Markets delivered another year of strong returns, driven by AI momentum and cyclical sectors. We review portfolio performance, explain currency impacts, and outline how we manage risk while identifying areas of long-term opportunity amid shifting valuations and geopolitical uncertainty

In this edition of Portfolio Spotlight, Sarah Ball and Mark Wallace are joined by Henry Engelhardt, Founder and CEO Emeritus of Admiral. They the discuss the importance of culture, and its correlation with business success.

Markets have climbed steadily to new highs, led once again by technology and momentum stocks. In this podcast, we look at how our portfolios performed in comparison and why we continue to avoid areas where valuations look stretched. We then discuss the risk of irrational exuberance in markets, how we are protecting portfolios and where we still see long-term opportunity.

Sarah Ball, our Investment Specialist, sits down with Hugo Capel Cure, Co-Head of Portfolio Management, and Hughie Jessel, Head of Fund Research, to unpack the role of diversifying assets in how we construct portfolios. 

Despite a strong close for markets this quarter, the path there was far from smooth. In this episode, we look at how our portfolios performed through the volatility, and where we made adjustments, both in terms of equity holdings and protection strategies. We also discuss our views on wider macroeconomic conditions, interest rates and currencies, and the areas where we continue to find long-term value.

In this episode, Sarah Ball, our Investment Specialist, sits down with Rorrie Mars, Equity Analyst, to explore the investment case for Texas Instruments (TI), demystifying the world of analog semiconductors and why TI stands out in a rapidly evolving industry.

The first quarter of 2025 saw global stocks hit new highs, then pull back, as investor sentiment shifted in an uncertain environment. In this podcast, we discuss the factors affecting performance, how we've positioned portfolios more defensively over the last year, and where we believe the best opportunities may lie in future. While we also address the recent market developments sparked by President Trump's 'Liberation Day' tariffs and our thoughts on what they mean for our portfolios, please note this podcast was recorded on 9 April before the announcement of a pause in tariff increases.

In this portfolio spotlight podcast Sarah Ball, our Investment Specialist, speaks with Nicola Muirhead, Equity Analyst, to discuss the outlook of some long-standing holdings within our portfolio, US cable stocks: Cable One, Comcast and Charter Communications.

Global stocks were up nearly a fifth in 2024 – a second year of double digit returns, with the US and its tech juggernauts being the driving seat of a narrowly led market. However, the imminent return of President Trump, bolstered by a Republican sweep of Congress has caused uncertainty around the ‘MAGA’ agenda, and what the impact will be in the US and globally.  

In this podcast, CEO Helen Watson, is joined by Victor Balfour, Global Investment Strategist, and Hugo Capel Cure, Co-Head of Portfolio Management, reflect upon our performance in 2024, and look ahead to 2025.

In this portfolio spotlight podcast Sarah Ball, our Investment Specialist, speaks to Hugo Capel Cure, Co-Head of Portfolio Management, to discuss the decision-making process we use when choosing a company to invest in, including why some businesses do not make the cut.