As ChatGPT continues to take the world by storm, the debate surrounding artificial intelligence research is intensifying, with leaders like Elon Musk calling for a pause. Today, we are thrilled to cover this highly debated topic as we are joined by Brandon Deer, Chief Strategy Officer at UiPath, a leading provider of enterprise automation software.

Brandon discusses the company's robotic process automation (RPA) technology, its competitive advantages, and how it can help businesses save time, energy, and costs. He also shares his insights on how AI and automation can streamline workflows and take on mundane tasks without displacing human jobs in the long term. Finally, Brandon walks us through three layers of UiPath's AI-practice-oriented processes and third-party integrations that differentiate the company from its competitors, revealing UiPath's business case and competitive moat based on its deep expertise in automation and experience working with heavily regulated industries such as banking and healthcare.

Brandon is also a co-founder and General Partner at Crew Capital, a venture capital firm investing in entrepreneurs building category-defining technology companies. He has been a prolific angel investor and has supported dozens of companies, including Expensify, BetterUp, Cedar and Chainalysis, to name a few. Enjoy!

Today, Kevin T. Carter, Founder and Chief Investment Officer of EMQQ Global, comes back to Opto Sessions to discuss his India Internet & E-Commerce ETF [INQQ], how it captures exposure to Indian companies emerging in these sectors, and the overall potential for growth in South Asia.
Kevin points to the region's large and young middle-class population, becoming increasingly tech-savvy and eager to adopt new digital services and participate in a thriving start-up ecosystem.
In this episode, Kevin also walks us through his recent trip to South Asia. He visited several companies in Dhaka, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi and Lahore - some of which are held in the current ETF portfolio. We conclude the episode by identifying other exciting themes developing in the region, including digital payments. Enjoy!
Listen to our previous interviews with Kevin here:
Learn about EMQQ: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/83-kevin-t-carter-the-biggest-opportunity-in-the/id1504694129?i=1000537073684
Learn about FMQQ: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/109-kevin-t-carter-fmqq-investing-in-frontier-markets/id1504694129?i=1000555793862

Get Opto’s best content every day by subscribing to our FREE Newsletter: www.cmcmarkets.com/en/opto/newsletter
Today, we are pleased to introduce Rakesh Bordia, Principal and Portfolio Manager at Pzena Investment Management, an American firm with recognised expertise in deep value investing.
In this episode, Rakesh brings his understanding of emerging markets to the forefront, shedding light on Pzena's value approach to investing. He delves into the opportunities and challenges of investing in EM, sharing valuable insights on the crucial valuation metrics that Pzena considers.
Rakesh also emphasises the significance of a long-term horizon in EM value investing, providing strategic perspectives on stocks like Alibaba and JD.com and their potential impact on value investors in 2023.
Before joining Pzena in 2007, Rakesh served as a Principal at Booz Allen Hamilton, focusing on innovation and growth strategies. Enjoy!
Thanks to Cofruition for consulting on and producing the podcast. Want further Opto insights? Check out our daily newsletter: https://www.cmcmarkets.com/en-gb/opto/newsletter
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Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.
CMC Markets is an execution-only service provider. The material (whether or not it states any opinions) is for general information purposes only, and does not take into account your personal circumstances or objectives. Nothing in this material is (or should be considered to be) financial, investment or other advice on which reliance should be placed. No opinion given in the material constitutes a recommendation by CMC Markets or the author that any particular investment, security, transaction or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person.
The material has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research. Although we are not specifically prevented from dealing before providing this material, we do not seek to take advantage of the material prior to its dissemination.
CMC Markets does not endorse or offer opinion on the trading strategies used by the author. Their trading strategies do not guarantee any return and CMC Markets shall not be held responsible for any loss that you may incur, either directly or indirectly, arising from any investment based on any information contained herein.for any loss that you may incur, either directly or indirectly, arising from any investment based on any information contained herein.

Get Opto’s best content every day by subscribing to our FREE Newsletter: www.cmcmarkets.com/en/opto/newsletter

Today, we have the pleasure of introducing Tim Seymour, a renowned expert in the cannabis industry, portfolio manager of the Amplify Seymour Cannabis ETF [CNBS] and founder and Chief Investment Officer of Seymour Asset Management.
In this episode, Tim discusses the importance of understanding the cannabis industry as it evolves, the unique opportunities it presents for investors, and the impact of legislation on the market.

