The Sharpe End

The Christmas jumpers and mince pies are out for the Multi-Asset Team as they enjoy that magical time of the year where they review Fund Manager David Coombs’ market predictions for 2025. How wrong was he this time? Or did he manage to turn it around for once? Did he divine the direction of UK growth and bond markets? What about the fortunes of US equities and presidential politics? All will be revealed.

This podcast was recorded on 3 December 2025.

If during this podcast the team reference any terms you're unfamiliar with, please see our glossary www.rathbonesam.com/glossary-of-terms-and-faqs which will provide an explanation.

Rathbones multi-asset investing team:

David Coombs, Head of Multi-Asset Investments

Will McIntosh-Whyte, Fund Manager, Rathbone Greenbank Multi-Asset Portfolio funds and Rathbone Multi-Asset Portfolio funds

Hannah Kennedy, Portfolio Management Assistant – Multi Asset

Rahab Paracha, Sustainable Multi-Asset Investment Specialist

Emma Letheren, Multi-Asset Equity Research Analyst

About Rathbones:

Rathbones, a FTSE 250 listed company, provides individual investment and wealth management services for private clients, charities, trustees and professional partners. Rathbone Asset Management is a UK fund manager, offering equity and bond unit trusts and a multi-asset fund range to meet your capital growth and income requirements. Rathbone Asset Management Limited is a wholly-owned, London-based subsidiary of Rathbones Group plc.

This podcast is intended for retail and professional investors. Any views and opinions are those of the investment manager, and coverage of any assets held must be taken in context of the constitution of the fund and in no way reflect an investment recommendation. Past performance should not be seen as an indication of future performance. The value of investments and the income from them may go down as well as up and you may not get back your original investment. This podcast has been produced for information purposes only and isn’t intended to constitute financial advice. Any views expressed during this recording belong to the individuals and are based on market conditions at the time of recording; Investments referred to may not be suitable for all recipients. Any mention of a specific security should not be interpreted as a solicitation to buy or sell a specific security. Rathbone Asset Management Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. A member of the Investment Association. A member of the Rathbones Group. Registered office: 30 Gresham Street, London, EC2V 7QN. Registered in England No. 02376568.

The team kicks things off this month with the UK Budget and what they would like to see emerge – but probably won’t get – from the Chancellor's briefcase. Next, it's on to the US, where fund manager Will McIntosh-Whyte has just returned from. The team hear about his week of on-the-ground research and meeting with companies on the east coast. Finally, they discuss a new holding: Booking Holdings, a global online travel agency.

This podcast was recorded on 19 November 2025.

If during this podcast the team reference any terms you're unfamiliar with, please see our glossary www.rathbonesam.com/glossary-of-terms-and-faqs which will provide an explanation

Rathbones multi-asset investing team:

David Coombs, Head of Multi-Asset Investments

Will McIntosh-Whyte, Fund Manager, Rathbone Greenbank Multi-Asset Portfolio funds and Rathbone Multi-Asset Portfolio funds

Hannah Kennedy, Portfolio Management Assistant – Multi Asset

Rahab Paracha, Sustainable Multi-Asset Investment Specialist

About Rathbones:

Rathbones, a FTSE 250 listed company, provides individual investment and wealth management services for private clients, charities, trustees and professional partners. Rathbone Asset Management is a UK fund manager, offering equity and bond unit trusts and a multi-asset fund range to meet your capital growth and income requirements. Rathbone Asset Management Limited is a wholly-owned, London-based subsidiary of Rathbones Group plc.

This podcast is intended for retail and professional investors. Any views and opinions are those of the investment manager, and coverage of any assets held must be taken in context of the constitution of the fund and in no way reflect an investment recommendation. Past performance should not be seen as an indication of future performance. The value of investments and the income from them may go down as well as up and you may not get back your original investment. This podcast has been produced for information purposes only and isn’t intended to constitute financial advice. Any views expressed during this recording belong to the individuals and are based on market conditions at the time of recording; Investments referred to may not be suitable for all recipients. Any mention of a specific security should not be interpreted as a solicitation to buy or sell a specific security. Rathbone Asset Management Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. A member of the Investment Association. A member of the Rathbones Group. Registered office: 30 Gresham Street, London, EC2V 7QN. Registered in England No. 02376568.

Are we in an AI bubble? That’s the question the team try to answer on this month’s episode. While there are definitely bubble-like signs popping up in the market, are there enough for the team to be worried? Next, some cracks are beginning to show in private credit. The team discuss recent bankruptcies that have hit the headlines, and whether these are isolated cases or indications of a wider risk to the global economy. Finally, the spotlight is on Lonza, a one-stop shop for drug development and manufacturing that the team has bought recently.

