Recent thinking
Real Assets
Building back better: The path to net zero
18 Jan 2021
While much of the world’s focus continues to be on tackling the COVID-19 pandemic, the climate crisis also requires urgent attention. The number of countries and companies supporting the move to a lower-carbon world is growing, but practical challenges remain. How can we build back better after COVID, and navigate to a cleaner, safer and sustainable world?
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Equities
Our annual letter to company chairpersons
15 Jan 2021
As part of our engagement efforts, every January we send a letter to the chairs of companies we invest in (and some we don’t, but still want to use our influence with) to set out our stewardship priorities for the year. Here, in full, is our 2021 letter.
Read more
Real Assets
Hydrogen: Back to the future
18 Dec 2020
The UK is the latest country to accelerate plans to develop hydrogen as part of its push to reach net zero. But it is not the first time hydrogen has attracted attention – it has been trumpeted by the scientific community as a possible wonder fuel for around a century. So, what’s changed now?
Read more
Equities
Issuance, support from equities and volatility: The outlook for convertible bonds in 2021
18 Dec 2020
Shawn Mato, convertible bond fund manager, picks three themes that could have a big say in how the asset class performs in 2021.
Read more
Multi-asset & multi-strategy
Vaccine hope, Biden and central bank policy: The outlook for multi-asset in 2021
17 Dec 2020
Sunil Krishnan highlights some of the themes that will shape multi-asset investing in 2021.
Read more
Multi-asset & multi-strategy
Liquidity, uneven recoveries and debt sustainability: The outlook for emerging-market debt in 2021
17 Dec 2020
Liam Spillane, head of emerging market debt at Aviva Investors, picks three themes that could have a big say in how the asset class performs in 2021.
Read more
Fixed income
Zombie revival, improving fundamentals and monetary policy: The outlook for high yield in 2021
17 Dec 2020
Kevin Mathews, Brent Finck and Sunita Kara, high yield portfolio managers at Aviva Investors, pick out three themes that will shape the asset class in 2021.
Read more
Fixed income
Stimulus, M&A and US politics: The outlook for investment grade credit in 2021
17 Dec 2020
Mike Cho and Jonathan Manning, investment-grade portfolio managers at Aviva Investors, look at the themes that will shape the asset class in 2021.
Read more
Real Assets
COVID recovery, net zero and policy: The outlook for UK infrastructure in 2021
16 Dec 2020
Darryl Murphy assesses the current state of the UK infrastructure market and the likely drivers of activity in 2021.
Read more
Real Assets
Relative value, ‘normality’ and polarisation: The outlook for real estate in 2021
16 Dec 2020
Souad Cherfouh, head of real estate investment strategy, and Jonathan Bayfield, head of UK and Irish real estate research, look at three themes that could characterise the real estate market in 2021 and beyond.
Read more
Real Assets
COVID, remote working and building back better: The stories that defined real assets in 2020
16 Dec 2020
We select some of our key pieces of content on real asset markets in a dramatic year.
Read more
Responsible Investing
Laggards, electric vehicles and energy storage: The outlook for the climate transition in 2021
15 Dec 2020
Jaime Ramos Martin, portfolio manager of Aviva Investors’ climate transition strategy, and Rick Stathers, Aviva Investors’ climate lead, look at three themes that will shape the outlook in 2021.
Read more
Equities
Recovery, divergence and externalities: The outlook for global equities in 2021
15 Dec 2020
Giles Parkinson, global equities portfolio manager at Aviva Investors, looks at three themes that will shape the asset class in 2021.
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Responsible Investing
How the US can lead on climate finance: A five-point plan for President Biden’s first year
14 Dec 2020
The US went backwards on tackling climate change under President Trump. His successor Joe Biden must act quickly to make up for lost time, says Steve Waygood.
