The Sharpe End

The Donald is firing out of the blocks on trade tariffs with no hesitation. The team discusses what it means for financial markets and how they should position their funds for a world of potentially lesser trade. Not to be outdone, the AI sector had its own mini-revolution recently with the emergence of low-cost Chinese chatbot DeepSeek. Does this call into question the dominance of the AI market darlings? Finally, the team outlines the appeal of heavy equipment manufacturer, Caterpillar, which has been in the funds for a number of years.

This podcast was recorded on 12 February 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.

It’s been quite the new year hangover for the global bond market as yields have continued to race away at the start of the new year – the UK 10-year gilt is back to levels not seen since the 2000s. The team start the year by discussing this volatile start, what the drivers are, and how this is impacting our funds. Next up is the financials sector: always a tricky and complex topic, the team make it simple by breaking down how and why they build a diversified portfolio of financial stocks and bonds in the funds. Finally, they give you a rundown of US-based global investment company KKR, which is much more than just private equity, and why they see it as an attractive new holding for the funds.

This podcast was recorded on 9 January 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.

It’s that time of year again! Mariah Carey is blaring in the shops, the Elf on the Shelf is on the loose in homes across the country, and our head of multi-asset David Coombs is held accountable for his annual predictions. Will the team be naughty or nice when they mark David on his prognostications spanning UK and US politics, bond yields, central bankers, and passive investing? As ever, David will be pleading his case and aiming to beat last year’s score and – he hopes – perhaps post a new high score.

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.

A lot going on this month, so the team focus on two rather large events which took place within a week of each other. First up is the big show across the pond: with Trump now claiming his seat in the Oval Office the team give their immediate reaction to his victory and discuss what it could mean for markets and their funds. Then the team swing to look at the ramifications of the Labour government’s first Budget. How much of the doom and gloom sown before Budget Day was reaped, and how will it affect UK economic growth and UK markets?

This podcast was recorded on 6 November 2024.

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. Rathbones 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. Rathbones 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. Rathbones 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 gaze turns eastward this month as the team discuss China’s recent stimulus. Will it be enough to wrestle the economy out of its post-COVID funk? Then the conversation turns to making sense of western central bank interest rate cuts that coincide with conflicting economic data. Calling the direction of travel is challenging, so what does it mean for their portfolios? Finally, what has made UK-listed information and analytics business RELX a long-time holding in the funds?

This podcast was recorded on 10 October 2024.

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. Rathbones 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. Rathbones 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. Rathbones 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.

It’s just over a month since Keir Starmer took over at Number 10, and for those of you not glued to Ticketmaster scrambling for Oasis tickets you may have noticed that we’ve started to learn a little more about what “Starmerism” will look like. In light of this, the team discuss how the new Labour government’s agenda might impact UK equity and bond markets, along with sterling. At the risk of opening old wounds, the team looks back at some of the “ones that got away” as they ponder the potential teachable moments gained from missed opportunities. And next on the agenda is, well, Next, as the team outlines what makes this UK retail stalwart attractive for the funds.

This podcast was recorded on 3 September 2024.

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. Rathbones 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. Rathbones 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. Rathbones 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.

Trying to unpick some pretty extraordinary moves in global indices, the team discuss what’s been going on. Was it simply a short-term market overreaction, or something that we might be dealing with for a little while longer? They then move on to automotive parts – a blast from the past for manager David Coombs, but a new addition to the funds. They explain why they like the sector now, and what led them to add O’Reilly and LKQ to the funds. Finally, the team review American Tower, which has benefited from the growing expectation of imminent interest rate cuts in the US as well as the growing demand for wireless infrastructure.

This podcast was recorded on 8 August 2024.

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. Rathbones 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. Rathbones 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. Rathbones 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.

On the eve of the most telegraphed election result in UK history, the team turns instead to a murkier electoral outlook in Europe. How will a shifting European political landscape – especially in France – impact the region’s economy? And what would the knock-on effects influence the European Central Bank from here? They then discuss the consumer as questions abound on the true condition of household spending, given some weaker reports from some company management, particularly in the US. Is this just some belt tightening or something more worrisome? Finally, in a world of swift tech and AI development, demand for business consultancy firm Accenture has increased, helping businesses deliver some of the benefits presented by the whirlwind of technological advances. The team explain what makes them long-time holders.

This podcast was recorded on 4 July 2024.

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

About Rathbones:

Rathbones, a FTSE 250 listed company, provides individual investment and wealth management services for private clients, charities, trustees and professional partners. Rathbones 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. Rathbones 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. Rathbones 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.

Inflation is on our agenda but not quite in the way you might expect. We discuss the outlook for inflation in the longer term and consider how some big structural changes could shift perceptions on what’s a ‘normal’ rate of inflation. Attention then turns to the tech sector and software in particular. Despite all the plaudits for the tech darlings, could we be seeing the first signs of a software slowdown? Finally, all creatures great and small are on the team’s collective minds as they discuss animal health business Idexx Laboratories and the way its products and services are vital in helping all our furry friends.

This podcast was recorded on 6 June 2024.

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

About Rathbones:

Rathbones, a FTSE 250 listed company, provides individual investment and wealth management services for private clients, charities, trustees and professional partners. Rathbones 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. Rathbones 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. Rathbones 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: 8 Finsbury Circus, London, EC2M 7AZ. Registered in England No. 02376568.

In an election extravaganza of a year the team discuss how they will navigate the many political changes which may be ahead, particularly in the UK where a change in the occupancy of Number 10 seems highly likely. Diversification is the goal of any multi-asset manager, but just how do you achieve it and how has a world of higher interest rates changed that? The team outline the latest on this all-important topic. Finally, could the road ahead be brightening for UK medical equipment company and long-time portfolio holding Smith & Nephew?

This podcast was recorded on 9 May 2024.

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

About Rathbones:
Rathbones, a FTSE 250 listed company, provides individual investment and wealth management services for private clients, charities, trustees and professional partners. Rathbones 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. Rathbones 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. Rathbones 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: 8 Finsbury Circus, London, EC2M 7AZ. Registered in England No. 02376568.