Investment IQ Podcast

Max Rofagha, Founder and CEO of Finimize, joins host Richard Dunbar in the latest episode of the Investment IQ Podcast series. Max and Richard discuss the history of Finimize, how it can tackle the information asymmetry between institutional and retail investors, and how Finimize and abrdn can work together to create a powerhouse for investing information and research. The discussion also touches on the global problem of financial literacy and how ‘learning by doing’ may be part of the answer. This podcast was recorded in July 2022.

In the latest edition of the Investment IQ podcast series, Devan Kaloo and Abby Glennie discuss the current investment environment for equity managers, given both weakness in equity markets globally and the considerable divergence between and within them. Topics covered include the value/growth debate, how mid and small caps might cope in this more challenging macro and market environment, ESG, and China and the broader emerging market complex. Quite a mix. As usual, Richard Dunbar is your host. This podcast was recorded in June 2022.

This podcast was recorded in May 2022, at a time where commodities have been front of mind across all asset classes. Significant moves seen in the commodities themselves, but also driving inflation expectations and therefore bond markets and driving sectors within equity markets. Food and energy prices are driving the cost-of-living debate and both are leading to pressure on politicians and governments. Add the implications of the tragedy in Ukraine and we have a rather complex current cocktail. Richard Dunbar discusses these complexities with Sree Kochugovindan and Bob Minter in the latest edition of the Investment IQ podcast series.

The asset management and savings industry is always changing and always puts difficult choices in front of boards and in front of Chief Executives. And those choices today are perhaps as complex as ever*. And so against this backdrop Richard Dunbar speaks to abrdn CEO, Stephen Bird about the democratisation of savings and technology, building trust for the industry, ESG responsibilities and growth opportunities in China in a wide ranging and candid conversation.

*Episode recorded in February prior to the invasion of Ukraine.

This discussion takes place at a time where real assets are at the centre of the investment debate. Infrastructure spending is at the forefront of many governments’ minds and inflation, and how to protect portfolios against it, is at the forefront of investors’ minds. COP 26 has, once again, highlighted the need for environmental change - central to which will be infrastructure. Elsewhere, the pandemic has thrown up many questions of how we live our lives; and the built environment and the infrastructure that supports them. Richard Dunbar talks to Neil Slater about Real Assets. An asset class that, more than any other, touches our every day lives.

Active management remains under scrutiny, with style and thematic investing at the forefront of discussion. Enjoy this episode of Investment IQ as Richard Dunbar gets the candid views of Katie Trowsdale and Rob Bowie, managers of global multi asset fund of funds, containing both active and passive strategies. Hear what they have to say at this interesting juncture for markets, and how money should be managed within them. 

We have recently been through a period where the financial market plumbing has been tested to its limits. But also a time where the savings market continues to be transformed as governments and companies hand responsibility for retirement to individuals.

Described as the democratisation of the savings market - but a democratisation with implications for the provision of advice, the cost of that advice and where the liabilities attaching to that advice might sit. Richard Dunbar and Rennie McConnochie look back over 30 years in the industry, one they conclude is more professional, better regulated and socially responsible than ever before.


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Don't forget to like and subscribe to our podcast on Spotify, Apple, Google Podcasts or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.

Richard Dunbar speaks to Craig MacDonald, Global Head of Fixed Income and Samantha Lamb, Head of ESG for Fixed Income, in the midst of one of the most difficult economic, market and business environments. We have experienced one of the fastest global economic contractions in history. Credit spreads widened to extreme levels at the fastest rate and then narrowed quite significantly, as central banks stepped in, and as governments provided fiscal support. So where to from here for fixed income? And what of ESG factors - will we see an acceleration of ESG trends, or might this be lost in the fight for survival?

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These are uncertain times the likes many have never seen before. It is also an environment where private markets have rarely been a larger or more important part of the global investment landscape. Richard Dunbar speaks to Peter McKellar, Global Head of Private Markets and Jennifer Mernagh, Multi-Asset Investment Manager about how Private Markets cope with this environment and how they play their part in the recovery from it is crucial to them – but also to the broader global economy.

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Richard Dunbar speak to Devan Kaloo, Global Head of Equities and Flavia Cheong, Head of Asian Equities in the midst of one of the most difficult economic, market and business environments. That being said it is also an environment where both fiscal and monetary policy have proved a very powerful antidote to the early damage done to equity markets when the impact of the virus first hit. So an opportune time to talk and to take stock of where we are in equities at this point in time.

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