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Retirement anxiety, rate depression, populism…and what to do about it
Fundamentals

Retirement anxiety, rate depression, populism…and what to do about it

With global interest rates remaining near all-time lows, and $15 trillion of debt providing investors a negative yield, bond-market bears are in danger of becoming extinct. But could today’s ageing society finally provide the trigger for a sustained bond-market selloff?

Effective diversification for a changing world
Multi-asset

Effective diversification for a changing world

Climate Impact Pledge: Tackling the climate emergency
All

Climate Impact Pledge: Tackling the climate emergency

The second annual results of our Climate Impact Pledge showcase the corporate leaders and laggards on climate action; we are encouraged by improvements across sectors but will continue to press companies to meet this era-defining challenge.

Going Dutch: the prospects for and implications of a four-day working week
Politics and Policy

Going Dutch: the prospects for and implications of a four-day working week

A future in which there is less work to be done will radically reshape the economy, with important consequences for investors – including some contrarian implications for the consumer and real-estate sectors.

Remaining bullish as the cycle goes on
Outlook

Remaining bullish as the cycle goes on

We stay bullish on risk assets as we believe the medium term outlook for markets has actually improved

The nuclear option
Energy

The nuclear option

Responsible investing: factor friend or foe?
Index

Responsible investing: factor friend or foe?

Can environmental, social and governance concerns (ESG) fit within a factor-based portfolio? In this article, we tackle two issues: the inconsistency in methodologies for ESG scoring, and ways to integrate ESG considerations into factor portfolios.

Brace for a credit squeeze
CIO Outlook

Brace for a credit squeeze

Unfortunately for markets, our bearish outlook for 2018 came to pass. For 2019, the key question is how tightening fnancial conditions will impact heavily indebted borrowers – and whether this raises the risk of recession.

Investing in the twilight zone
Outlook

Investing in the twilight zone

The economic expansion of the last decade has been a consistent tailwind for financial assets. We see next year as the start of the twilight zone between expansion and an eventual downturn that will likely mark the end of the cycle.

The natural income buffer
Decumulation Demystified

The natural income buffer

Investors’ objectives and risks change when they move from saving for retirement to drawing down an income. Due to sequence risk, we have found that the type of income withdrawn matters a great deal to final outcomes.

Investing in future cities
Demographics

Investing in future cities

What determines a city’s future success and how is this linked to property investment?

Are battery prices in for a shock?
Energy

Are battery prices in for a shock?

Freedom for the central banks
Politics and Policy

Freedom for the central banks

In the next economic downturn, central banks will likely have to reach further into their unconventional playbook. But which policymakers have the most freedom to act and what does that mean for asset prices?

US midterms: three scenarios for investors
All

US midterms: three scenarios for investors

The American midterm elections are approaching and the crystal ball gazing has begun. Here’s what investors should consider regardless of whether the US votes for a ‘distilled Donald’, the ‘Democratic double’ or a ‘divided democracy’.

Keeping calm and staying invested
Multi-Asset

Keeping calm and staying invested

Taking the fear out of FOMO (‘fear of missing out’)

Late-cycle dynamics and low-risk portfolios
Multi-asset

Late-cycle dynamics and low-risk portfolios

America first… but for how long?
Multi-Asset

America first… but for how long?

Whether you’re looking at equities, bond yields, currencies or economic strength, it’s the US that’s been leading the charge. Is this likely to continue?

Good growth, poor politics
Multi-Asset

Good growth, poor politics

Developments in trade tensions, emerging markets and European politics may determine the trajectory of markets over the coming months.

Demographic strategy: the cost of unhealthy living
Demographics

Demographic strategy: the cost of unhealthy living

Raising the retirement age can help with the fiscal costs of living longer. But our unhealthy lives could force us to look at other options.

What the battle against plastic means for oil demand
Energy

What the battle against plastic means for oil demand

Cleaning up the world’s plastic waste will be a monumental effort – one which will have major implications for petrochemical companies and the long-term demand for oil.