Take it “ease”-y
Tim Antonelli, Head of Multi-Asset Strategy – Insurance and Portfolio Manager, explains why he thinks insurers should consider locking in current yields and sticking with global equity exposure.
US election special: which investment themes win at the polls?
The upcoming US election could be one of the most momentous in recent history. How could the result affect different investment themes? Our thematic team investigate the potential implications for investors.
Sahm rules are meant to be broken
Fed easing is finally here and fundamentals remain favorable. But what about that election? Members of our Investment Strategy & Solutions Group offer their outlook, including their latest views on equities, bonds, and commodities.
Chart in Focus: What does the rate cut mean for equities and bonds?
Are rate cuts positive? On the heels of the much-anticipated initial Fed cut, in this article we look to historic precedent for where the markets could go in the coming months.
The US elections through the eyes of a European investor
Supriya Menon, Head of Multi-Asset Strategy – EMEA, explores what potentially material implications upcoming US elections could have for European investors and identifies key areas to monitor closely.
Four investment perspectives amid a pivotal US election
How can investors reposition portfolios for a pivotal but highly unpredictable US elections? Nick Samouilhan explores potential avenues in conversation with three leading portfolio managers.
Massive market sell-off: Justified or an overreaction?
What's behind the global market meltdown, and what should investors consider doing? Global Investment and Multi-Asset Strategist Nanette Abuhoff Jacobson shares her views.
Does the US election even matter? Thoughts on politics, Fed policy, and portfolios
What's next for interest rates and what impact will the US election have? Head of Multi-Asset Strategy Adam Berger and Macro Strategist Mike Medeiros share their outlook and discuss the asset allocation implications.
The AI effect: Time to rethink your technology exposure?
Will AI fulfill the market's high expectations? Will it continue to drive market concentration? Head of Multi-Asset Strategy Adam Berger and Global Industry Analyst Brian Barbetta, co-head of our Technology team, discuss the outlook and the asset allocation implications.
Come on in, the water’s fine! Ready for a surplus summer
Tim Antonelli, Head of Multi-Asset Strategy – Insurance and Portfolio Manager, explains why he continues to see reserve fixed income as the sweet spot for insurers and why there may be upside for equities.
Thematic investing focus: how exactly will AI transform the world?
We are on the brink of a technological revolution that has major implications for all sectors, companies, labour, and regulators. How can a thematic lens help investors separate hype from reality?
Breaking concentration: big picture thinking with small-cap equities
How to overcome the risks associated with today's concentrated market? Investment Director John Mullins explores why small-cap equities could be part of the answer.
All-time highs and CPIs: What comes next?
Global fundamentals have kept markets content so far this year, but will politics sour the mood? Members of our Investment Strategy & Solutions Group offer their views on the second half of 2024, including on equities, bonds, and commodities.
Multi-Asset Investment Outlook
To help think through the asset allocation outlook and implications for this year, we offer views from iStrat, our investment strategy and solutions group.
Divergence isn’t just about central bank policy
Divergence has implications for investors —and central bank divergence is only one of five ways to think about it.
Investing in “3D”: Forces shaping alternatives opportunities in 2024
Multi-Asset Strategists Adam Berger and Nick Samouilhan offer six ideas from the hedge fund and liquid alternatives investment space, from global macro to multi-strategy approaches.
When the Fed sneezes, the ECB… cuts rates regardless?
Since the late 1990s, when the US cycle turned, the rest of the world generally followed, with a lag. However, the new economic era is likely to result in greater cyclical divergence between countries and the need for different central bank responses. How should investors think about the age of economic divergence?
Factors to consider when allocating to US small-cap stocks
From avoiding "junk" to holding on to "graduates," members of our Fundamental Factor Team share their research insights on the pursuit of alpha in the small-cap space.
New era demands a nimble approach to credit
Our expert explains why deep research and an active approach are effective ways for fixed income investors to uncover credit opportunities in today's market.
With the Fed on hold, is the case for bonds kaput?
Amid worries about sticky inflation, the market has scaled back its expectations for interest rate cuts this year. But even if rate cuts are on hold a while longer, members of our Multi-Asset Team still think investors should consider a move from cash to bonds.
What could change the trajectory of value stocks?
Head of Multi-Asset Strategy Adam Berger and Equity Portfolio Manager Nataliya Kofman discuss “resilient” value stocks, disruptive themes, and attractive sector- and country-level opportunities.
