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Insurance

Prime time: How streaming is reshaping film and TV

22 Oct 2020

The last ten years have seen the film and television industry transform beyond recognition. In the latest instalment of our editorial series, Link, experts from our credit and equity teams discuss whether streaming will continue its inexorable reshaping of the media landscape.

Equities

Turn and face the change: How to invest dynamically in an uncertain world

21 Oct 2020

Equity markets are slow to price in the implications of change. This creates opportunities for dynamic, style-agnostic investors to take advantage, argue Caroline Galligan and David Cumming.

Economic Research

Suga rush: Can Japan’s new PM deliver on reform promises?

20 Oct 2020

Former Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga has replaced Shinzo Abe, Japan’s longest serving prime minister. As he faces the twin challenges of leading the country out of a pandemic and pushing through much-needed structural reforms, what can investors expect from the new administration?

Real Assets

Overcoming underwriting obstacles in a pandemic and beyond

16 Oct 2020

The near-term disruption caused by the coronavirus has been testing for real estate borrowers seeking finance and originators. Gregor Bamert explains why new deals are still possible for those able to look through short-term uncertainty.

Multi-asset & multi-strategy

Multi-asset allocation views: Changing seasons, changing dynamics

15 Oct 2020

After a strong summer, conditions are changing in asset markets. Sunil Krishnan assesses the risks and opportunities for investors.

Insurance

Home and leisure in a pandemic: Girls (and boys) still want to have fun

13 Oct 2020

From cinemas to cruises, the consumer-driven home and leisure sector was hit hard by lockdown restrictions. With economies reopening in a disjointed manner, some sub-sectors have rebounded quickly while others continue to struggle. Here, we look at how the pandemic is reshaping the industry and the implications for investors.

Multi-asset & multi-strategy

Short story: Why Fed action could be bad news for the dollar

12 Oct 2020

With US real interest rates sinking ever more deeply into negative territory as the Fed signals it is on hold for a prolonged period, the outlook for the dollar is bearish for the first time in a decade, argues Mark Robertson.

Real Assets

When equity becomes debt: The untapped potential of amortising-lease real estate

9 Oct 2020

Pension schemes seeking alternatives to bonds may find amortising leases a compelling option, writes Luke Layfield.

Multi-asset & multi-strategy

Sustainability: Drawing force from lines of tension

6 Oct 2020

Much like a gem is forged under pressure, the ESG movement is powerful because it results from tension at multiple levels: between art and science, absolute and relative, exclusion and engagement. Francois de Bruin explores the lines of tension underpinning the investment approach to sustainability.

Real Assets

Fit for the future: Unboxing ESG in real assets

5 Oct 2020

Recent events have highlighted the importance of the environmental, social and governance characteristics of real asset investments – not only as part of COVID-19 recovery programmes, but also as a way of futureproofing portfolios.

Equities

Don’t feed the troll: Social media companies face reckoning over hate speech

28 Sep 2020

Facebook, Twitter and other platforms are drawing criticism for their failure to tackle hate content. But will the hit to their reputation do any lasting commercial damage?

Fixed income

Fed’s policy shift may spell long-term trouble for bonds

23 Sep 2020

Bond markets have taken the recent shift in the Federal Reserve’s policy framework in their stride, partly because interest rates are now expected to stay lower for even longer. But they look vulnerable if the Fed can revive inflation.

Equities

Investing in the gut: Fixing the bacterial bugs in our microbiome

21 Sep 2020

COVID-19 has intensified interest in the human microbiome, as researchers contemplate whether bacteria living in the gut might affect susceptibility to infection. Drawing on our experience in public markets and Ahren Innovation Capital’s knowledge of private markets, we look at the companies making strides in live biotherapeutics, using ‘bugs as drugs’, and key challenges that need to be overcome.

Fixed income

Emerging market debt: A path less volatile

17 Sep 2020

After one of the most volatile periods on record, hard currency emerging market debt is once again drawing investor interest, thanks to attractive yields and its diversification potential. But while markets recovered quickly from the volatility, investors should remain cautious for the challenges ahead.