Read more
Equities
Reversal of fortunes, Brexit and dividends: The outlook for UK equities in 2021
11 Dec 2020
Trevor Green, UK equity portfolio manager at Aviva Investors, picks three themes that could have a big say in how the asset class performs in 2021.
Read more
Equities
Selectivity, sanctions and decarbonisation: The outlook for emerging market equities in 2021
11 Dec 2020
Alistair Way, head of emerging market equities at Aviva Investors, looks at three themes that will shape the asset class in 2021.
Read more
AIQ: The Risk Edition
COVID-19 has shown how quickly a single event can disrupt a globalised economy. AIQ explores some of the biggest threats facing the world, from cybersecurity to environmental disasters, and considers the investment implications.
AIQ: The Climate Edition
Can the world get back on track towards meeting the commitments of 2015’s Paris Agreement? From science to psychology; from land use to big data; we examine the challenges posed by climate change and assess potential solutions.
The Little Book of Data
A curated collection of the infographics shaping our views on markets and economics. Limited availability, so reserve your copy of The Little Book of Data now.
AIQ features
Roll of the dice: Risk and resilience in an age of uncertainty
The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the difficulties of managing risk in an increasingly globalised and interconnected world. We explore how organisations can stay resilient through an era of radical change.
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The evolution of ESG: More than just a risk mitigator
Once dismissed as a virtuous endeavour that compromised investment returns, the ability to gain a more holistic view of risk by considering environmental, social and governance factors is increasingly appreciated by investors. We assess the evolution of ESG across asset classes, as well as its role as a risk mitigator and opportunity spotter.
Read more
The Technocrat: Lord Adair Turner
With developed economies stuck in a high-debt and low interest rate trap, the former head of Britain’s financial watchdog believes central banks should break a long-held taboo and finance governments directly.
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Economics and ethics: Why diversity matters
In business, diversity can be the difference between success and failure. But while progress towards it has been frustratingly slow in many areas, the pressure is mounting on companies to act.
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Pandemic risk: When will we learn our lesson?
COVID-19 has reminded us that the sources of economic and financial crises can be wildly unpredictable. However, while spotting patient zero in advance was nigh on impossible, pandemic risk was well telegraphed. In the first part of our mini-series, The source of the next crisis, we consider whether an infectious disease could wrong-foot us again or whether governments will learn their lesson.
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Cybersecurity in the fourth industrial revolution
COVID-19 shocked investors into taking pandemic risks more seriously. In an increasingly connected world, where data is the new oil, could cyberattacks be the next big threat?
Read more
Inflation hawks: Crying wolf?
Twelve years on from the financial crisis, inflation hawks are back. They were proved wrong then, but could this time be different? In part three of our mini-series on the source of the next crisis, we explore the extent to which inflation poses a risk to the global economy and financial stability.
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Geopolitics: Could the coronavirus pandemic lead to a new Cold War?
The US-China relationship has deteriorated in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. What does this geopolitical rivalry mean for the global economy and markets?
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Nature and neglect: The era of ecological disasters
As the frequency and ferocity of natural hazards increase, in part five of our mini-series on the source of the next crisis AIQ considers the economic and investment implications and what we can learn from past mistakes.
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The Economist: John Kay
AIQ speaks to economist and author John Kay about risk, uncertainty and the longer-term implications of the coronavirus pandemic.
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The risks on the savings and retirement journey
COVID-19 has caused significant volatility in financial markets, creating headaches for defined contribution pension schemes seeking to deliver robust outcomes. Overcoming this requires a full map of risks along the savings and retirement journey, argues Francois de Bruin.
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Policy moves into the great unknown, but at what cost?
Policymakers are dreaming up ever more radical experiments to try and pull economies out of what could be the deepest recession in living memory. But until the world can cure its addiction to debt, financial markets will remain on a knife edge.
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Trial and error: The value of learning from mistakes
A common characteristic of successful people and organisations is an ability to recognise and quickly learn from their mistakes. UK Equity Income Fund Manager Chris Murphy shares the lessons he has learned from an eventful career.
