Economic and market insight
Review of the week
Review of the week: The king of viruses?
An aggressive flu has disrupted the Chinese New Year and put the world on high alert. Chief investment officer Julian Chillingworth thinks it’s a bit early to panic, but that could soon be overtaken by a fast-moving virus.
6 mins
Review of the week: America first
China and the US have signed a one-sided trade deal that has got investors excited about the year ahead. Chief investment officer Julian Chillingworth notes recession concerns have been well and truly supplanted.
6 mins
Review of the week: Sky rockets in flight
Stock markets went bananas last year as China and the US appeared to finally agree on trade. But then the killing of a top Iranian general set off geopolitical fireworks. Chief investment officer Julian Chillingworth mulls the consequences.
7 mins
Review of the week : A Christmas Carol
Boris Johnson has won a strong mandate to get on with his Brexit deal, sending sterling shooting higher. But there’s something unusual going on with UK stocks, notes chief investment officer Julian Chillingworth.
5 mins
Crunch time (again)
We don’t know about you, but over the past year or so we got into the habit of buying our travel money extremely far in advance of holidays.
7 mins
Supermarket sweep
Braving the commute for the first time in almost 18 months, David Coombs, our head of multi-asset investments, makes his radio cross-over debut.
3 mins
The snowball effect
Fund manager David Harrison explains how the UN Sustainable Development Goals, which began life as an aspirational target for governments around the world, transitioned to an unofficial framework for ESG investing. But can they really make a difference?
4 mins
A changing tide
The looming Olympics must be on the mind of our head of multi-asset investments David Coombs, as he discusses the outlook for the UK.
3 mins
Welcome to the big leagues
Just a few short years ago, only those in the know were talking about sustainable investing. Today it seems to be everywhere. All that’s missing is a global standard for measuring a company’s ESG performance, says David Harrison, manager of the Rathbone Greenbank Global Sustainability Fund.
3 mins
No-frills financial services
Freshly double-jabbed, head of multi-asset investments David Coombs ventures out in search of rock loaf. He finds finance is changing quickly, which is important for how the industry makes its own bread.
4 mins
Quality over quantity
Sustainable investing may be known for its values and principles, but there are other advantages for investors. David Harrison explains how companies that embrace ESG are more likely to be more resilient over the long term.
3 mins
Yes, fund manager
Once the pandemic is in the rear view, the UK has the chance to remake itself, argues our Minister for Administrative Affairs, David Coombs. Or is he our head of multi-asset investments…
4 mins
The Biden effect
After four years of ambivalence towards the environment under Donald Trump, the Oval Office has a new occupant and a new agenda. David Harrison, manager of the Rathbone Global Sustainability Fund, says it will likely be all systems go under the new president.
3 mins
Step by step
Earnings season has mostly gone well and analysts have increased their forecasts for future profits. As long as the vaccine rollout continues and any new variants stay under control, we should be in for a rejuvenating summer, for businesses and for our wellbeing.
3 mins
ESG – bubble or eggsponential growth?
ESG investing has risen in popularity during the pandemic, driven by concern for the climate and society. With rising costs and uncertain returns on his ill-thought through chicken venture, Will McIntosh-Whyte is reminded you ignore the fundamentals at your peril.
4 mins
The tie that binds
Sustainable investing doesn’t have to mean sacrificing returns. But fund manager Will McIntosh-Whyte argues even the most noble companies need solid long-term fundamentals to be truly sustainable.
3 mins
Moving in the right direction?
Given how many people are driving electric cars and carrying re-usable coffee cups these days, it seems many consumers are aware of climate change risks. But what about social and governance risks?
4 mins