Recent thinking

Real Assets
From crisis comes opportunity: What’s normal now?
2 Mar 2021
Big challenges bring us the opportunity to think differently. Our investment teams reveal what they have learnt from COVID-19, and how they are preparing to face whatever ‘normal’ emerges in a post-pandemic world.
Read more

Real Assets
How Manchester transformed into a city of the future
26 Feb 2021
Once an industrial powerhouse, Manchester reversed its decline to become one of Europe's top creative capitals. Watch our video to find out why we call it a city of the future.
Read more

Real Assets
RPI reform: The implications for real assets
22 Feb 2021
With the methodology for calculating the UK Retail Prices Index set to change in 2030, we explore the implications for real assets.
Read more

Equities
Pixie dust and demon dust: The little things that make a big difference in equity markets
19 Feb 2021
To gain an accurate picture of a company’s long-term prospects, investors must pay close attention to the details, says Giles Parkinson.
Read more

Economic Research
The investment industry should get ready for the rise of the millennials
18 Feb 2021
The millennial generation is set to inherit trillions over the coming decade. Asset managers and advisers must engage with these younger investors to understand their requirements, says Apiramy Jeyarajah.
Read more

Equities
When it comes to emerging markets, small is beautiful
17 Feb 2021
With concentration increasing in major emerging market indices, small cap companies can offer investors welcome diversification, says Will Ballard.
Read more

Insurance
Multi-asset allocation views: Room to grow
16 Feb 2021
The early part of a year gives investors an opportunity to take stock. Sunil Krishnan reflects on how the current environment is shaping our views for multi-asset portfolios.
Read more

Equities
Weather shifts and white elephants: How climate risk is moving the goalposts for emerging market investors
10 Feb 2021
Droughts and water shortages used to be associated with the world’s poorest countries. Now middle-income economies are suffering the effects of extreme weather too, with significant implications for investors, says Will Ballard.
Read more

Equities
The AIQ Podcast: The future of the internet
9 Feb 2021
Commercial and geopolitical forces are threatening to fracture the internet. In this episode of the AIQ podcast, we explore the implications for investors.
Read more

Equities
EM equities: Will Chinese regulators tear down the house that Jack built?
5 Feb 2021
In late 2020, Chinese authorities announced an antitrust investigation into e-commerce giant Alibaba and halted the IPO of its financial services affiliate, Ant Group. Alistair Way looks at the implications for investors in Chinese tech.
Read more

Equities
The COVID Nudge
28 Jan 2021
In these data visualisations, we look at whether COVID-19 will achieve something that millions spent on public health campaigning has failed to do.
Read more

Insurance
A time for action: Race, ethnicity and investing
28 Jan 2021
In a two-part feature, we look at what asset managers need to focus their engagement efforts on to make a difference on anti-black racism, and why the industry needs to get its own house in order.
Read more

Real Assets
Virtual reality: How COVID-19 is reshaping the world of work
27 Jan 2021
While the coronavirus pandemic has devastated livelihoods, it also presents an opportunity for companies and policymakers to reinvent the world of work. The future is full of possibilities – but no easy answers.
Read more

AIQ Feature
Cutting loose: COVID-19 deals globalisation a further blow
27 Jan 2021
Globalisation’s image problem may have been further tarnished by the pandemic, but can political leaders use the crisis to reform it for the better and resist the urge to abandon it altogether?
Read more

AIQ Feature
United Europe: From discord to harmony?
26 Jan 2021
Global politics are in flux as policymakers scramble to manage the pandemic and revive economies. Can Europe come together and carve a place for itself on the international stage, or will it end up a passive player buffeted by greater forces?
Read more

Responsible Investing
Hot wheels: Cars, climate change and the great EV disconnect
25 Jan 2021
With traditional carmakers under intense pressure to cut emissions in the fight against climate change, investors are putting their money behind pure play electric vehicle producers. Alessandro Rovelli digs into the numbers to assess whether this trend is sustainable.
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

The COVID Nudge
In these data visualisations, we look at whether COVID-19 will achieve something that millions spent on public health campaigning has failed to do.
Read more

A time for action: Race, ethnicity and investing
In a two-part feature, we look at what asset managers need to focus their engagement efforts on to make a difference on anti-black racism, and why the industry needs to get its own house in order.
Read more

Virtual reality: How COVID-19 is reshaping the world of work
While the coronavirus pandemic has devastated livelihoods, it also presents an opportunity for companies and policymakers to reinvent the world of work. The future is full of possibilities – but no easy answers.
Read more

Cutting loose: COVID-19 deals globalisation a further blow
Globalisation’s image problem may have been further tarnished by the pandemic, but can political leaders use the crisis to reform it for the better and resist the urge to abandon it altogether?
Read more

United Europe: From discord to harmony?
Global politics are in flux as policymakers scramble to manage the pandemic and revive economies. Can Europe come together and carve a place for itself on the international stage, or will it end up a passive player buffeted by greater forces?
Read more

Empire states of mind: Is the age of US exceptionalism at an end?
As the world starts to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, the US’s position as global hegemon will be under mortal threat from a resurgent China that looks to have escaped the virus relatively unscathed.
Read more

What a carve up! The future of the internet
Commercial and geopolitical forces are threatening to fracture the internet into competing regimes, making it harder for companies to operate across borders and potentially limiting their growth. We explore the implications for investors.
Read more