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Will COVID-19 concentrate corporate power
The fallout from the coronavirus pandemic could see large firms cement their dominance over weaker rivals. We examine the implications for investors.
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Resilience in credit: All calm for now, but big tests lie in store
For credit investors, resilience is about taking appropriate levels of risk, understanding market dynamics, and identifying companies best prepared for the future. All these qualities could be tested given the wide range of possible outcomes as the world begins to recover from COVID-19.
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Real assets and the quest for resilient income
COVID-19 has made life harder for already yield-starved investors, and each asset class faces its own challenges. We draw on the latest thinking from our Real Assets House View and research team to highlight where reliable income sources can still be found in real asset markets.
Read more
Equities
Our annual letter to company chairpersons
As part of our engagement efforts, every January we send a letter to the chairs of companies we invest in (and some we don’t, but still want to use our influence with) to set out our stewardship priorities for the year. Here, in full, is our 2021 letter.
Read more
Issuance, support from equities and volatility: The outlook for convertible bonds in 2021
Shawn Mato, convertible bond fund manager, picks three themes that could have a big say in how the asset class performs in 2021.
Read more
Recovery, divergence and externalities: The outlook for global equities in 2021
Giles Parkinson, global equities portfolio manager at Aviva Investors, looks at three themes that will shape the asset class in 2021.
Read more
Reversal of fortunes, Brexit and dividends: The outlook for UK equities in 2021
Trevor Green, UK equity portfolio manager at Aviva Investors, picks three themes that could have a big say in how the asset class performs in 2021.
Read more
Selectivity, sanctions and decarbonisation: The outlook for emerging market equities in 2021
Alistair Way, head of emerging market equities at Aviva Investors, looks at three themes that will shape the asset class in 2021.
Read more
COVID, climate and Black Lives Matter: The stories that defined 2020
We select some of our key pieces of content in a year of unending drama.
Read more
Chemical compounds: The good, the bad and the ugly
After decades of secrecy, light is increasingly being shone on the potentially hazardous compounds produced by chemical companies. In the latest instalment of our editorial series, Link, experts from Aviva Investors’ credit, equities and ESG teams discuss the prevalence of chemicals in modern life, and how to balance usefulness and safety.
Read more
Pricing power is the magic ingredient for equity investors
Evidence that a company wields pricing power in its industry is the best indication of a sustainable competitive advantage, argues Giles Parkinson.
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Once bitten, twice shy: Is there value in tech by avoiding the FAANGs?
The gravity-defying rally in technology shares has led some commentators to draw comparisons with the dot.com bubble of the late 1990s. However, Mikhail Zverev and Alistair Way believe there are still opportunities to be found in some of the sector’s less-fashionable stocks.
Read more
US Election 2020: Expect the unexpected
As the US presidential election looms, we explore potential scenarios – from a Democratic “blue sweep” to a Trump re-election to a divided government – and assess the implications for investors.
Read more
Turn and face the change: How to invest dynamically in an uncertain world
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.
Read more
Don’t feed the troll: Social media companies face reckoning over hate speech
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?
Read more
Investing in the gut: Fixing the bacterial bugs in our microbiome
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.
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Why limit yourself? The benefits of style-agnostic investing
Investors wanting to consistently exploit market inefficiencies should leave style biases behind, argues Mikhail Zverev.
Read more
Out with the old: Why income investors must be on the right side of change
It has been a difficult year for income investing, as many companies have announced cuts or suspensions to dividends. But there are opportunities for investors willing to do some digging to find resilient businesses, says Richard Saldanha.
Read more
The clockmaker and the longitude problem: A lesson for investors in bottom-up problem solving
Bottom-up thinking is not a typical hallmark of multi-asset investing. However, Francois de Bruin believes the granularity that comes from this approach offers useful diversification and risk benefits.
