L&G Talks Asset Management

With so much to uncover about how private market investments could fit into DC pension fund strategies, we look at some of the challenges and how they might be addressed.

Rita Butler-Jones, Head of DC at Legal & General, is joined by Christy Lindsay, Head of Private Markets Distribution, and Martin Dietz, Head of Diversified Strategies, to discuss what we mean by private market investments, the potential benefits of these type of assets for DC savers, and the obstacles that need to be overcome to access opportunities for scheme members in a responsible way.

For professional investors only. Capital at risk.

The accuracy of opinion polls has meant that the initial reaction of sterling assets to a new government has been relatively muted. But irrespective of a change of politicians, for investors the key issues remain the same – namely the rise of geopolitics, immigration, deglobalisation and fiscal versus monetary policy. 

In this podcast, our panel of experts  - Sonja Laud, Chief Investment Officer, James Carrick, Global Economist and Chris Jeffery, Head of Macro Strategy - discuss the issues facing today’s investor, while concluding that, given combined risks have increased, our preference, as ever, is to achieve the right mix of uncorrelated asset classes and return profiles. 

This podcast is hosted by Mark Johnson, Head of UK Institutional & Wholesale and was recorded on 05 July 2024.

For professional investors only. Capital at risk.

How should investors aim to navigate the wave of election uncertainty currently enveloping financial markets? Is  Nvidia a classic example of concentration risk? And to what extent might ballooning deficits impact global productivity? Ben Bennett, Head of Investment Strategy, Asia also explains why central bankers are keen to see a weaker dollar relative to other currencies.

This podcast is hosted by Frances Watson, Senior Content Manager.

All data sourced from Bloomberg as at June 2024.

For professional investors only. Capital at risk.

In this special episode, we mark the publication of our 2024 Climate Impact Pledge report, by discussing the highlights and key findings of our engagement efforts over 2023 and 2024 so far.

Launched in 2016, through our Climate Impact Pledge, we encourage companies to reduce climate change risks and transition to a net-zero economy.

Join Stephen Beer, Head of Responsible Investment Strategic Relationships and ESG Analysts, Anna Hirai and Cristy Rodriguez as they explain how the Pledge works, which sectors have scored well and which fell short, and what ‘engagement with consequences’ means.

For professional investors only. Capital at risk.

Whilst LGIM has integrated Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations into its investment decision-making and stewardship practices, this does not guarantee the achievement of responsible investing goals within funds that do not include specific ESG goals within their objectives.

All data sourced from LGIM's 2024 Climate Impact Pledge as at June 2024 

As bond investors look towards the second half of 2024, we hear from Colin Reedie, Head of Active Strategies, regarding the myriad of forces driving financial markets currently. Colin also gives us a deep dive into credit spreads, all-in yields, the return of fiscal policy and makes some interesting parallels with the 1970s which, he believes, could shape the remainder of this year and next.

This podcast is hosted by Frances Watson, Senior Content Manager, and was recorded before the FOMC meeting on 12 June 2024.

Yield data is sourced from LGIM and Bloomberg as at 13 May 2024.

For professional investors only. Capital at risk.

Where next for investors in light of the Indian election result? Are Chinese bond yields seemingly low relative to their Western counterparts, or should they be even lower given China’s underlying structural problems? And will the upcoming US payrolls add to the narrative of a cooling US economy? Ben Bennett, Head of Investment Strategy, Asia explains all.

This podcast is hosted by Frances Watson, Senior Content Manager and was recorded before the European Central Bank decision.

All data is sourced from Eikon as at 04 June 2024 unless otherwise stated.

For professional investors only. Capital at risk.

Saturday 8 June is World Ocean Day, which this year has the theme of catalysing action for our ocean and climate. It’s a timely reminder of the vital importance of water, and the increasing gap between supply and demand.

But what’s the economic cost of water scarcity, and how might technology help provide some solutions? Discussing these ideas are:

·       Alex Burr, our ESG Policy Lead within our Investment Stewardship team

·       Ellie Piscopiello, Senior ETF Analyst

·       Shichen Zhao, ETF Thematic Research Analyst

This podcast is hosted by Harry Brooks, European Content Manager.

For professional investors only. Capital at risk.

Sources:

-            CDP estimate of the financial impact of water risks: Huge financial opportunity revealed from tackling global water crisis - CDP 

-            Water consumption of ChatGPT: Study from researchers at the University of Colorado Riverside and the University of Texas Arlington in the US

-            Economic impact of lack of access to clean water: The World Bank: Water overview, 2024 

-            Water demand to outstrip supply by 40% by 2030: The Guardian: Global fresh water demand will outstrip supply by 40% by 2030, say experts, 2023 

-            Water tech growth estimate: GWI, Straits Research, Transparency Market Research, Precision Business Insights, Data Intelligence, 2023

-            UK water company spending estimates: https://www.water.org.uk/news-views-publications/news/water-companies-propose-largest-ever-investment

-            Digital water solutions and services market growth estimate: Global Digital Water Solutions and Services Market Research Report Feb 2023 

-            European Investment Bank water infrastructure project spending: European Investment Bank: Maximising scarce resources: EIB updates its water sector policy, 2023 

-            US Bipartisan Infrastructure Law spending on clean water initiatives: https://www.epa.gov/infrastructure

Are tighter lending conditions finally impacting the US consumer? What’s behind the apparent divergence in equity and credit markets? And why is the price of the red metal on the rise? Ben Bennett, Investment Strategist APAC explains all. Ben also touches on UK inflation and Chinese bonds.

This podcast is hosted by Frances Watson, Senior Content Manager and was recorded before the release of Nvidia’s Q1 earnings.

All data is sourced from Eikon as at 21 May 2024, unless otherwise stated.

For professional investors only. Capital at risk.

In a follow-up to our February podcast that introduced commodities as an asset class, we return to the subject. This time around, we explore the intersection of geopolitics and commodities, how the transition to clean power is changing demand patterns, and the outlook for some specific commodities – including the yellow metal. Our speakers are Elisa Piscopiello, Senior ETF Analyst, and Francisco Blanch, who is Managing Director, Head of Global Commodities and Derivatives Research at Bank of America.

This podcast is hosted by Harry Brooks, Content Manager.

Figures on the declining cost of renewable power are from BloombergNEF as at June 2023.

For professional investors only. Capital at risk.

With DB schemes maturing rapidly amid higher funding levels, talk of endgame strategies is all around.

Yet what specifically are we referring to when we talk about a scheme’s endgame? And what are the different endgame options available to schemes? 

Lastly, how can investment portfolios be managed to help schemes build a bridge to their chosen endgame destination?

Lisa Purdy, Head of DB Solutions Distribution, and Ian Blake, Senior Solutions Strategy Manager, explain all.

For professional investors only. Capital at risk