This podcast was recorded on 14 October 2025.

If during this podcast the team reference any terms you're unfamiliar with, please see our glossary www.rathbonesam.com/glossary-of-terms-and-faqs which will provide an explanation.

Rathbones multi-asset investing team:
David Coombs, Head of Multi-Asset Investments
Will McIntosh-Whyte, Fund Manager, Rathbone Greenbank Multi-Asset Portfolio funds and Rathbone Multi-Asset Portfolio funds
Hannah Kennedy, Portfolio Management Assistant – Multi Asset
Rahab Paracha, Sustainable Multi-Asset Investment Specialist
Emma Letheren, Multi-Asset Equity Research Analyst

About Rathbones:

Rathbones, a FTSE 250 listed company, provides individual investment and wealth management services for private clients, charities, trustees and professional partners. Rathbone Asset Management is a UK fund manager, offering equity and bond unit trusts and a multi-asset fund range to meet your capital growth and income requirements. Rathbone Asset Management Limited is a wholly-owned, London-based subsidiary of Rathbones Group plc.

This podcast is intended for retail and professional investors. Any views and opinions are those of the investment manager, and coverage of any assets held must be taken in context of the constitution of the fund and in no way reflect an investment recommendation. Past performance should not be seen as an indication of future performance. The value of investments and the income from them may go down as well as up and you may not get back your original investment. This podcast has been produced for information purposes only and isn’t intended to constitute financial advice. Any views expressed during this recording belong to the individuals and are based on market conditions at the time of recording; Investments referred to may not be suitable for all recipients. Any mention of a specific security should not be interpreted as a solicitation to buy or sell a specific security. Rathbone Asset Management Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. A member of the Investment Association. A member of the Rathbones Group. Registered office: 30 Gresham Street, London, EC2V 7QN. Registered in England No. 02376568.

Investor eyes and ears turned to the US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s Jackson Hole speech in August as he hinted that interest rate cuts could be coming in the US. How did our team respond to the rotation away from tech to cyclical stocks? Turning to energy, President Donald Trump’s been causing more havoc to wind energy developers by striking down projects under development, while on the other side of the pond Europe has its own struggles with getting renewable energy into the grid. The team shares their energy exposure across the core and sustainable portfolios, and what they’ve managed to avoid. Lastly, they brief us on Motorola Solutions, a US company focused on public safety and emergency response software and communications, a newer addition to our core funds.

This podcast was recorded on 3 September 2025.

If during this podcast the team reference any terms you're unfamiliar with, please see our glossary www.rathbonesam.com/glossary-of-terms-and-faqs which will provide an explanation

Rathbones multi-asset investing team:

David Coombs, Head of Multi-Asset Investments

Will McIntosh-Whyte, Fund Manager, Rathbone Greenbank Multi-Asset Portfolio funds and Rathbone Multi-Asset Portfolio funds

Hannah Kennedy, Portfolio Management Assistant – Multi Asset

Rahab Paracha, Sustainable Multi-Asset Investment Specialist

About Rathbones:

Rathbones, a FTSE 250 listed company, provides individual investment and wealth management services for private clients, charities, trustees and professional partners. Rathbone Asset Management is a UK fund manager, offering equity and bond unit trusts and a multi-asset fund range to meet your capital growth and income requirements. Rathbone Asset Management Limited is a wholly-owned, London-based subsidiary of Rathbones Group plc.

This podcast is intended for retail and professional investors. Any views and opinions are those of the investment manager, and coverage of any assets held must be taken in context of the constitution of the fund and in no way reflect an investment recommendation. Past performance should not be seen as an indication of future performance. The value of investments and the income from them may go down as well as up and you may not get back your original investment. This podcast has been produced for information purposes only and isn’t intended to constitute financial advice. Any views expressed during this recording belong to the individuals and are based on market conditions at the time of recording; Investments referred to may not be suitable for all recipients. Any mention of a specific security should not be interpreted as a solicitation to buy or sell a specific security. Rathbone Asset Management Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. A member of the Investment Association. A member of the Rathbones Group. Registered office: 30 Gresham Street, London, EC2V 7QN. Registered in England No. 02376568.

You may feel a sense of déjà vu this month, as the team once again talk tariffs after July’s trade deal deadline got pushed back and a raft of negotiations and agreements ensued. While markets now seem almost to ignore many of the tariff announcements, there’s some nervousness around the economic data coming out of the US — but how accurate is it really? With frequent revisions (like the recent nonfarm payrolls), is it a true reflection of what’s actually happening? Next on the agenda is commodities: there’s been a fair amount of volatility, so what’s driving it and are the team finding any new opportunities? Finally, they discuss Thermo Fisher, a key player in life sciences and a long-term holding in the funds.

