and the Brexit Referendum in 2016, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic, created significant volatility. With Greece and Brexit, the events were locally focused and allowed for significant asset dislocations compared with the rest of the world.  

The volatility created by COVID-19 was initially very uneven, allowing hedging strategies to thrive. Facing the worldwide outbreak, we managed our risks when all markets showed extreme conditions, and continued trading with our strategies as markets stabilized.  

**Your portfolio uses a real estate corporate guarantee to protect investors from significant drawdowns. Does this mean the strategy is still susceptible to periods of high stress?**
Downside protection is top of mind for many of our clients and, while they all understand that markets will go through periods of high stress, our objective is to give them peace of mind. Our real estate backing flows from our philosophy that these high-stress periods shouldn’t be passed on to our clients and can be mitigated by our investment strategy.  

**How are you positioning yourselves in 2022?**
Based on our previous years’ results and strategy, we’ll continue working as we have done. Needless to say, we always keep a close eye on all worldwide assets; if the markets do show the need for a change in strategy, we’ll not hesitate to do so in order to keep delivering consistent positive results for our investors.


As published on [https://www.preqin.com/insights/research/blogs/stemming-crisis-through-global-diversification](https://www.preqin.com/insights/research/blogs/stemming-crisis-through-global-diversification)