Charlie Macquaker reflects on 34 years at Walter Scott, sharing insights from his early days to recent research trips in China and Sweden, and discusses the enduring principles that underpin the firm’s investment approach.

• Visiting companies and engaging directly with management teams reveals insights that go far beyond desk-based analysis. 
• As the current AI frenzy echoes the dotcom days, why healthy scepticism is vital for effective long-term investing.
• China’s rapid infrastructure and technological development is reshaping the global competitive landscape.
• While the investment landscape evolves, discipline, adaptability, and trust in the research process remain fundamental to success

Listen to the podcast to learn more.

Resources
-          Inside China's chip challenge: On the road in China (article with video)

Can China wean itself off overseas technology and become self-sufficient in semiconductors? Tom Miedema and Michael Scott visited the country to find out more.

The podcast is intended for investment professionals only and should not be construed as investment advice or a recommendation. Any stock examples discussed are given in the context of the theme being explored, and the views expressed are those of the presenters at the time of the recording.

Stablecoins are now bypassing banks, AI agents are making purchases and global payments are accelerating rapidly. Jamie Zegleman discusses the technologies reshaping the payments landscape, cross‑border flows, and everyday commerce.

• Stablecoins are scaling fast, with over $250bn in circulation and trillions in annual transaction volume — driven by speed, cost efficiency, and growing adoption across crypto trading and international money transfers.
• Agentic commerce is becoming real, as AI agents begin to transact autonomously —booking travel, making purchases, and navigating payment networks with minimal human input.
• Payment giants are evolving, with Mastercard and Visa integrating stablecoin and AI agent capabilities to remain central to digital transactions and cross-border flows.
• European fintech firms are leading innovation, with the likes of Wise, Adyen, Revolut and Monzo solving complex infrastructure challenges and setting new standards in digital finance.

Listen to the podcast to learn more.

Resources

-          Do stablecoins spell danger for Visa and Mastercard? (article)
Stablecoins are growing in popularity, but Investment Manager Jamie Zegleman thinks they are unlikely to dislodge the global payments duopoly of Visa and Mastercard.

The podcast is intended for investment professionals only and should not be construed as investment advice or a recommendation. Any stock examples discussed are given in the context of the theme being explored, and the views expressed are those of the presenters at the time of the recording.

Curious about how Walter Scott is charting a course through volatile stock markets? In this podcast, Investment Manager AJ Kyle and Executive Director Roy Leckie delve into three critical areas:

1. Stock-by-stock scrutiny: Evaluating the supply chains of companies such as Intuitive Surgical to understand their tariff exposure.
2. Project-based analysis: Identifying both defensive and offensive opportunities arising from the tariffs.
3. New idea generation: Exploring opportunities in sectors such as precision instruments and Japanese IT solutions.

Additionally, you’ll find out which areas investors might want to avoid during such turbulent times.

Join AJ and Roy as they also reflect on Warren Buffett, one of the greatest active stock pickers of all time. Mr Buffett recently announced his retirement as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway at the age of 94. They share lessons from his illustrious career that can be applied to investing.

Listen to the podcast to learn more.

Resources

-       Tariff Tempests (article)
The tariff turmoil has shaken markets, as investors ponder the potentially profound changes to the economic landscape. Roy Leckie, Executive Director, discusses some of the challenges ahead in these uncertain times, but remains confident that the world’s leading companies can navigate their way through the current maelstrom.

The podcast is intended for investment professionals only and should not be construed as investment advice or a recommendation. Any stock examples discussed are given in the context of the theme being explored, and the views expressed are those of the presenters at the time of the recording.

How did one man’s prudent attitude spark a multibillion-dollar business empire? On a recent trip to the US, investment analyst Dr Oriana Beaumont visited Fastenal to understand how the industrial giant is still driven by its founder’s razor-sharp focus on cost control.

• Fastenal has transformed itself from a retailer of industrial products to a strategic supply-chain partner
• The Fastenal model continues to evolve, with roomy retail spaces being turned into high-efficiency warehouses dedicated to key accounts
• A cost-conscious founding philosophy drives innovation and benefits for customers

Resources:

• Beyond the ‘Korea Discount’: On the Road in South Korea (article)
  South Korea’s rich ecosystem of cutting-edge companies offers opportunities for investors. Investment manager Connor Graham reflects on some of the standout meetings from his recent week-long trip to the country.

The podcast is intended for investment professionals only and should not be construed as investment advice or a recommendation. Any stock examples discussed are given in the context of the theme being explored, and the views expressed are those of the presenters at the time of the recording.

