This was our event
Frankfurt’s Alte Oper once again provided the backdrop for Lupus alpha Investment Fokus – the 23rd edition of this long-running investor event.
Ralf Lochmüller, CEO of Lupus alpha, highlights the idea of a retirement savings account, which can reap the long-term benefits of compound interest, once described by Einstein as “the eighth wonder of the world”.
Prof. Dr. Thomas de Maizière, long-serving Head of the Federal Chancellery, Federal Minister of the Interior and Federal Minister of Defence, noted that there is increasing public support for fundamental reform.
Those present on the morning podium agreed that Germany and Europe need to prepare for tougher times. Uncoordinated action will give Europe no chance.
Dr. Herbert Diess, former group CEO of Volkswagen, sees opportunities in a direct dialogue with Donald Trump, who he said has an extremely mercantile view of the world.
Jeffrey Rathke, President of the American-German Institute, Washington, does not expect any resistance to Donald Trump’s political agenda from inside Congress.
ZDF political expert Theo Koll said that Germans have not yet mentally adjusted to this oft-cited era of epochal change.
Dr. Götz Albert, CIO at Lupus alpha, and Portfolio Manager Björn Glück made it clear that “We aren’t buying Germany, we’re buying companies.”
Prof. Dr. Markus Brunnermeier, professor of economics at Princeton University, called for a more pragmatic and resilient approach to dealing with crises.
Maximilian Biagosch, Head of Europe at Canadian state pension fund CPP Investments, emphasised the fund’s complete independence from government influence.
Those gathered on the Capital Markets Podium agreed that a capital markets union is vital for greater independence from the USA.
Timm Höynck, Head of Portfolio Management at R+V Versicherung, highlighted growing scepticism among investors and widening spreads, particularly in France and Italy.
Sonja Laud, CIO at Legal & General Investment Management, warned that underweighting China could be painful given its status as the world’s second-largest economy.
Wolfgang Ratheiser, Vice President Corporate Finance & Treasury, Porsche AG, pointed out that around 70% of investors in German large caps come from the UK and the USA.
Alexander Raviol, Partner, CIO Alternative Solutions at Lupus alpha, noted that inflation and negative real interest rates could be the only way to escape the global debt mountain without a crash.
Dr. Tobias Ohler, CFO of Wacker Chemie AG, spoke about how chemicals can be found everywhere in modern technology, all the way up to the greatest challenges of our age.
Ralf Lochmüller with Princeton economist Markus Brunnermeier and Maximilian Biagosch, Head of Europe at CPP Investments.
Ralf Lochmüller in conversation with Prof Dr Thomas de Maizière on the fringes of the Lupus alpha Investment Fokus.
Ralf Lochmüller thanks the day’s host, Corinna Wohlfeil from ntv. We look forward to seeing you again on 6 November 2025.
Save the date for our next Investment Fokus conference!