Speakers and topics
High yield: unlocking opportunities and avoiding pitfalls
Aegon High Yield Global Bond Fund
High yield bonds had a banner year in 2023, with double-digit returns. As the economic outlook evolves, what lies ahead for the high yield market? Elevated yields are attractive but slowing economic conditions present challenges. While this environment warrants balancing caution and optimism, high yield bonds can serve a key role in investors’ portfolios in the year ahead.
Why not for US smaller companies?
Artemis US Smaller Companies Fund
Despite the recent strong performance of ssmaller companies in the US, this does not dampen Artemis' view that these more domestically-focused businesses represent a significant opportunity for investors moving forward. They firm feels that being active, and flexible in your approach is essential to fully benefit from the diverse opportunity set that is currently available, while also avoiding those areas that are showing greatest weakness.
Capturing value in corporate bonds
Baillie Gifford Strategic Bond Fund
Corporate credit markets currently offer attractive all in yields relative to history. In this presentation, Robert, co-manager of the Baillie Gifford Strategic Bond Fund, will outline the case for corporate bonds and present the Baillie Gifford Credit Team’s best ideas. He will argue that a straightforward, strategic approach to corporate bond investing provides the most solid fixed income platform for balanced portfolios.
In a world of change, take a new perspective
Capital Group New Perspective Fund (Lux)
While change is constant and the world continually adapts, we are currently facing several era-defining shifts happening at the same time, from geopolitics and economic volatility, to transformative developments across artificial intelligence, healthcare and energy. From an investment perspective, it is key to find strategies that can evolve in the same way, with flexibility to capitalise on new opportunities.
Sustainable investing: time for a re-think?
CCLA Better World Global Equity Fund
Eighty-one percent of adults would like the way their money is invested to do some good as well as provide a financial return (FCA, 2022). Few would disagree that this is an appealing idea. Yet, against a general backdrop of higher-than-average fees for below average performance, ESG investing has had a torrid time. Charlotte and Amy will begin by challenging many deep-seated assumptions about the role of sustainable finance in the modern economy, before introducing a fresh and enlightened approach to good investment.
Current market conditions supportive for identifying attractively valued leading companies
IFSL Marlborough UK Multi-Cap Growth
Europe: the case for defensive dividends
Polar Capital European ex-UK Income Fund
Nick will share his views on the outlook for opportunities within European income. He will argue that a contrarian approach to picking good companies that are out of favour is better positioned in the current uncertain macroeconomic backdrop than deep value or expensive growth. He will also discuss how the fund is positioned in light of this, highlighting the assets with characteristics currently piquing his interest.
The case for listed infrastructure: optimism in 2024
Global Sustainable Listed Infrastructure Fund
Rishika will discuss the current opportunity in listed infrastructure and what makes it a good fit for investors looking to achieve compelling financial returns and positive sustainability outcomes. Today, the asset class offers attractive valuations, resilient fundamentals that offer defence in light of market volatility, and complements existing investor allocations. Rishika believes GLI will outperform equities in 2024 and will continue to deliver comparable long term returns to equities at meaningfully lower volatility.
The return of the total return kings
TM Redwheel UK Equity Income Fund
As investors have continued to ignore the historically low valuation of UK equities, two types of buyers have emerged. The first is overseas corporate buyers and the second is UK companies that are now buying back their own stock at the greatest rate in recent history. This presentation will look at how Redwheel believes a combination of dividends and share re-purchases may deliver attractive total returns for investors with potentially minimal risk.
Re-thinking the emerging markets rule book
Schroders Emerging Market Value
What works in emerging markets? Most people will instantly think of growth stocks and equity market returns with strong positive correlations with GDP growth. So most people would be surprised to hear that value has outperformed growth in emerging markets over the long-term. This makes perfect sense. A value investing style was born in the 1930s in the US when the market had many of the characteristics that are present in emerging markets today. While we have seen a style rotation in favour of value over the past three years, Schroders believes the stars are aligning for value during the next decade, with the opportunity set looking extremely compelling. The mood today may be of uncertainty, but Schroders are ready to steer the ship through these stormy waters. As the saying goes: 'a ship in harbour is safe, but that is not what ships are built for'.
From positive opportunity to your portfolio: positioning environmental change in a diversified equity allocation
Vontobel Fund – Global Environmental Change
As Impact Investing matures, opportunities have evolved. Today’s leading companies have scale, offer profitability and durable earnings growth. What do these companies provide that might compliment traditional equities? How can equity investors truly have a positive impact? With 15 years track record, Vontobel has the experience to capture the structural investment opportunity of our age.