Read more
Fixed income
Our annual letter to company chairpersons
As part of our engagement efforts, every January we send a letter to the chairs of companies we invest in (and some we don’t, but still want to use our influence with) to set out our stewardship priorities for the year. Here, in full, is our 2021 letter.
Read more
Issuance, support from equities and volatility: The outlook for convertible bonds in 2021
Shawn Mato, convertible bond fund manager, picks three themes that could have a big say in how the asset class performs in 2021.
Read more
Zombie revival, improving fundamentals and monetary policy: The outlook for high yield in 2021
Kevin Mathews, Brent Finck and Sunita Kara, high yield portfolio managers at Aviva Investors, pick out three themes that will shape the asset class in 2021.
Read more
Stimulus, M&A and US politics: The outlook for investment grade credit in 2021
Mike Cho and Jonathan Manning, investment-grade portfolio managers at Aviva Investors, look at the themes that will shape the asset class in 2021.
Read more
Chemical compounds: The good, the bad and the ugly
After decades of secrecy, light is increasingly being shone on the potentially hazardous compounds produced by chemical companies. In the latest instalment of our editorial series, Link, experts from Aviva Investors’ credit, equities and ESG teams discuss the prevalence of chemicals in modern life, and how to balance usefulness and safety.
Read more
Sustainability in credit: Why ESG scores don’t tell the whole story
ESG ratings are a helpful baseline to assess companies, but views on their ESG risks and opportunities can be honed – and sometimes corrected – through deeper research, trend analysis and meetings with company executives.
Read more
US Election 2020: Expect the unexpected
As the US presidential election looms, we explore potential scenarios – from a Democratic “blue sweep” to a Trump re-election to a divided government – and assess the implications for investors.
Read more
Global high yield: Stimulus fuels the march of the zombies
Zombie companies are the talk of the town. Will they limp on forever, storing up potential trouble for investors’ portfolios, or can they revive and thrive after the COVID crisis?
Read more
Home and leisure in a pandemic: Girls (and boys) still want to have fun
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.
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Fed’s policy shift may spell long-term trouble for bonds
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.
Read more
Emerging market debt: A path less volatile
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.
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The new rules of client engagement
As the coronavirus pandemic reshapes our working lives, asset managers must find new ways to interact with their clients, says Apiramy Jeyarajah.
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Electric avenue: EVs and the transformation of autos
In the latest instalment of our editorial series, Link, experts from our infrastructure, credit research and equity teams discuss why efforts to ‘build back better’ as economies recover from COVID-19 could further accelerate investment in electric vehicles and associated infrastructure.
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Education, entrepreneurship and biological age: An interview with Andrew Scott
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.
Read more
Longevity, policy and technology: An interview with Andrew Scott
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.
Read more
Reality bites: Retailing in a health crisis
In the latest instalment of our editorial series, Link, experts from Aviva Investors’ credit, equities and real asset teams discuss the consequences of COVID-19 on the retail sector and their implications for investors.
Read more
Multi-asset & multi-strategy
Our annual letter to company chairpersons
As part of our engagement efforts, every January we send a letter to the chairs of companies we invest in (and some we don’t, but still want to use our influence with) to set out our stewardship priorities for the year. Here, in full, is our 2021 letter.
Read more
Vaccine hope, Biden and central bank policy: The outlook for multi-asset in 2021
Sunil Krishnan highlights some of the themes that will shape multi-asset investing in 2021.
Read more
Liquidity, uneven recoveries and debt sustainability: The outlook for emerging-market debt in 2021
Liam Spillane, head of emerging market debt at Aviva Investors, picks three themes that could have a big say in how the asset class performs in 2021.
Read more
COVID, climate and Black Lives Matter: The stories that defined 2020
We select some of our key pieces of content in a year of unending drama.
Read more
Income investing: The return of Goldilocks and the three bears
The Goldilocks environment is back, but bears are lurking in the shadows. Francois de Bruin explores the risks and opportunities that need to be managed to get outcomes that are “just right”.
