The Sharpe End

Commodities have fallen from their lofty 2022 heights, so are they starting to get interesting again? The team discuss the fortunes of everything from foodstuffs to metals through energy, given the ever-changing backdrop for commodities. Meanwhile, is AI the revolutionary force people are excited about, or another fad generating a bout of market hype? Will long-time holding Adobe, a digital marketing tool supplier known for the humble PDF, harness AI or get eaten by it?

This podcast was recorded on 8 June 2023.

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. Rathbone Unit Trust Management (Rathbone Funds) 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 Unit Trust Management Limited is a wholly-owned, London-based subsidiary of Rathbone Group plc.

This podcast is intended for professional investors, and must not be shared with a non-professional audience. 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 Unit Trust 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.

Is America approaching the finish line for interest rate hikes? The team discuss the latest from the other side of the pond, including all the fun of the debt ceiling political football. Meanwhile, are the fears and stresses in the commercial property market signs of an opportunity or a justified warning to stay well away? That leads the team to ponder US insulation and roofing business, Owens Corning, and the tailwinds that should support the company in coming years.

This podcast was recorded on 9 May 2023.

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. Rathbone Unit Trust Management (Rathbone Funds) 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 Unit Trust Management Limited is a wholly-owned, London-based subsidiary of Rathbone Group plc.

This podcast is intended for professional investors, and must not be shared with a non-professional audience. 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 Unit Trust 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.

Given all the recession chat, Rahab tries to bring some positivity to this episode and challenges Will and David to build a bull case for investing. Following the UK’s Green Day announcements, the team also discuss why it seems net-zero is falling down the priority list, what this means for electric vehicles and why they believe global auto technology company Aptiv could be the winner in this space.

This podcast was recorded on 13 April 2023.

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. Rathbone Unit Trust Management (Rathbone Funds) 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 Unit Trust Management Limited is a wholly-owned, London-based subsidiary of Rathbone Group plc.

This podcast is intended for professional investors, and must not be shared with a non-professional audience. 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 Unit Trust 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.

Trying to unpick the turmoil in the banking sector, the team discuss what happened in the last week or so and what it means for the future, and explain what action they’ve taken as a result. Their gaze then shifts to our fair shores as they ask whether, after a few years in the investment wilderness, the UK could be on the precipice of some structural changes that might support the economy and perhaps the equity market too.

This podcast was recorded on 16 March 2023.

Rathbones multi-asset investing team:

About Rathbones:

This podcast is intended for professional investors, and must not be shared with a non-professional audience. 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 Unit Trust 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.

Could David’s usual prediction of US stocks beating European ones come a cropper this year? The team also explain why US real estate investment trusts are a different ball game for them vs the UK market, and where there are some exciting opportunities. Finally, the team turn a loving, Valentine’s Day gaze towards European luxury goods giant LVMH and discuss just why the company’s resilient earnings are perhaps worth paying a pretty penny for.

This podcast was recorded on 9 February 2023.

Rathbones multi-asset investing team:

About Rathbones:

This podcast is intended for professional investors, and must not be shared with a non-professional audience. 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 Unit Trust 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.

The team kick off 2023 discussing the outlook for the year ahead: what stays the same, what changes, and why it’s important not to overreact simply because there’s a new calendar adorning our desks. They also discuss whether consumers trading down in household staples will mean less-resilient revenues, and why they think global skincare and cosmetics giant Estee Lauder presents a different story to its peers.

This podcast was recorded on 12 January 2023.

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. Rathbone Unit Trust Management (Rathbone Funds) 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 Unit Trust Management Limited is a wholly-owned, London-based subsidiary of Rathbone Group plc.

This podcast is intended for professional investors, and must not be shared with a non-professional audience. 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 Unit Trust Management Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. A member of the Investment Association. A member of the Rathbone Group. Registered office: 8 Finsbury Circus, London, EC2M 7AZ. Registered in England No. 02376568.

Join the whole Sharpe End team for the Christmas special edition where Craig, Rahab, and Will hold David to account for his predictions for 2022. Just how well did David call the fortunes of the UK economy? How accurate were his views on speculative technology and cryptocurrency? And, importantly, did he beat last year’s score of 4.5 points!?

This podcast was recorded on 7 December 2022.

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. Rathbone Unit Trust Management (Rathbone Funds) 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 Unit Trust Management Limited is a wholly-owned, London-based subsidiary of Rathbone Group plc.

This podcast is intended for professional investors, and must not be shared with a non-professional audience. 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 Unit Trust Management Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.  A member of the Investment Association. A member of the Rathbone Group. Registered office: 8 Finsbury Circus, London, EC2M 7AZ. Registered in England No. 02376568.

With all the shenanigans since our last episode, is the UK now a relative beacon of political stability? If so, does that move the dial for the prices of British assets? The team explain why capital discipline and the resiliency of ad revenue are the order of the day for them given recent weaker earnings from the US tech giants. Finally, do political shifts in China change the long-term picture for investing in the country?

This podcast was recorded on 9 November 2022.

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. Rathbone Unit Trust Management (Rathbone Funds) 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 Unit Trust Management Limited is a wholly-owned, London-based subsidiary of Rathbone Group plc.

This podcast is intended for professional investors, and must not be shared with a non-professional audience. 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 Unit Trust Management Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. A member of the Investment Association. A member of the Rathbone Group. Registered office: 8 Finsbury Circus, London, EC2M 7AZ. Registered in England No. 02376568.

The team ponder whether, after the not-so-mini reaction to the Chancellor’s ‘mini-budget’, it’s finally time to buy UK bonds again or whether US Treasuries still look a better place for capital, and explain how they are tackling currency exposure in the face of a continually volatile pound. Also, what does the return to a world of higher costs of capital and risk-free rates mean for markets, and how should it change how we invest?

This podcast was recorded on 6 October 2022.

Rathbone Funds 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. Rathbone Unit Trust Management (Rathbone Funds) 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 Unit Trust Management Limited is a wholly-owned, London-based subsidiary of Rathbone Group plc.

This podcast is intended for professional investors, and must not be shared with a non-professional audience. 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 Unit Trust Management Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. 

Have US Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s comments at Jackson Hole spooked the team as much as they spooked the market? This month, David, Will, and Craig also discuss how much attention to pay to the weakening US housing market, and finally touch on the video game industry and how it should remain an exciting place to invest for many years to come.

This podcast was recorded on 1 September 2022.

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. Rathbone Unit Trust Management (Rathbone Funds) 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 Unit Trust Management Limited is a wholly-owned, London-based subsidiary of Rathbone Group plc.

This podcast is intended for professional investors, and must not be shared with a non-professional audience. 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 Unit Trust Management Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. A member of the Investment Association. A member of the Rathbone Group. Registered office: 8 Finsbury Circus, London, EC2M 7AZ. Registered in England No. 02376568.