SWF. Foreign investment funds owned by national governments and financed by the country's foreign currency reserves (dollar, euro, yen), often through their central banks or via direct investments. The term sovereign wealth fund was introduced in 2005, but the first SEF was introduced in 1953 by the government of Kuwait (' Kuwait Investment Authority,' a commodity SWF). These funds are now major players in the world financial markets. The combined assets of the major SWFs (owned by 20 governments) have reached over three trillion dollars, and are expected to reach over 10 trillion dollars by 2012. Although the current total amount makes up only some 3 percent of the world's traded securities, the SWFs already have tremendous concentrated financial power. Over half of the SWF assets are owned by oil and gas exporting nations, and about one third by Australia, China, and Singapore. SWFs are aggressive investors and have bought into firms as diverse as Morgan Stanley, General Electric, and Sony.
Related information about sovereign wealth funds:
- Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute - The Source on Sovereign Wealth ...
The Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute is a global organization designed to study sovereign wealth funds and other long-term governmental investors in the areas ...
- Sovereign wealth fund - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A sovereign wealth fund (SWF) is a state-owned investment fund composed of financial assets such as stocks, bonds, property, precious metals or other financial ...
- Sovereign Wealth Funds - Council on Foreign Relations
Jan 28, 2009 ... A primer on government funds charged with investing currency reserves for profit.
- FT.com / In depth / Sovereign funds
Pressure for greater transparency from sovereign wealth funds is rising because ... Sovereign wealth funds are believed to be exploring the possibility of buying ...
- Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) Definition | Investopedia
The funding for a sovereign wealth fund (SWF) comes from central bank reserves that accumulate as a result of budget and trade surpluses, and even from ...
- Sovereign Wealth Funds News
Sovereign Wealth Funds and their impact on global economy.
- IFSWF | International Forum of Sovereign Wealth Funds
The International Forum of Sovereign Wealth Funds (IFSWF) was established by the International Working Group of Sovereign Wealth Funds (IWG), which met in ...
- IWG Home page-- International Working Group (IWG) of Sovereign ...
The International Working Group of Sovereign Wealth Funds (IWG), which met in Kuwait City April 5-6 2009, reached a consensus ("Kuwait Declaration") on the ...