Read more
Multi-asset allocation views: Changing seasons, changing dynamics
After a strong summer, conditions are changing in asset markets. Sunil Krishnan assesses the risks and opportunities for investors.
Read more
Short story: Why Fed action could be bad news for the dollar
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.
Read more
Sustainability: Drawing force from lines of tension
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.
Read more
The clockmaker and the longitude problem: A lesson for investors in bottom-up problem solving
Bottom-up thinking is not a typical hallmark of multi-asset investing. However, Francois de Bruin believes the granularity that comes from this approach offers useful diversification and risk benefits.
Read more
COVID-19: Can a lasting recovery happen without a vaccine?
With the notable exception of China, countries around the world have struggled to get their economies firing on all cylinders without COVID-19 infections flaring up again. Until a way to contain the virus is found, recoveries are likely to remain stop-start and fragile, argue Ian Pizer, Mark Robertson and Sunil Krishnan.
Read more
COVID-19 and antimicrobial resistance: The next health crisis?
As the world grapples with COVID-19, antibiotics used to treat serious secondary bacterial infections associated with the coronavirus are making their way into wastewater with potentially dire consequences. Abigail Herron questions whether investors appreciate the seriousness of what antimicrobial resistance could lead to.
Read more
Multi-asset allocation views: What we can learn from earnings season
Investors have faced several surprises during Q2 earnings season. Sunil Krishnan discusses what the current results round means for multi-asset investors over the coming months.
Read more
Education, entrepreneurship and biological age: An interview with Andrew Scott
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.
Read more
Longevity, policy and technology: An interview with Andrew Scott
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.
Read more
Multi-strategy investing and the COVID crash: Resilience and redemption?
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought many things into focus, reminding investors of the shock of a market crash. With bond and equity prices already back at levels that seem to belie the harsh economic reality, Peter Fitzgerald and Mark Robertson believe it could be time to reconsider absolute return multi-strategy investing once more.
Read more
The risks on the savings and retirement journey
COVID-19 has caused significant volatility in financial markets, creating headaches for defined contribution pension schemes seeking to deliver robust outcomes. Overcoming this requires a full map of risks along the savings and retirement journey, argues Francois de Bruin.
Read more
Real assets
Building back better: The path to net zero
While much of the world’s focus continues to be on tackling the COVID-19 pandemic, the climate crisis also requires urgent attention. The number of countries and companies supporting the move to a lower-carbon world is growing, but practical challenges remain. How can we build back better after COVID, and navigate to a cleaner, safer and sustainable world?
Read more
Our annual letter to company chairpersons
As part of our engagement efforts, every January we send a letter to the chairs of companies we invest in (and some we don’t, but still want to use our influence with) to set out our stewardship priorities for the year. Here, in full, is our 2021 letter.
Read more
Hydrogen: Back to the future
The UK is the latest country to accelerate plans to develop hydrogen as part of its push to reach net zero. But it is not the first time hydrogen has attracted attention – it has been trumpeted by the scientific community as a possible wonder fuel for around a century. So, what’s changed now?
Read more
COVID recovery, net zero and policy: The outlook for UK infrastructure in 2021
Darryl Murphy assesses the current state of the UK infrastructure market and the likely drivers of activity in 2021.
Read more
Relative value, ‘normality’ and polarisation: The outlook for real estate in 2021
Souad Cherfouh, head of real estate investment strategy, and Jonathan Bayfield, head of UK and Irish real estate research, look at three themes that could characterise the real estate market in 2021 and beyond.
Read more
COVID, remote working and building back better: The stories that defined real assets in 2020
We select some of our key pieces of content on real asset markets in a dramatic year.
Read more
COVID, climate and Black Lives Matter: The stories that defined 2020
We select some of our key pieces of content in a year of unending drama.
