QBE to enter alternatives, boost risk assets

Australian insurance group QBE is building its exposure to risk assets and making its first move into alternative investments in light of the continuing low-interest-rate, low-yield environment. This involves increasing its allocation to emerging markets, equity, infrastructure debt, high-yield bonds, leveraged loans and property. And the firm will make more use of external fund managers to do so, said Gary Brader, group chief investment officer at QBE*. The insurer had 7% of it…