About AIQ
Since its launch in 2016, AIQ has covered the big themes influencing financial markets and the global economy. We aim to give our clients in-depth analysis of the issues that affect their investments, from demographics to big data, from climate change to China’s growth. We also offer insights on more specialised topics, such as portfolio construction and cashflow-driven investing.
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Recent thinking

Responsible Investing
Joana Setzer Q&A: On the climate litigation front line
9 Apr 2021
Joana Setzer from the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change at LSE discusses the implications on governments and companies of the growing wave of climate litigation.
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Responsible Investing
Law and climate disorder: Understanding physical, transition and litigation risk
9 Apr 2021
Major listed companies are finding themselves the target of legal action designed to make them move faster towards a lower carbon world. These cases could mark an inflection point; when the conversation turns toward specific responsibilities to move away from fossil fuels rather than broad commitments to change.
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Responsible Investing
Living in the past: Why are controversy scores so controversial?
8 Apr 2021
Many investors use controversy scores as a filter to avoid firms whose damaging behaviour has hit the headlines, from human rights violations to environmental disasters. But these scores have serious limitations, making them an inadequate tool for investors who want to manage ESG risks and have a positive impact.
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Real Assets
Five charts that show Copenhagen is a city of the future
7 Apr 2021
We take a visual approach to highlight why Copenhagen is such a rich, vibrant and economically prosperous city.
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Equities
What does the data say? Vaccines, illiquidity and managers called Dave
26 Mar 2021
In the first of a new monthly series, we take a visual approach to illustrate topical data themes in economies, markets and beyond. This month we look at the correlation between stock market performance and vaccinations, the illiquidity premium in real assets, and whether there are still more men called Dave running funds than female managers.
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Responsible Investing
Lean on me: How can bond investors influence government climate action?
25 Mar 2021
The coronavirus epidemic has further accelerated the rise of ESG into the investment mainstream. As deficits skyrocket, bond investors have an opportunity to engage with governments on climate change, argues Thomas Dillon.
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Fixed income
Deficits still matter… just not right now
22 Mar 2021
Deciding when to tighten the purse strings and hike taxes is complex at any time, even more so when the economic fallout from COVID-19 remains unclear. Getting deficits under control will need to happen eventually, but it would be a brave government to pursue that goal in the short term.
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Equities
Why it is getting harder to assess value in financial markets
19 Mar 2021
Massive intervention by central banks and governments in recent years has left investors struggling to value financial assets.
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Equities
Levelling up: How COVID-19 is accelerating a digital revolution in construction and manufacturing
18 Mar 2021
The coronavirus pandemic has spurred companies to upgrade their digital capabilities, boosting productivity and creating investment opportunities in previously overlooked niches.
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Responsible Investing
Building a better world after COVID-19
18 Mar 2021
There is a growing consensus among companies, governments and electorates across the globe that the world after the pandemic should be greener. But how should we go about this?
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Real Assets
Podcast: A clear green premium
18 Mar 2021
Our Head of ESG, Ed Dixon, recently joined Blackstock Consulting on a PropCast episode to launch their new series of ESG insights with industry leaders. Together, they discussed how the government needs to be partnering with businesses to reach their climate pledges, how the “green premium” is yielding higher rents for eco-friendly offices, and much more.
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Equities
Cut it out! The complex quest to decarbonise heating
16 Mar 2021
More countries are contemplating their visions for a lower carbon world. Norway has excluded fossil fuels entirely for heating buildings, while others are taking a more nuanced approach. So, what are the options for those with environment at the heart of their agenda?
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Responsible Investing
Is ‘purpose’ the new green? Pandemic exposes leaders and laggards in stakeholder capitalism
11 Mar 2021
In 2019, some of the world’s biggest companies pledged to look beyond short-term shareholder value and protect the interests of all stakeholders. The coronavirus pandemic has put these commitments to the test, says Mirza Baig.
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Responsible Investing
Outlook for auto giants unclear in an EV-driven future
10 Mar 2021
Investors are betting the likes of Tesla will win the race for sales of electric vehicles, but traditional carmakers and technology giants may have a say in who passes the chequered flag first.
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Equities
Zero rates: Too much of a good thing?
9 Mar 2021
The inexorable rise in asset prices caused by the seemingly never-ending era of monetary easing is calling into question long-held investment beliefs, as members of our multi-asset & macro and equities teams explain.
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Real Assets
Can a shift in UK policy help make the ESG case for nuclear?
8 Mar 2021
The UK government says nuclear energy may have a vital role to play in cutting carbon emissions. However, more detail is needed to help investors assess nuclear technology’s ESG credentials, argue Darryl Murphy and Stanley Kwong.
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