Japan has a rich heritage in robotics, consumer electronics and the automotive industry. But where are the next growth opportunities? Investment Manager Lucia Gibbard went to Japan to find out. 

• In the foothills of Mount Fuji, robots make robots in total darkness 24/7
• Companies are investing heavily in digital transformation to enhance efficiency
• As the global supply chain diversifies away from China, Japan's semiconductor industry looks set to benefit

Resources:

• ASML - The Future is AI (article)
  ASML’s most recent results sparked volatility across the tech sector. Were investors right to be worried? Investment manager Tom Miedema visited the “the most important tech company you’ve never heard of” to find out more.
• Talking Research Q2 2024 (podcast)
  AI-driven technologies such as ChatGPT are being adopted at breakneck speeds. Because of this, companies are scrambling to keep up – they need smarter software, stronger networks and better computers. This has created huge opportunities for pioneering firms such as TSMC, ASML and Nvidia. Investment managers Tom Miedema and Jamie Zegleman explore whether these innovative companies will maintain their competitive edge.

The podcast is intended for investment professionals only and should not be construed as investment advice or a recommendation. Any stock examples discussed are given in the context of the theme being explored, and the views expressed are those of the presenters at the time of the recording.

For businesses and investors with a global perspective, the immense size of India’s economy, combined with its impressive rate of economic growth, makes it critical to understand. Investment analyst Connor Graham discusses his recent trip to the country where he met with numerous companies across different sectors.

• With almost half of India’s population under the age of 25, the scale of consumers entering the market is hard for businesses to ignore.  
• The turnaround time of Indian ports averages less than one day, which is significantly faster than many ports in the US and Australia. 
• India’s IT services sector sees generative AI as an opportunity to increase functionality, not a threat that will replace software engineers.

Resources:
India Rising (article and film)

The podcast is intended for investment professionals only and should not be construed as investment advice or a recommendation. Any stock examples discussed are given in the context of the theme being explored, and the views expressed are those of the presenters at the time of the recording.

A visit to China highlights the perils of making generalisations about such a vast and complex country. Investment manager Paul Loudon reports back from the bright lights of Chengdu, Chongqing and Hong Kong whilst investment manager AJ Kyle provides an update on the team’s recent travels and investment insights.

Key takeaways

• There are palpable signs of an economic buzz in Chengdu and Chongqing, from the cranes on the skyline to a shiny new airport.
• But consumers are cautious. Manufacturers of baijiu, China’s favourite spirit usually enjoyed at banquets and celebratory events, spoke of notable weakness, pointing to the sombre mood of Chinese consumers.
• China currently imports 40% of the natural gas it consumes. The desire for energy security is driving remarkable innovations in solar power technology. 

The podcast is intended for investment professionals only and should not be construed as investment advice or a recommendation. Any stock examples discussed are given in the context of the theme being explored, and the views expressed are those of the presenters at the time of the recording.

 AI-driven technologies such as ChatGPT are being adopted at breakneck speeds. Because of this, companies are scrambling to keep up - they need smarter software, stronger networks and better computers. This has created huge opportunities for pioneering firms such as TSMC, ASML and Nvidia. Investment managers Tom Miedema and Jamie Zegleman explore whether these innovative companies will maintain their competitive edge. 

The podcast is intended for investment professionals only and should not be construed as investment advice or a recommendation. Any stock examples discussed are given in the context of the theme being explored, and the views expressed are those of the presenters at the time of the recording.

For investment professionals only

In a wide-ranging discussion, Investment Managers Des Armstrong and Alan Edington debate the ongoing concentration of US markets, Japan’s impressive start to the year as well as trips to Denmark and LA to meet with, amongst others, healthcare, entertainment and medtech businesses. AI was the recurring theme throughout the discussion albeit there are question marks around how and, crucially, when this technology reaches meaningful scale.

The podcast is intended for investment professionals only and should not be construed as investment advice or a recommendation. Any stock examples discussed are given in the context of the theme being explored, and the views expressed are those of the presenters at the time of the recording.

For investment professionals only

In our latest quarterly podcast, Walter Scott's Directors Charlie Macquaker and Roy Leckie discuss the remarkable performance of equity markets in 2023. They also reflect on some of the year’s research trips, including Charlie’s recent visit to Japan, and ask if the outperformance of the Magnificent Seven has been justified by fundamentals, and if it can continue.

The podcast is intended for investment professionals only and should not be construed as investment advice or a recommendation. Any stock examples discussed are given in the context of the theme being explored, and the views expressed are those of the presenters at the time of the recording.