The journey from denial to crisis

More than 40 years since a senior NASA scientist told US Congress of concerns about human activities disrupting the climate, experts are warning of an impending climate catastrophe and the financial sector is wrestling with the implications.

Read now

Recent thinking

Equities

Re-enter the dragon: What China’s recovery from COVID-19 means for emerging markets

7 Apr. 2020

We explore the impact of COVID-19 on China and emerging market debt and equities.

Covid-19

COVID-19: This time is different?

3 Apr. 2020

Previous financial crises offer lessons for investors trying to make sense of COVID-19, explains Euan Munro.

Multi-asset & multi-strategy

COVID-19 and a brief history of emerging market debt drawdowns

2 Apr. 2020

COVID-19 is testing investors’ patience. A brief history of EMD drawdowns suggests why they should do nothing.

Covid-19

COVID-19: When it comes to pandemics, investors should listen to the real experts

1 Apr. 2020

Investors should scour the medical literature for insight into COVID-19’s progression before making big investment calls.

Covid-19

Multi-asset allocation views: Embedding diversification in portfolios

31 Mar. 2020

The market response to COVID-19 has been brutal. Sunil Krishnan reflects on portfolio diversification in this context.

Covid-19

The impact of COVID-19 on private debt

30 Mar. 2020

Anxiety in public markets over the coronavirus will also test the resilience of private debt.

Covid-19

COVID-19: The impact on European real estate

30 Mar. 2020

As COVID-19 and government response evolve, Chris Urwin analyses how it could affect European real estate.

Covid-19

Black swan or grey rhino: Should investors have seen COVID-19 coming?

27 Mar. 2020

We explore whether investors could have anticipated COVID-19 and how they can ensure their portfolios are resilient.

Covid-19

Treasuries: Defence in troubled times

26 Mar. 2020

Why have investors been abandoning safe-haven assets in the midst of the steepest market falls in 40 years?

Covid-19

The impact of COVID-19 on UK infrastructure

26 Mar. 2020

COVID-19 is having a marked effect on asset prices and transaction activity in all areas of financial markets.

Covid-19

The implications of COVID-19 for real assets

19 Mar. 2020

The human cost of COVID-19 is likely to rise significantly, along with its impact on economies and financial markets as nations enact measures to contain its spread. We summarise recent developments and what they might mean for European real assets markets.

Insurance

RPI may be flawed, but changes shouldn’t cost pensioners and investors

16 Mar. 2020

With the start of the consultation for proposed changes to the measurement of inflation in the UK, we look at the likely impact to asset classes, the assets most affected, and the key issues investors should be aware of.

Responsible Investing

The AIQ Podcast: The psychology of climate change

4 Mar. 2020

The latest episode of The AIQ Podcast explores the psychology of climate change and how to engage individuals in the quest for solutions.

Responsible Investing

Climate change: The journey from denial to crisis

28 Feb. 2020

Responsible Investing

Why asset managers cannot be passive on climate change

28 Feb. 2020

As active investors step up their engagement efforts on the climate crisis, discussions need to be at the CEO rather than board level, argues David Cumming.

Responsible Investing

Apathy, anger, action: The psychology of climate change

28 Feb. 2020

Psychological barriers can prevent people from acting to avert the climate threat, even when they recognise the problem. So how can we best engage individuals, companies and communities in the quest for solutions?

The Little Book of Data

Visual vignettes to help us better understand the world and provoke thought, sign up to receive our hard copy coffee table book of data visualisations, The Little Book of Data.

Find out more

AIQ Features

The AIQ Podcast: Link - The power of connected thinking

5 Dec. 2019

The latest episode of The AIQ Podcast explores the role of connected thinking in technology, business and the environment.

A question of trust: What’s behind blockchain technology

15 Nov. 2019

A lot has been said about how blockchain may spark a technological revolution across every corner of the economy – not only in finance, but also areas such as medicine, marketing and supply chain management. What is less clear is how it could pose a hefty social challenge as well.

Supply chain wars

14 Nov. 2019

With the US and China locking horns, we take a deeper look at the tangled and complex web of multinational relationships in the global economic ecosystem.

The AIQ Podcast: Future of retirement

12 Nov. 2019

The idea that in one’s sixties it might be time to step out of work and retire into a life of leisure is relatively recent. But with more people living longer, expectations of retirement are being reshaped.

5G: Anatomy of an equity investment idea

11 Nov. 2019

The evolution of wireless technology has fuelled a host of new mobile applications and helped propel companies such as Netflix. 5G, its next iteration, promises speeds up to 20 times faster than the current 4G. But to think only in terms of speed severely underestimates 5G’s potential to fundamentally transform the business landscape – though not without tremendous risk.

In-search-of-a-free-lunch

5 Nov. 2019

Correlations between groups of assets and within individual asset classes have changed in unexpected ways thanks to a decade of easy monetary policy. Our portfolio managers tell us what impact this has had on the way they manage money.

The technology trap an interview with Carl Benedikt Frey

4 Nov. 2019

AIQ speaks to Oxford economist Carl Benedikt Frey about his pioneering research into labour markets and automation.

Rage against the machine

1 Nov. 2019

A new wave of tech-driven automation promises improved productivity and economic growth. But as humans are replaced by robots, a political backlash is building.

Connections and communities

28 Oct. 2019

Today, a handful of urban centres are pulling away from their rivals – creating more innovation, more growth and more jobs. Those changes have deep implications; understanding them and what they mean for local communities takes joined-up thinking.

The moral philosophers curse

25 Oct. 2019

Marte Borhaug explores the ethical dilemmas and unintended consequences that can result from trying to do the right thing.

Analogies and models two approaches to thinking connectedly

24 Oct. 2019

In an effort to understand how best to approach idea generation and collaboration, two critical components of successful investing, AIQ speaks to leading academics in the fields of analogical and model thinking.

Finding Range: An interview with David Epstein

23 Oct. 2019

AIQ speaks to author David Epstein about his new book, Range, which explores how generalists succeed in a specialised world.

Link: Embracing the power of connected thinking

22 Oct. 2019

In an increasingly complex world, understanding the connections between people and ideas is crucial. AIQ looks at how organisations can put connected thinking into practice.

Private wants, public needs

4 Sep. 2019

With society facing many urgent and complex challenges, deciding who is best-placed to deliver solutions has become an emotive and often political subject. We assess whether there is a better way to utilise the skills and resources of the public, private and third sectors for the greater good.

Us vs them: Ian Bremmer on politics, trade and technology

8 Jul. 2019

We speak to the political scientist about the long-term themes affecting emerging markets, from the trade war to technological automation to climate change.

ESG: A keystone for stronger emerging markets

8 Jul. 2019

Economic development is at a crossroads for emerging markets, and the road ahead will need to be paved with environmental, social and governance considerations.

View all AIQ Investment Thinking