Dear readers, In the next few months, we'll probably take big steps back towards normality, thanks to vaccination in Europe. That is wonderful. At the same time, however, it is now high time for some fundamental thinking - about the role of the state, economic policy and monetary policy. It's about exiting emergency mode. No doubt about it. When disasters strike, the state is called upon. After that, it should back off. Currently, the discussion is exactly the opposite. Father state is supposed to provide higher wages, more social security, more regulation, more justice and more prosperity. Individual responsibility, competition and the market economy are being written in small print right now. Is that what we want? The stories in this...

Although the quotations of most stock indices are close to their record levels, two thirds of the members of the Lerbach Competence Circle are betting on rising prices in the coming six months as well. They have good arguments for this.

Too much optimism, too high expectations, prices rising too quickly - this is how one third of the Lerbach Competence Circle comments on the situation on the stock markets.In the course of the next six months, the experts expect significant setbacks.

Real Estate. The demands on players in the real estate industry are changing rapidly. "More than ever before, investors have to view each property as an independent corporate commitment and, above all, keep an eye on ESG aspects," analyse Thomas Wiegelmann, Managing Director at Schroder Real Estate, and Jan Linsin, Head of Research at CBRE in Germany.

Sustainable investment. In future, more and more capital will only be made available to companies that behave in an exemplary manner in terms of ESG - environmental, social and corporate governance. Or make a positive contribution to our society through their business model, products and services. A megatrend has gained momentum and will continue to accelerate in the future.

Impact Investment. Investments in innovative companies with a positive impact on the environment and society are increasingly becoming the focus of investors. But putting this idea into practice is not entirely straightforward. "Measuring and controlling the actual impact is just as big a challenge as building an optimized portfolio from the many exciting companies. We have developed a special approach for this," explains Huub van der Riet, long-standing manager of the NN (L) Global Equity Impact Opportunities Fund.