Read more
Navigating the path to net zero: An interview with Jill Rutter
There is a large gulf between the concept of ‘net zero’ and the practical policies that will deliver it. Jill Rutter, senior fellow at the Institute for Government, takes a hard look at the UK’s progress towards the 2050 target.
Read more
Real assets and net zero: Now for the hard part
There is no lack of willingness among investors in real assets to play their part in helping countries reach net zero by 2050. But much needs to change – and quickly, as Laurence Monnier explains.
Read more
Remote working is on the rise, but the office remains indispensable
While the COVID-19 lockdown has highlighted the possibilities of home working, bringing people together in offices is still the best way to spur innovation and productivity, says Jonathan Bayfield.
Read more
Overcoming underwriting obstacles in a pandemic and beyond
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.
Read more
When equity becomes debt: The untapped potential of amortising-lease real estate
Pension schemes seeking alternatives to bonds may find amortising leases a compelling option, writes Luke Layfield.
Read more
Fit for the future: Unboxing ESG in real assets
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.
Read more
Fibre broadband: The need for speed
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.
Read more
Swipe right: The Tinder effect on real estate
It can be hard to perceive how society, and consequently our use of real estate, is changing. Sometimes, major structural trends are hiding in plain sight, says Chris Urwin.
Read more
Five charts that show Manchester is a city of the future
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.
Read more
Responsible investment
Building back better: The path to net zero
While much of the world’s focus continues to be on tackling the COVID-19 pandemic, the climate crisis also requires urgent attention. The number of countries and companies supporting the move to a lower-carbon world is growing, but practical challenges remain. How can we build back better after COVID, and navigate to a cleaner, safer and sustainable world?
Read more
Our annual letter to company chairpersons
As part of our engagement efforts, every January we send a letter to the chairs of companies we invest in (and some we don’t, but still want to use our influence with) to set out our stewardship priorities for the year. Here, in full, is our 2021 letter.
Read more
Hydrogen: Back to the future
The UK is the latest country to accelerate plans to develop hydrogen as part of its push to reach net zero. But it is not the first time hydrogen has attracted attention – it has been trumpeted by the scientific community as a possible wonder fuel for around a century. So, what’s changed now?
Read more
Laggards, electric vehicles and energy storage: The outlook for the climate transition in 2021
Jaime Ramos Martin, portfolio manager of Aviva Investors’ climate transition strategy, and Rick Stathers, Aviva Investors’ climate lead, look at three themes that will shape the outlook in 2021.
Read more
How the US can lead on climate finance: A five-point plan for President Biden’s first year
The US went backwards on tackling climate change under President Trump. His successor Joe Biden must act quickly to make up for lost time, says Steve Waygood.
Read more
COVID, climate and Black Lives Matter: The stories that defined 2020
We select some of our key pieces of content in a year of unending drama.
Read more
Chemical compounds: The good, the bad and the ugly
After decades of secrecy, light is increasingly being shone on the potentially hazardous compounds produced by chemical companies. In the latest instalment of our editorial series, Link, experts from Aviva Investors’ credit, equities and ESG teams discuss the prevalence of chemicals in modern life, and how to balance usefulness and safety.
Read more
The client lens: An interview with Faith Ward
Brunel Pension Partnership’s chief responsible investment officer discusses climate change, greenwashing and the urgent need to repair flaws in the financial system.
Read more
Navigating the path to net zero: An interview with Jill Rutter
There is a large gulf between the concept of ‘net zero’ and the practical policies that will deliver it. Jill Rutter, senior fellow at the Institute for Government, takes a hard look at the UK’s progress towards the 2050 target.
Read more
Carbon capture: Solution or pipedream?
Reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is becoming an increasingly urgent priority in the fight against climate change. Both new and established pathways to remove the gas are under scrutiny, as decision makers around the globe grapple with how to take the most effective action.