Small-cap stocks: Watching for mean reversion, technology diffusion, and the next inflection point
Our experts discuss factors that could help small-cap stocks rebound and the search for winners in this inefficient segment of the market.
Exploring active opportunities amid continued regime change
Head of Multi-Asset Strategy, APAC, Nick Samouilhan outlines why today's environment of dispersion, divergence and disruption offers potentially compelling opportunities for active investors.
Can hedge funds play the role?
How should investors select the most suitable types of hedge funds for specific roles? Members of our Investment Strategy & Solutions Group offer a simple and intuitive framework that can help.
Three ways social considerations can enhance portfolios
Four leading Wellington equity and fixed income experts explore three ways social considerations can enhance portfolios.
4 equity themes: Budding opportunities in small caps and more
Our expert highlights 4 areas where he sees opportunity in global equity markets.
Picking the right building blocks for a climate-aware portfolio
For asset owners integrating climate change into their multi-asset portfolios, members of our Investment Strategy & Solutions Group offer five important insights.
Thematic investing focus: evolving the current generation of energy
The energy transition is taking place amid a greater focus on energy security and affordability. What could this mean for the role of traditional energy companies, ask Keith White Daouii Abouchere and Megan Galligan.
Thematic investing focus: advancing the next generation of energy
The decarbonisation process represents the biggest capital cycle in our lifetime. As we develop the next generation of energy, Keith White, Daouii Abouchere and Megan Galligan examine how thematic investors can make the most of this structural opportunity.
Do fundamentals support a risk-on tilt?
Surprisingly strong economic growth, declining inflation, easy financial conditions — can it get any better for markets? Members of our Investment Strategy & Solutions Group offer their outlook, including their latest views on equities, bonds, and commodities.
A blueprint for building climate-aware multi-asset portfolios
Members of our Investment Strategy & Solutions Group take a deep dive on the issues asset owners should consider when choosing climate-aware portfolio building blocks, from the evolving opportunity set to the active/passive decision.
No bulls in the China shop?
John Mullins, Irmak Surenkok and Steven Ye assess the investment debate surrounding China's prolonged underperformance and outline three investment ideas for active investors to consider.
How to nurture a growth mindset in a higher-yielding landscape
In a higher-yield world, can fixed income deliver meaningful growth? John Mullins, Supriya Menon and Alex King explore how high-yield bonds may offer a powerful opportunity for growth - as well as a cushion against uncertainty.
Income: the hard worker in your portfolio deserves more credit
Income from cash is good but income from bonds is better. In a less certain macro environment, Alex King, Supriya Menon and John Mullins think the case for income only gets stronger. How can investors make the most of opportunities?
Adopt a new vantage point for diversifying your portfolio
Supriya Menon, Alex King and John Mullins explore why a diversified mixed of fixed income exposure is a key component of a nuanced approach to diversification in today's cyclical macro regime.
Facing the inflation dilemma head on
Inflation has already fallen much quicker than most expected. However, there are convincing reasons why inflation might be higher and more volatile going forward. What are the implications for asset allocation?
Thematic investing focus: security in a world of great-power competition
In an environment of accelerating great-power competition and geopolitical instability, policymakers may place a higher emphasis on security – even at the expense of economic efficiency. What could this mean for thematic investors?
Top of Mind: The allocator’s checklist for 2024 and beyond
Head of Multi-Asset Strategy Adam Berger offers near- and longer-term ideas for allocators, including thoughts on areas where capital is scarce, alternatives may be attractive, and risks may bear watching.
Multi-Asset Market Outlook
To help think through the asset allocation outlook and implications for 2023, we offer views from iStrat, our investment strategy and solutions group
Navigating a volatile reality: three ideas for 2024 and beyond
2023 saw investors grapple with a new, more volatile reality. How should portfolios be positioned for opportunities and challenges in 2024?
Fork in the road: Slowdown or reacceleration ahead?
Markets seem to expect a much smoother ride in 2024, but are they too optimistic? Members of our Investment Strategy & Solutions Group offer their macro and market outlook, including their latest views on equities, bonds, and commodities.
Why income-seeking investors need to look across asset classes
Income plays an even more crucial role in portfolios than many of us realise, contributing a significant portion of returns for multi-asset portfolios. But with cash rates at around 5%, the world of income has changed. This should prompt investors to take a fresh look across asset classes to see where opportunities lie.