This podcast was recorded on 6 August 2025.

If during this podcast the team reference any terms you're unfamiliar with, please see our glossary www.rathbonesam.com/glossary-of-terms-and-faqs which will provide an explanation

Rathbones multi-asset investing team:

David Coombs, Head of Multi-Asset Investments

Will McIntosh-Whyte, Fund Manager, Rathbone Greenbank Multi-Asset Portfolio funds and Rathbone Multi-Asset Portfolio funds

Hannah Kennedy, Portfolio Management Assistant – Multi Asset

Rahab Paracha, Sustainable Multi-Asset Investment Specialist

About Rathbones:

Rathbones, a FTSE 250 listed company, provides individual investment and wealth management services for private clients, charities, trustees and professional partners. Rathbone Asset Management is a UK fund manager, offering equity and bond unit trusts and a multi-asset fund range to meet your capital growth and income requirements. Rathbone Asset Management Limited is a wholly-owned, London-based subsidiary of Rathbones Group plc.

This podcast is intended for retail and professional investors. Any views and opinions are those of the investment manager, and coverage of any assets held must be taken in context of the constitution of the fund and in no way reflect an investment recommendation. Past performance should not be seen as an indication of future performance. The value of investments and the income from them may go down as well as up and you may not get back your original investment. This podcast has been produced for information purposes only and isn’t intended to constitute financial advice. Any views expressed during this recording belong to the individuals and are based on market conditions at the time of recording; Investments referred to may not be suitable for all recipients. Any mention of a specific security should not be interpreted as a solicitation to buy or sell a specific security. Rathbone Asset Management Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. A member of the Investment Association. A member of the Rathbones Group. Registered office: 30 Gresham Street, London, EC2V 7QN. Registered in England No. 02376568.

Geopolitics are top of the agenda in an extra special podcast that celebrates four years of talking common sense about investing (alright and a bit of questionable banter on the side). While markets hover around all-time highs, the world feels far from calm. Are investors too relaxed? How is our team reacting to current events? And what does NATO’s bold new target for military spending mean for defence companies? Then the team changes gears to discuss Ashtead, the world’s second-largest rental company for construction and industrial rental equipment. And as a birthday bonus, our multi-asset equity analyst Emma Letheren gives some interesting insights into her recent trip to Paris for a beauty parade … of a variety of companies and CEOs, of course – we didn’t let her anywhere near les grands magasins!

This podcast was recorded on 3 July 2025.

If during this podcast the team reference any terms you're unfamiliar with, please see our glossary www.rathbonesam.com/glossary-of-terms-and-faqs which will provide an explanation.

Rathbones multi-asset investing team:

David Coombs, Head of Multi-Asset Investments

Will McIntosh-Whyte, Fund Manager, Rathbone Greenbank Multi-Asset Portfolio funds and Rathbone Multi-Asset Portfolio funds

Hannah Kennedy, Portfolio Management Assistant – Multi Asset

Rahab Paracha, Sustainable Multi-Asset Investment Specialist

Emma Letheren, Multi-Asset Equity Research Analyst

About Rathbones:

Rathbones, a FTSE 250 listed company, provides individual investment and wealth management services for private clients, charities, trustees and professional partners. Rathbone Asset Management is a UK fund manager, offering equity and bond unit trusts and a multi-asset fund range to meet your capital growth and income requirements. Rathbone Asset Management Limited is a wholly-owned, London-based subsidiary of Rathbones Group plc.

This podcast is intended for retail and professional investors. Any views and opinions are those of the investment manager, and coverage of any assets held must be taken in context of the constitution of the fund and in no way reflect an investment recommendation. Past performance should not be seen as an indication of future performance. The value of investments and the income from them may go down as well as up and you may not get back your original investment. This podcast has been produced for information purposes only and isn’t intended to constitute financial advice. Any views expressed during this recording belong to the individuals and are based on market conditions at the time of recording; Investments referred to may not be suitable for all recipients. Any mention of a specific security should not be interpreted as a solicitation to buy or sell a specific security. Rathbone Asset Management Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. A member of the Investment Association. A member of the Rathbones Group. Registered office: 30 Gresham Street, London, EC2V 7QN. Registered in England No. 02376568.