Equities

Why limit yourself? The benefits of style-agnostic investing

16 Sep 2020

Investors wanting to consistently exploit market inefficiencies should leave style biases behind, argues Mikhail Zverev.

Real Assets

Fibre broadband: The need for speed

9 Sep 2020

Lockdown measures imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic have highlighted the importance of digital connectivity. Tim Perry looks at the investment opportunities and challenges associated with European economies transitioning from copper to faster fibre broadband networks.

The AIQ Podcast: Link - The power of connected thinking

5 Dec 2019

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

The AIQ Podcast: Link - The power of connected thinking

5 Dec 2019

This 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 philosopher’s 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.

View all AIQ Investment Thinking

AIQ Client Matters

Prime time: How streaming is reshaping film and TV

22 Oct 2020

Home and leisure in a pandemic: Girls (and boys) still want to have fun

13 Oct 2020

When equity becomes debt: The untapped potential of amortising-lease real estate

9 Oct 2020

Pension schemes seeking alternatives to bonds may find amortising leases a compelling option, writes Luke Layfield.

Five charts that show Manchester is a city of the future

20 Aug 2020

In this short, visual article we present five charts that show why Manchester is such a rich, vibrant and economically prosperous city. Our view is that the ingredients of connectivity, culture, talent, scale and scientific heritage make the city well-equipped to thrive in the coming years and decades.

The AIQ Podcast: Risk and resilience in an age of uncertainty

11 Aug 2020

The latest episode of the AIQ podcast explores the nature of risk in an uncertain world. How can we stay resilient when the unexpected occurs?

Education, entrepreneurship and biological age: An interview with Andrew Scott

6 Aug 2020

In part two of our interview with Professor Andrew Scott from London Business School, we look at how policy will shift to take account of people living for longer and how service providers will respond.

Longevity, policy and technology: An interview with Andrew Scott

6 Aug 2020

Living longer brings enormous opportunities to reshape how we spend our time. But in the first of a two-part interview, Andrew Scott from London Business School explains how advances in longevity and technology have not been matched by innovation in social structures or our approach to financial planning.

Where can investors put cash to work when rates go negative?

30 Jul 2020

Just when investors thought they couldn’t sink any lower, the economic shock caused by COVID-19 has put further downward pressure on interest rates in developed markets. Caroline Hedges, head of global liquidity portfolio management at Aviva Investors, looks at the impact on money market funds.

Defined Benefit pensions de-risking: A covenant and investment view

23 Jun 2020

In the midst of the COVID-19 shock, Felix Mantz from Lincoln Pensions and Joachim Sudre from Aviva Investors explore how defined benefit pension schemes should plan their journey towards an end game and adopt a more holistic approach to risk.

COVID-19: Will credit markets remain open for business?

1 May 2020

While concerns around credit market liquidity have been rising since the global financial crisis, the COVID-19 sell-off has highlighted how fragile liquidity can be during periods of real stress. Colin Purdie discusses the short- and long-term implications for investment grade and high yield credit globally.

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.

Five charts that will make you think differently about retirement

23 Aug 2019

Retiring at 60 is a relatively new concept, and possibly a short-lived one in our history. As populations age – and age better – people are looking at a host of ways to stay in work and sustain their retirement income. We present five charts that sum up the changing landscape.

Self-sufficiency for pension schemes: Keep on running?

28 May 2019

Boris Mikhailov and Matthew Graham look at the benefits and risks for pension schemes targeting self-sufficiency.

The future of insurance

17 May 2019

The insurance industry has evolved rapidly since the financial crisis. The next decade is shaping up to be every bit as transformative as firms grapple with a host of factors, most notably the unfolding regulatory framework, digital disruption and climate change.

Conference calls: a snapshot of investors’ views on the big issues

23 Oct 2018

Attendees at Aviva Investors’ annual institutional investor conference gave their take on some of the key themes impacting pensions schemes, from ESG to asset allocation shifts.

Balancing liquidity and flexibility: a DB de-risking dilemma

13 Sep 2018

As transfers out of UK Defined Benefit (DB) pension schemes reach record levels, John Dewey assesses the implications for pension schemes with alternative income allocations.

View all AIQ Client Matters