What route is right in emerging markets investing?
How can investors find the most compelling opportunities within emerging market equities? Simon Henry and Dáire Dunne explain why they think targeting the economic development opportunity may provide a roadmap for success.
Learning to love (or live with) a late-cycle environment
Are we actually in a late-cycle environment and, if so, how should allocators respond? Head of Multi-Asset Strategy Adam Berger offers guidance, including on portfolio positioning, big cycle bets, and security selection.
Rebalancing a multi-asset portfolio: A guide to the choices and trade-offs
Many investors wrestle with portfolio rebalancing decisions, particularly in volatile environments. In this paper, members of our Investment Strategy Team argue for a well-structured rebalancing policy and share research on different approaches and common implementation considerations.
2024 Insurance Outlook: Position portfolios for the unexpected
Tim Antonelli offers two critical ideas for insurers' 2024 investment planning: doubling down on diversification and rethinking risk, including geopolitical and default risk.
Embracing uncertainty: Three alternatives ideas for a macro-driven world
Even as investors wrestle with the economic unknowns heading into 2024, Multi-Asset Strategists Nick Samouilhan and Adam Berger see opportunities to put alternative investments to work.
Beyond China: what does the rest of the EM equity world have to offer?
For investors contemplating a separate allocation to EM ex-China equities, members of our iStrat Team share their research on the composition of the opportunity set, the growing divergence in the behavior of EM ex-China equities and Chinese equities, and the long-term market outlook.
You snooze, you may lose: The case for bonds
There are signs the Federal Reserve's rate-hiking cycle may be nearing an end, but some uncertainty remains. With that in mind, Multi-Asset Strategist Nanette Abuhoff Jacobson considers the timing of a move from cash to bonds.
Deglobalisation and divergence: opportunity or threat?
John Butler and Supriya Menon discuss the drivers underpinning growing macroeconomic divergence and deglobalisation and what it may mean for asset allocators.
Thematic investing focus: a new era for medical innovation
Advances in science, tools and technologies are transforming the face of healthcare, revolutionising the diagnosis and treatment of complex diseases. How can thematic investors identify promising opportunities?
Is bad news for the economy actually good news for markets?
While it has taken longer than expected, higher interest rates are starting to take their toll on the global economy and the "bad news is good news" market narrative could be changing. Members of our Investment Strategy team offer their macro and market outlook, including their latest views on equities, bonds, and commodities.
Income investing in multi-asset portfolios: Tipping the balance in your favour
Income can play a crucial role in the pursuit of investment objectives over time, but research from our iStrat Team argues for a balanced approach to asset allocation decisions given the potential trade-offs between income and capital return, risk, and portfolio diversification.
Role, risk, and residual alpha: A framework for manager research
With many asset owners revisiting their strategic asset allocation and considering changes in their investment line-up, Director of Manager Research Kat Price and Head of Multi-Asset Strategy Adam Berger offer their views on manager selection best practices.
Why cash won’t cut it for long: The case for bonds
Global Investment and Multi-Asset Strategist Nanette Abuhoff Jacobson and Investment Strategy Analyst Patrick Wattiau explore the relative potential benefits of bonds versus cash.
A test for the global economy
What are the similarities and differences between the US regional banking crisis and 2008's global financial crisis? How likely is a recession? Should investors be focusing on value or growth? In this podcast, Macro Strategist Nanette Abuhoff Jacobson shares her interpretation of where the economy is headed, outlining where the risks and opportunities may lie for investors in the next 12 months.
How a thematic approach can help harness change within portfolios
Multi-Asset Strategist Supriya Menon and Investment Director Andrew Sharp-Paul discuss why a thematic approach can help harness change within portfolios against a structurally different macroeconomic backdrop.
How to weather the storm: A roadmap for more resilient portfolios
As we face a new era of elevated market and cycle volatility, Co-Head of Investment Strategy Natasha Brook-Walters assesses how asset owners can ensure that their portfolios are up for the challenge.
Multi-Asset Outlook: A recession is looming…or is it?
The economy has largely shrugged off the banking crisis and other concerns this year, while riding positive sentiment driven by AI enthusiasm and a possible soft landing. Members of our Investment Strategy team offer their macro and market outlook for the second half of the year, including their latest views on equities, bonds, and commodities.