Read more
Sustainability in credit: Why ESG scores don’t tell the whole story
ESG ratings are a helpful baseline to assess companies, but views on their ESG risks and opportunities can be honed – and sometimes corrected – through deeper research, trend analysis and meetings with company executives.
Read more
Real assets and net zero: Now for the hard part
There is no lack of willingness among investors in real assets to play their part in helping countries reach net zero by 2050. But much needs to change – and quickly, as Laurence Monnier explains.
Read more
Turn and face the change: How to invest dynamically in an uncertain world
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.
Read more
Fit for the future: Unboxing ESG in real assets
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.
Read more
The evolution of ESG: More than just a risk mitigator
Once dismissed as a virtuous endeavour that compromised investment returns, the ability to gain a more holistic view of risk by considering environmental, social and governance factors is increasingly appreciated by investors. We assess the evolution of ESG across asset classes, as well as its role as a risk mitigator and opportunity spotter.
Read more
Health first: Finding resilience in pharmaceuticals
COVID-19 has led to a new appreciation of the importance of healthcare in ensuring all members of society thrive. So where should investors be looking to find resilience in an industry facing enormous change?
Read more
Economic research
Hydrogen: Back to the future
The UK is the latest country to accelerate plans to develop hydrogen as part of its push to reach net zero. But it is not the first time hydrogen has attracted attention – it has been trumpeted by the scientific community as a possible wonder fuel for around a century. So, what’s changed now?
Read more
How the US can lead on climate finance: A five-point plan for President Biden’s first year
The US went backwards on tackling climate change under President Trump. His successor Joe Biden must act quickly to make up for lost time, says Steve Waygood.
Read more
COVID, climate and Black Lives Matter: The stories that defined 2020
We select some of our key pieces of content in a year of unending drama.
Read more
Navigating the path to net zero: An interview with Jill Rutter
There is a large gulf between the concept of ‘net zero’ and the practical policies that will deliver it. Jill Rutter, senior fellow at the Institute for Government, takes a hard look at the UK’s progress towards the 2050 target.
Read more
US Election 2020: Expect the unexpected
As the US presidential election looms, we explore potential scenarios – from a Democratic “blue sweep” to a Trump re-election to a divided government – and assess the implications for investors.
Read more
Race, ethnicity and investing: Practice what you preach
In the second article in our series on racism, we explain why asset managers need to get their own house in order to be a credible agent for change at the companies they invest in.
Read more
Race, ethnicity and investing: A time for action
In the first of a two-part series on anti-black racism, we look at five areas asset managers need to focus on if their engagement efforts are to make a positive difference.
Read more
Prime time: How streaming is reshaping film and TV
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.
Read more
Suga rush: Can Japan’s new PM deliver on reform promises?
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?
Read more
Fed’s policy shift may spell long-term trouble for bonds
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.
Read more
The AIQ Podcast: The source of the next crisis
The latest episode of the AIQ podcast explores what we know about complex risks. With what we know now, can we anticipate where the next crisis will emerge?
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COVID-19: Can a lasting recovery happen without a vaccine?
With the notable exception of China, countries around the world have struggled to get their economies firing on all cylinders without COVID-19 infections flaring up again. Until a way to contain the virus is found, recoveries are likely to remain stop-start and fragile, argue Ian Pizer, Mark Robertson and Sunil Krishnan.
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COVID-19 and antimicrobial resistance: The next health crisis?
As the world grapples with COVID-19, antibiotics used to treat serious secondary bacterial infections associated with the coronavirus are making their way into wastewater with potentially dire consequences. Abigail Herron questions whether investors appreciate the seriousness of what antimicrobial resistance could lead to.
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The new rules of client engagement
As the coronavirus pandemic reshapes our working lives, asset managers must find new ways to interact with their clients, says Apiramy Jeyarajah.
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The AIQ Podcast: Risk and resilience in an age of uncertainty
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?
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Education, entrepreneurship and biological age: An interview with Andrew Scott
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.
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