Insight - Markets

We’re living in an era in which human activity is radically changing the planet, according to a raft of scientific data. Bryn Jones, lead manager of our Ethical Bond Fund, explains how this influences his team’s long-term decisions.

Financial markets remained rocky in April amid growing worries about the downside risks to global growth. The one bright spot was company earnings which, by and large, proved better than expected. From here, what matters most for investors is whether there will be a recession. The risks have risen – we’re working with a 30% probability within 12 months – but it’s not our base case and that means we’re staying invested. 

US tech firms have played a dominant role in driving stock market returns for several years. Co-chief investment officer Ed Smith asks: will future innovation continue to be concentrated in America? And where should investors look to for the next wave of tech innovation?

As central banks harden their stance on inflation, financial markets are experiencing short-term upheaval. But if economies remain strong, stocks should soon bounce back. 

When markets get hammered, everything trades together explains business development executive Julianne Smith. And this may open up opportunities for savvy investors.

You’d think that two years of pandemic-induced uncertainty would persuade David Coombs to stop trying to predict the future, yet here we are. Our head of multi-assets gives his lucky dice another blow…

A worrying new strain of COVID-19 has rattled investor confidence, while further complicating the unusually broad spread of paths for inflation and interest rates. But the economic recovery remains resilient.

As our offices start to fill back up again, we may not be sitting as comfortably as we might have hoped. But we do have reasons to stay cheerful.

The children have returned to classes and the adults seem to be drifting back to the office. The pandemic still looms large though, affecting travel, spending and taxes.