Thematic investing focus: Cloud-backed AI and enterprise intelligence
Cloud-based computing and artificial intelligence are transforming the way enterprises operate, creating what we believe will be a secular tailwind for companies providing software, machine learning tools, and cybersecurity.
Is your asset allocation ready for the realities of climate change?
Our Investment Strategy Team shares key findings from the research behind their climate-aware strategic asset allocation (SAA) approach, including challenges and trade-offs that asset owners should understand.
Focus on what you can control: Five alternative investment ideas for an uncertain world
Multi-Asset Strategists Nick Samouilhan and Adam Berger explain how a variety of alternative investments, including select hedge funds and private credit, could help allocators reduce the importance of the economic cycle to their portfolio results.
Time for a new playbook on bonds
Is it time to add to fixed income allocations? Multi-Asset Strategist Adam Berger and Fixed Income Strategist Amar Reganti offer their views, as well as thoughts on specific areas of opportunity.
Is the structural case for inflation still intact?
Even if inflation cools in the coming months, members of our Investment Strategy team expect it to be "stickier" over the long term. Find out how that might impact asset allocation decisions.
EM equities: Can they prove the doubters wrong?
Multi-Asset Strategist Adam Berger offers six reasons that EM equity performance could be much more compelling in the decade ahead, from attractive valuations to economic tailwinds to mean reversion in the US dollar.
The alpha equation: Balancing active risk sources in multi-asset portfolios
Members of our iStrat Team share their research on the process of deciding how much active risk to take at the asset class and security levels in pursuit of alpha objectives. They also offer a step-by-step framework for implementing the research findings.
Today’s sweet spot for yield, the growing role of alts
Insurance Multi-Asset Strategist Tim Antonelli provides his latest multi-asset views for insurers, with an emphasis on the value of core fixed income in today's environment.
Win by losing? The surprising truth about long-term active management
Research shows that even the best managers have had to bounce back from periods of underperformance. For asset owners who've invested time and effort to find these managers, the data argues for cultivating a long-term mindset.
Designing a climate-aware strategic asset allocation
Members of our Investment Strategy Team explain how they incorporate climate metrics into their asset allocation optimization process. They also discuss implementation — the choice of specific climate-aware building blocks and strategies to express the desired asset allocation.
Lessons from 2008: Stress testing portfolios in today’s market
While very different from 2008, the current market environment makes a strong case for portfolio stress testing. Gregg Thomas, Co-Head of Investment Strategy, offers suggestions for improving the process, including assessing factor positioning and reducing recency bias.
How will asset prices be affected by climate risk? Members of our Investment Strategy team explain how they're seeking to answer that question with their new climate-aware capital market assumptions.
The allocator’s perspective: three key decisions on EM equities
How can investors best access opportunities within an improving outlook for emerging market equities? Natasha Brook-Walters, co-head of iStrat, shares three key decision points for allocators.
Using market-implied regimes to help build more resilient portfolios
Markets may fluctuate between different regimes, but how exactly should those regimes be defined? Our iStrat Team offers research on their market behavior-based approach and explains how it may aid in constructing portfolios that are better able to withstand the ups and downs of different environments.
SVB collapse: What are the implications?
Multi-Asset Strategist Supriya Menon shares her latest perspectives on the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank Financial Group (SVB) and the unfolding implications for investors. (Published 14 March 2023)
On to the next crisis: Glimpsing a post-SVB world
Amid the turmoil in the US banking sector, Global Investment Strategist Nanette Abuhoff Jacobson suggests investors consider pivoting to a “risk-management mode” that favors higher-quality assets. (Published 14 March 2023)
Thematic investing focus: The education imperative
Education is poised for transformation — and set to see a decade of spending and growth we believe will be unmatched by any since the post-World War II boom.
More currency volatility ahead: Which hedges could help?
To help investors begin to think about elevated currency risk, as well as opportunities to generate alpha through active currency management, members of our iStrat Team offer an overview of hedging approaches and their potential tradeoffs.
The churning tides of portfolio liquidity: How to avoid being left high and dry
Markets have sent asset owners some strong reminders of the need to think about liquidity risk across a portfolio and to plan for uncertainty. To help, Multi-Asset Strategist Adam Berger proposes a framework based on the intended uses and sources of liquidity.