Tim also shares his thoughts on big Canadian and U.S. cannabis companies, highlighting tips on how to evaluate them, manage risk, and optimise investment portfolios in this evolving market.

With over 25 years of experience in global and emerging markets, Tim is a recognised voice within the investment community as a trader and market strategist. For the past decade, he co-hosted CNBC's Fast Money. Tim is often cited as one of the top finance professionals on Twitter, including in The Wall Street Journal's "Top Tweets For Your Money".
Enjoy!

Thanks to Cofruition for consulting on and producing the podcast. Want further Opto insights? Check out our daily newsletter: https://www.cmcmarkets.com/en-gb/opto/newsletter

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Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.
CMC Markets is an execution-only service provider. The material (whether or not it states any opinions) is for general information purposes only and does not take into account your personal circumstances or objectives. Nothing in this material is (or should be considered to be) financial, investment, or other advice on which reliance should be placed. No opinion given in the material constitutes a recommendation by CMC Markets or the author that any particular investment, security, transaction, or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person.
The material has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research. Although we are not specifically prevented from dealing before providing this material, we do not seek to take advantage of the material prior to its dissemination.
CMC Markets does not endorse or offer opinions on the trading strategies used by the author. Their trading strategies do not guarantee any return and CMC Markets shall not be held responsible for any loss that you may incur, either directly or indirectly, arising from any investment based on any information contained herein for any loss that you may incur, either directly or indirectly, arising from any investment based on any information contained herein.

Get Opto’s best content every day by subscribing to our FREE Newsletter: www.cmcmarkets.com/en/opto/newsletter
Michael Kantrowitz, Chief Investment Strategist and Managing Director at Piper Sandler, a leading US investment bank, joins Opto Sessions to discuss market cycles and how changes in interest rates affect the economy.
As a seasoned expert in macroeconomic research and investment strategy, Michael explains he created a framework called HOPE - which tracks and stands for housing, orders, profits, and employment - to navigate periods between the beginning of an easing or a tightening cycle and understand how the economy responds to changes in rates. 
In this episode, we also explore the underperformance of housing stocks and Michael's thoughts on the future of the real estate market and the global economy in the next five years.
Previously, Michael worked as Managing Director and Portfolio Strategist at Wolfe Research, LLC from 2010 to 2013 and at International Strategy and Investment Group (ISI) from 2007 to 2010.   Enjoy!
Thanks to Cofruition for consulting on and producing the podcast. Want further Opto insights? Check out our daily newsletter: https://www.cmcmarkets.com/en-gb/opto/newsletter

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Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.
CMC Markets is an execution-only service provider. The material (whether or not it states any opinions) is for general information purposes only and does not take into account your personal circumstances or objectives. Nothing in this material is (or should be considered to be) financial, investment, or other advice on which reliance should be placed. No opinion given in the material constitutes a recommendation by CMC Markets or the author that any particular investment, security, transaction, or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person.
The material has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research. Although we are not specifically prevented from dealing before providing this material, we do not seek to take advantage of the material prior to its dissemination.
CMC Markets does not endorse or offer opinions on the trading strategies used by the author. Their trading strategies do not guarantee any return and CMC Markets shall not be held responsible for any loss that you may incur, either directly or indirectly, arising from any investment based on any information contained herein for any loss that you may incur, either directly or indirectly, arising from any investment based on any information contained herein.

Get Opto’s best content every day by subscribing to our FREE Newsletter: www.cmcmarkets.com/en/opto/newsletter

Today, we sit down with John Ciampaglia, CEO of Sprott Asset Management, at Uncommon in Liverpool Street, London, to discuss the current state of the clean energy transition and the investment opportunities it presents.

In this episode, we focus on the Sprott Energy Transition Materials ETF, which seeks to gain exposure to the metals and materials necessary for the transition. John shares insights on the potential of these materials and how they are likely to play a critical role in shaping the energy industry's future. We also explore the opportunities and challenges of investing in mining companies with exposure to these materials and the role that such investments can play in building a sustainable and resilient investment portfolio.