This month the team talk all things big and beautiful – not a remake of the hymn – but President Trump’s new budget bill. Deemed by some as more generous to taxpayers great than small, Elon Musk thinks it’s by no means wise and wonderful. He called it an “outrageous, pork-filled … disgusting abomination”! So what does the bill actually contain, and what are its potential implications? Next, a few warning signals have been quietly popping up in markets. Are these anything to be concerned about? Finally, the team cover an under-the-radar stock that’s a core holding for the portfolios: Assa Abloy, the world’s largest lock and access control company at the forefront of the digitisation of buildings and smarter infrastructure.

This podcast was recorded on 4 June 2025.

If during this podcast the team reference any terms you're unfamiliar with, please see our glossary www.rathbonesam.com/glossary-of-terms-and-faqs which will provide an explanation.

Rathbones multi-asset investing team:

David Coombs, Head of Multi-Asset Investments

Will McIntosh-Whyte, Fund Manager, Rathbone Greenbank Multi-Asset Portfolio funds and Rathbone Multi-Asset Portfolio funds

Hannah Kennedy, Portfolio Management Assistant – Multi Asset

Rahab Paracha, Sustainable Multi-Asset Investment Specialist

About Rathbones:

Rathbones, a FTSE 250 listed company, provides individual investment and wealth management services for private clients, charities, trustees and professional partners. Rathbone Asset Management is a UK fund manager, offering equity and bond unit trusts and a multi-asset fund range to meet your capital growth and income requirements. Rathbone Asset Management Limited is a wholly-owned, London-based subsidiary of Rathbones Group plc.

This podcast is intended for retail and professional investors. Any views and opinions are those of the investment manager, and coverage of any assets held must be taken in context of the constitution of the fund and in no way reflect an investment recommendation. Past performance should not be seen as an indication of future performance. The value of investments and the income from them may go down as well as up and you may not get back your original investment. This podcast has been produced for information purposes only and isn’t intended to constitute financial advice. Any views expressed during this recording belong to the individuals and are based on market conditions at the time of recording; Investments referred to may not be suitable for all recipients. Any mention of a specific security should not be interpreted as a solicitation to buy or sell a specific security. Rathbone Asset Management Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. A member of the Investment Association. A member of the Rathbones Group. Registered office: 30 Gresham Street, London, EC2V 7QN. Registered in England No. 02376568.

As Oscar Wilde wrote, in matters of grave importance, style, not sincerity, is the vital thing. Yet President Trump’s style is leading some to question American exceptionalism, which has been a hot topic of conversation for the team for years now. The team discuss their thoughts on the longer-term impact of current events on markets and the global economy. And then guess who’s back, back again – no it’s not Eminem but earnings season! The team talk about how it’s gone so far and what’s surprised them in what’s always a busy time. Finally, Apple – which needs no introduction – has had products glued to the ears and hands of consumers the world over for some time now. Will the glue hold, the team asks, and what part should the company play in portfolios?

This podcast was recorded on 8 May 2025.

If during this podcast the team reference any terms you're unfamiliar with, please see our glossary www.rathbonesam.com/glossary-of-terms-and-faqs which will provide an explanation.

Rathbones multi-asset investing team:

David Coombs, Head of Multi-Asset Investments

Will McIntosh-Whyte, Fund Manager, Rathbone Greenbank Multi-Asset Portfolio funds and Rathbone Multi-Asset Portfolio funds

Craig Brown, Senior Multi-Asset Investment Specialist

Rahab Paracha, Sustainable Multi-Asset Investment Specialist

Hannah Kennedy, Portfolio Management Assistant – Multi Asset

About Rathbones:

Rathbones, a FTSE 250 listed company, provides individual investment and wealth management services for private clients, charities, trustees and professional partners. Rathbone Asset Management is a UK fund manager, offering equity and bond unit trusts and a multi-asset fund range to meet your capital growth and income requirements. Rathbone Asset Management Limited is a wholly-owned, London-based subsidiary of Rathbones Group plc.

This podcast is intended for retail and professional investors. Any views and opinions are those of the investment manager, and coverage of any assets held must be taken in context of the constitution of the fund and in no way reflect an investment recommendation. Past performance should not be seen as an indication of future performance. The value of investments and the income from them may go down as well as up and you may not get back your original investment. This podcast has been produced for information purposes only and isn’t intended to constitute financial advice. Any views expressed during this recording belong to the individuals and are based on market conditions at the time of recording; Investments referred to may not be suitable for all recipients. Any mention of a specific security should not be interpreted as a solicitation to buy or sell a specific security. Rathbone Asset Management Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. A member of the Investment Association. A member of the Rathbones Group. Registered office: 30 Gresham Street, London, EC2V 7QN. Registered in England No. 02376568.

President Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs, delivered on two giant placards in the Rose Garden, sent stock markets into freefall. The team explain how they are unpicking what might happen next and how markets may react to further news and retaliations. The focus then switches to reviewing how the UK’s recent Spring Statement’s announcements – or perhaps the lack thereof – have left the team feeling about UK PLC. Finally, UK listed food service business Compass is on the menu as the team outline what attracts them to the company.

This podcast was recorded on 3 April 2025.

If during this podcast the team reference any terms you're unfamiliar with, please see our glossary www.rathbonesam.com/glossary-of-terms-and-faqs which will provide an explanation.

Rathbones multi-asset investing team:

David Coombs, Head of Multi-Asset Investments

Will McIntosh-Whyte, Fund Manager, Rathbone Greenbank Multi-Asset Portfolio funds and Rathbone Multi-Asset Portfolio funds

Craig Brown, Senior Multi-Asset Investment Specialist

Rahab Paracha, Sustainable Multi-Asset Investment Specialist

Hannah Kennedy, Portfolio Management Assistant – Multi Asset

About Rathbones:

Rathbones, a FTSE 250 listed company, provides individual investment and wealth management services for private clients, charities, trustees and professional partners. Rathbone Asset Management is a UK fund manager, offering equity and bond unit trusts and a multi-asset fund range to meet your capital growth and income requirements. Rathbone Asset Management Limited is a wholly-owned, London-based subsidiary of Rathbones Group plc.

This podcast is intended for retail and professional investors. Any views and opinions are those of the investment manager, and coverage of any assets held must be taken in context of the constitution of the fund and in no way reflect an investment recommendation. Past performance should not be seen as an indication of future performance. The value of investments and the income from them may go down as well as up and you may not get back your original investment. This podcast has been produced for information purposes only and isn’t intended to constitute financial advice. Any views expressed during this recording belong to the individuals and are based on market conditions at the time of recording; Investments referred to may not be suitable for all recipients. Any mention of a specific security should not be interpreted as a solicitation to buy or sell a specific security. Rathbone Asset Management Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. A member of the Investment Association. A member of the Rathbones Group. Registered office: 30 Gresham Street, London, EC2V 7QN. Registered in England No. 02376568.

Europe has been the star of the show for the past couple of weeks. What’s driven this unusual outperformance? Will 2025 be the year of Europe’s comeback, or just another a short-lived bounce? The team then moves on to America: you can’t get away from President Donald Trump and his tariffs at the moment.

Despite having talked about it on last month’s episode, there’s a whole lot more to cover since then. Finally, the team discuss Unilever, a manufacturer of household staples which has been a long-term holding in our Greenbank multi-asset range, but a new addition to our core funds.

This podcast was recorded on 6 March 2025.

If during this podcast the team reference any terms you're unfamiliar with, please see our glossary ⁠www.rathbonesam.com/glossary-of-terms-and-faqs⁠ which will provide an explanation.

Rathbones multi-asset investing team:

David Coombs, Head of Multi-Asset Investments

Will McIntosh-Whyte, Fund Manager, Rathbone Greenbank Multi-Asset Portfolio funds and Rathbone Multi-Asset Portfolio funds

Craig Brown, Senior Multi-Asset Investment Specialist

Rahab Paracha, Sustainable Multi-Asset Investment Specialist

Hannah Kennedy, Portfolio Management Assistant – Multi Asset

About Rathbones:

Rathbones, a FTSE 250 listed company, provides individual investment and wealth management services for private clients, charities, trustees and professional partners. Rathbone Asset Management is a UK fund manager, offering equity and bond unit trusts and a multi-asset fund range to meet your capital growth and income requirements. Rathbone Asset Management Limited is a wholly-owned, London-based subsidiary of Rathbones Group plc.

This podcast is intended for retail and professional investors. Any views and opinions are those of the investment manager, and coverage of any assets held must be taken in context of the constitution of the fund and in no way reflect an investment recommendation. Past performance should not be seen as an indication of future performance. The value of investments and the income from them may go down as well as up and you may not get back your original investment. This podcast has been produced for information purposes only and isn’t intended to constitute financial advice. Any views expressed during this recording belong to the individuals and are based on market conditions at the time of recording; Investments referred to may not be suitable for all recipients. Any mention of a specific security should not be interpreted as a solicitation to buy or sell a specific security. Rathbone Asset Management Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. A member of the Investment Association. A member of the Rathbones Group. Registered office: 30 Gresham Street, London, EC2V 7QN. Registered in England No. 02376568.