The denominator effect: Thoughts on the rise in private equity allocations
The sharp drop in public markets has left many asset owners with above-target exposure to private assets, raising a number of governance questions. Multi-Asset Strategist Adam Berger considers the likely responses and their potential pros and cons.
Why investing in themes for EM equities may reap rewards
Portfolio Manager Dáire Dunne outlines why he is increasingly optimistic about the potential opportunities within select EM equity themes this year.
An allocator’s playbook for 2023
Natasha Brook-Walters, co-head of iStrat, examines the three objectives allocators may wish to focus on in 2023.
Multi-Asset Outlook — A rocky road to recovery in 2023
Markets may be jumping the gun when it comes to expectations for a policy pivot and the likely risk-asset rewards. Members of our Investment Strategy team still see bumps in the economic road, though their outlook has brightened a bit when it comes to China and other emerging markets.
Adding thematic equity investments to a multi-asset portfolio: An allocator’s handbook
Thematic investing may add a powerful return engine to portfolios, but allocators sometimes struggle with implementation decisions. Members of our Investment Strategy Team offer a framework for thinking about allocation size, strategy selection, and performance evaluation.
Thematic investing focus: The future of food
The global food system has reached a tipping point and change is coming, creating investment opportunities aided by demographic, policy, and innovation tailwinds.
2023 Insurance Outlook: Resolve to solve with a restocked toolkit
Multi-Asset Strategist Tim Antonelli and Insurance Strategist Max Davies share four actionable ideas designed to help insurers successfully navigate 2023.
Pivoting from innovation and growth to stability and value
In a more volatile world, stability may take priority over innovation, and that, explains Multi-Asset Strategist Adam Berger, would tend to favor value stocks over growth stocks.
In a new era for interest rates, can hedge funds fill the role of fixed income?
Hedge funds could be valuable building blocks for a fixed income substitute portfolio, but how should the portfolio be constructed? Members of our Fundamental Factor Team share their views.
Opportunity in disguise: Why bad news may be good for alternatives in 2023
Multi-Asset Strategists Nick Samouilhan and Adam Berger explain how alternative investments may help allocators make tailwinds out of macro and market headwinds in the year ahead.
Thematic investing focus: The transportation revolution has arrived
New technology and environmental concerns are creating a disruptive force in the transportation sector, leading to supply-chain investments and a host of new addressable markets.
Multi-Asset Outlook — Higher rates for longer: What does it mean for markets?
For central banks, the inflation fight is on, but the policy and market responses will vary in the coming months. Nanette Abuhoff Jacobson and Supriya Menon discuss the implications for equities, bonds, and commodities.
Pivot points: Five portfolio positioning ideas for the new market regime
Multi-Asset Strategist Adam Berger looks at five ways in which the world may be very different in the coming decade and how they could influence the next wave of investment winners.
Wellington investor survey: inflationary Europe seen as top “problem child” of 2023
In the latest Wellington investor survey, inflationary Europe was seen as the top "problem child" of 2023.
The allocator’s landscape: Three areas of attention for 2023
Natasha Brook-Walters, Co-Head of Investment Strategy, discusses downside mitigation given the shifting equity/bond correlation, the impact of cyclical and macro volatility, and opportunities to position for long-term change.
Thematic investing: Long-term thinking for a short-term world
With economic conditions expected to remain volatile in the coming year, members of our Investment Strategy team suggest that thematic allocations may help reduce the importance of the cycle to portfolio returns.
Equity allocation ideas after a year of factor extremes
Members of our Fundamental Factor Team discuss the role of defensive allocations as a complement to growth and value, the improved stock-picking environment, and the need for macro stress tests, among other topics.
Diversifying styles to survive today’s bond market
In a challenging year for fixed income markets, members of our Fundamental Factor team highlight a bright spot: the momentum factor in global government bond and corporate credit markets.
Inflation, rates, and volatility: The best defense is a good offense
Insurance Strategist Tim Antonelli shares his latest multi-asset views for insurers, including the need to balance defensive portfolio strategies with continued income and return generation.
Investors seeking a sound decumulation strategy must consider a host of variables, including risks that weren't on the radar when they were accumulating assets.
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Equity Market Outlook
In our Equity Market Outlook, we offer a range of fundamental, factor, and sector insights.
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