Before joining Sprott in 2010, John was a Senior Executive at Invesco Canada and held the position of Senior Vice President, Product Development. Prior to Invesco, John worked as Senior Analyst at TD Asset Management.

Enjoy!

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Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.
CMC Markets is an execution-only service provider. The material (whether or not it states any opinions) is for general information purposes only and does not take into account your personal circumstances or objectives. Nothing in this material is (or should be considered to be) financial, investment, or other advice on which reliance should be placed. No opinion given in the material constitutes a recommendation by CMC Markets or the author that any particular investment, security, transaction, or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person.
The material has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research. Although we are not specifically prevented from dealing before providing this material, we do not seek to take advantage of the material prior to its dissemination.
CMC Markets does not endorse or offer opinions on the trading strategies used by the author. Their trading strategies do not guarantee any return and CMC Markets shall not be held responsible for any loss that you may incur, either directly or indirectly, arising from any investment based on any information contained herein for any loss that you may incur, either directly or indirectly, arising from any investment based on any information contained herein.

Get Opto’s best content every day by subscribing to our FREE Newsletter: www.cmcmarkets.com/en/opto/newsletter

Today, we are joined by Tim Bixby, the CFO of Lemonade, a cutting-edge insurance technology company that's been revolutionising the insurance industry with its innovative use of AI and machine learning.
In this episode, we delve into Tim's journey as CFO of Lemonade and his insights into the company's expected growth and path to profitability following its 2020 IPO. We also discuss Lemonade's Maya AI bot, the challenges of disrupting an industry, and innovations in the wider insurtech space. 
Tim has also been serving as Audit chair and Board director of Rent the Runway since 2021. Before Lemonade, he served as CFO of Shutterstock from 2011 to 2015 and CFO at LivePerson from 1999 to 2011.

Enjoy!

Thanks to Cofruition for consulting on and producing the podcast. Want further Opto insights? Check out our daily newsletter: https://www.cmcmarkets.com/en-gb/opto/newsletter

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Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.
CMC Markets is an execution-only service provider. The material (whether or not it states any opinions) is for general information purposes only and does not take into account your personal circumstances or objectives. Nothing in this material is (or should be considered to be) financial, investment, or other advice on which reliance should be placed. No opinion given in the material constitutes a recommendation by CMC Markets or the author that any particular investment, security, transaction, or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person.
The material has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research. Although we are not specifically prevented from dealing before providing this material, we do not seek to take advantage of the material prior to its dissemination.
CMC Markets does not endorse or offer opinions on the trading strategies used by the author. Their trading strategies do not guarantee any return and CMC Markets shall not be held responsible for any loss that you may incur, either directly or indirectly, arising from any investment based on any information contained herein for any loss that you may incur, either directly or indirectly, arising from any investment based on any information contained herein.

Get Opto’s best content every day, by subscribing to our FREE Newsletter: www.cmcmarkets.com/en/opto/newsletter

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Please welcome Jay Jacobs, U.S. Head of Thematics and Active Equity ETFs at BlackRock, where he’s responsible for the research and development of the Megatrends suite, driving the commercialization of these products, as well as managing product sales and marketing for the Megatrend franchise. Jay is also responsible for BlackRock's active equity and international ETF suites.

In this interview, we discuss Jay’s 2023 thematic outlook. Is 2023 the year that investors will need to rethink growth?

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I have the pleasure of introducing Christopher Mellor, Head of EMEA ETF Equity & Commodity Product Management at Invesco, where he’s responsible for leading the team which provides support and analysis for our range of equity ETFs. 

Invesco is one of the largest investment management companies in the world, with a current AUM of $1,409.2 billion as of Dec. 31, 2022.

Chris has over 20 years of experience in finance with a background in investment analysis, economics and portfolio construction, working for several prominent firms such as Credit Suisse, Societe Generale and State Street. Chris has a BSc in Chemistry from the University of Bath and a Doctorate in Philosophy in chemistry from the University of Oxford. 

In this interview, we discuss the future of the blockchain investment theme, its potential currently being underestimated, and an in-depth discussion on the Invesco Blockchain ETF taking apart the numerous sub-themes such as crypto mining, token investments and blockchain payment systems. 

Enjoy!