How do investors price in geopolitical tensions? And with fewer than two US interest rate cuts now priced into markets, is there any stopping the rise of the US dollar? Against the prevailing market backdrop, what is our take on equities, credit and sovereign bonds? Ben Bennett, Investment Strategist APAC, explains all.

This episode was recorded on 17 April 2024.

All data sourced from Eikon, Bloomberg as at 16 April 2024.

In our first official CIO call of 2024, we weigh how the macro, political and geopolitical outlook might affect the already-impressive rally notched up by many risk assets thus far this year.

During the episode, Sonja Laud, LGIM’s Chief Investment Officer, is joined by Emiel van den Heiligenberg, Head of Asset Allocation, and Tim Drayson, Head of Economics. The panel also discuss:

 

In addition, the panel offer their usual recommendations for extracurricular reading and viewing material.

This podcast was recorded on 11 April and was moderated by Max Julius, Head of Content.

For professional investors only. Capital at risk.

With a wave of new regulation and an ever-increasing range of investment products and solutions from which to choose, the job of wealth managers and financial advisers has not been easy. In this special episode, our panel provides the answers to the questions that are front of mind for financial advisers; namely where do they sit in terms of active versus passive investing, model portfolios or multi-asset investing? Traditional versus alternative assets? And what are the key emerging trends in the industry?  

The panel consists of: Richard Romer-Lee, CEO of Square Mile, Connor Sloman, Managing Director, Morningstar, and James Crossley, Head of UK Wholesale at LGIM.

As we head towards the end of the first quarter, Ben Bennett, Investment Strategist APAC, examines the reasons behind equity and credit strength despite sovereign bond yields remaining relatively high. He also explains why, despite the Bank of Japan raising interest rates for the first time since 2007, the yen failed to strengthen.  

This podcast is hosted by Frances Watson, Content Manager.

In light of a solid macroeconomic backdrop for emerging markets, and a benign currency outlook, why is investor positioning for emerging market debt still light? And what could be the catalyst for renewed interest in the asset class? Join Uday Patnaik, Head of Emerging Market Debt, and Erik Leuth, Global Emerging Market Economist, as they explore these topics and comment on the raft of upcoming elections in both Latin America and Asia.

This podcast is hosted by Frances Watson, Content Manager.

All data sourced from the IMF (growth) JP Morgan (default rate numbers ex-China and outflows) and inflows (LGIM/World Bank) as at March 2024. 

We all know about the gender pensions gap, but what about the risks to women’s retirement prospects after a divorce?

In this International Women’s Day special, Olasumbo Biobaku-Mason, Member Proposition Director at LGIM, speaks to Uche Enemchukwu, ED&I champion and CEO at Nelu Diversified Consulting Solutions, a global company creating meaningful benefits and wellness programs rooted in diversity, equity & inclusion (DE&I) about pension barriers women may face at the end of a marriage.

PCE, CPI and PPI – all forms of measuring inflation and all likely to shape current thinking by the US Federal Reserve and, by implication, other central banks. So, what if June interest rate cuts are pushed out? And how might that affect US investment-grade credit and, ultimately, equities? In alternatives, what’s behind the heady rise in Bitcoin? Ben Bennett, Investment Strategist, APAC, explains all.

All data from Eikon as at 05 March 2024 unless otherwise stated.

This podcast was hosted by Frances Watson, Content Manager.

Given a slew of decent corporate results, is the US economy running too hot? Why are investors shrugging their shoulders over the most recent bout of China stimulus? And what country excels not only at cricket but is also adept at producing strong growth? Ben Bennett, Investment Strategist, APAC explains all.

This podcast is hosted by Frances Watson, Content Manager and was recorded before the release of the Nvidia results.

All data sourced from Eikon as at 20 February 2024.

In the first of our new series of active fixed income podcasts, we talk to Mat Rees, Head of Global Bond Strategies, about the macro events shaping fixed income, deflation in China and European growth divergence. Mat also outlines the importance of bottom-up research in light of the current environment where technical, not fundamental factors, prevail.

This podcast is hosted by Frances Watson, Content Manager and was recorded shortly after the release of the US CPI print.

Source for issuance figures: RBC as at 31 January 2024.

What are broad commodities? Why might an investor want to gain exposure to them as part of a diversified portfolio? And how does the use of futures contracts influence potential returns? 

Michael Stewart, LGIM’s Head of Pooled Index Strategy, offers a straightforward introduction to the much misunderstood ‘third asset class’. 

This podcast is hosted by Harry Brooks, Content Manager. 

All data is sourced from Eikon as at 5 February 2024 unless otherwise stated. 

For professional investors only. Capital at risk.