About Frans
Frans supports the Chief Economist with the firm’s economic, financial market, and policy analysis and forecasting. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance & Economics) with Honours in Finance (First Class) from the University of Melbourne. Prior to joining IFM Investors Frans was undertaking his Honours degree and was a researcher with the Brain Mind and Markets Lab at the University of Melbourne.
Read our latest insights
10 min read
Economic Update December 2025
Global markets ended 2025 on firmer footing than expected in what was a turbulent year. Tariff shocks faded, but trade tensions and policy uncertainty loom for 2026.
10 min read
Economic Update September 2025
Uncertainty in the global economy remains historically elevated, as equity markets have shrugged off post-‘Liberation Day’ jitters to surge ahead.
15 min read
Optimising for uncertainty: Private debt's role in institutional investor portfolios
Chief economist Alex Joiner examines the strategic role of private debt within institutional portfolios, with a particular focus on its contribution to portfolio defensiveness, diversification and robustness.