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

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

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.
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

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.
Read more

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.
Read more

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.
Read more

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.
Read more
Equities

From crisis comes opportunity: What’s normal now?
Big challenges bring us the opportunity to think differently. Our investment teams reveal what they have learnt from COVID-19, and how they are preparing to face whatever ‘normal’ emerges in a post-pandemic world.
Read more

Pixie dust and demon dust: The little things that make a big difference in equity markets
To gain an accurate picture of a company’s long-term prospects, investors must pay close attention to the details, says Giles Parkinson.
Read more

When it comes to emerging markets, small is beautiful
With concentration increasing in major emerging market indices, small cap companies can offer investors welcome diversification, says Will Ballard.
Read more

Weather shifts and white elephants: How climate risk is moving the goalposts for emerging market investors
Droughts and water shortages used to be associated with the world’s poorest countries. Now middle-income economies are suffering the effects of extreme weather too, with significant implications for investors, says Will Ballard.
Read more

The AIQ Podcast: The future of the internet
Commercial and geopolitical forces are threatening to fracture the internet. In this episode of the AIQ podcast, we explore the implications for investors.
Read more

EM equities: Will Chinese regulators tear down the house that Jack built?
In late 2020, Chinese authorities announced an antitrust investigation into e-commerce giant Alibaba and halted the IPO of its financial services affiliate, Ant Group. Alistair Way looks at the implications for investors in Chinese tech.
Read more

The COVID Nudge
In these data visualisations, we look at whether COVID-19 will achieve something that millions spent on public health campaigning has failed to do.
Read more

What a carve up! The future of the internet
Commercial and geopolitical forces are threatening to fracture the internet into competing regimes, making it harder for companies to operate across borders and potentially limiting their growth. We explore the implications for investors.
Read more

The tough arithmetic of #neversell stocks
Over recent years, a group of established companies have traded at relatively high valuations for their robust competitive advantages and consistent growth records. But in a competitive economy, investors should not assume this will continue indefinitely, warns Giles Parkinson.
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

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
Fixed income

From crisis comes opportunity: What’s normal now?
Big challenges bring us the opportunity to think differently. Our investment teams reveal what they have learnt from COVID-19, and how they are preparing to face whatever ‘normal’ emerges in a post-pandemic world.
Read more

The COVID Nudge
In these data visualisations, we look at whether COVID-19 will achieve something that millions spent on public health campaigning has failed to do.
Read more

What a carve up! The future of the internet
Commercial and geopolitical forces are threatening to fracture the internet into competing regimes, making it harder for companies to operate across borders and potentially limiting their growth. We explore the implications for investors.
Read more

Investing for impact in private debt to combat climate change
Impact investment strategies will have an important role to play if the green credentials of the world’s stock of real estate is to be transformed, argue Gregor Bamert and Stanley Kwong.
Read more

The path for oil and gas after COVID-19
Post-COVID recovery initiatives from governments are increasingly taking a green path, but the response of oil and gas companies so far runs from denial to complete reinvention. Should they continue pumping oil for as long as they can to avoid destroying capital for investors, or do they need to accelerate efforts to future proof their businesses now?
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

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.
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

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.
Read more
Multi-asset & multi-strategy

From crisis comes opportunity: What’s normal now?
Big challenges bring us the opportunity to think differently. Our investment teams reveal what they have learnt from COVID-19, and how they are preparing to face whatever ‘normal’ emerges in a post-pandemic world.
Read more

Multi-asset allocation views: Room to grow
The early part of a year gives investors an opportunity to take stock. Sunil Krishnan reflects on how the current environment is shaping our views for multi-asset portfolios.
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

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.
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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
Real assets

From crisis comes opportunity: What’s normal now?
Big challenges bring us the opportunity to think differently. Our investment teams reveal what they have learnt from COVID-19, and how they are preparing to face whatever ‘normal’ emerges in a post-pandemic world.
Read more

How Manchester transformed into a city of the future
Once an industrial powerhouse, Manchester reversed its decline to become one of Europe's top creative capitals. Watch our video to find out why we call it a city of the future.
Read more

RPI reform: The implications for real assets
With the methodology for calculating the UK Retail Prices Index set to change in 2030, we explore the implications for real assets.
Read more

Virtual reality: How COVID-19 is reshaping the world of work
While the coronavirus pandemic has devastated livelihoods, it also presents an opportunity for companies and policymakers to reinvent the world of work. The future is full of possibilities – but no easy answers.
Read more

Investing for impact in private debt to combat climate change
Impact investment strategies will have an important role to play if the green credentials of the world’s stock of real estate is to be transformed, argue Gregor Bamert and Stanley Kwong.
Read more

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
Responsible investment

From crisis comes opportunity: What’s normal now?
Big challenges bring us the opportunity to think differently. Our investment teams reveal what they have learnt from COVID-19, and how they are preparing to face whatever ‘normal’ emerges in a post-pandemic world.
Read more

Weather shifts and white elephants: How climate risk is moving the goalposts for emerging market investors
Droughts and water shortages used to be associated with the world’s poorest countries. Now middle-income economies are suffering the effects of extreme weather too, with significant implications for investors, says Will Ballard.
Read more

The COVID Nudge
In these data visualisations, we look at whether COVID-19 will achieve something that millions spent on public health campaigning has failed to do.
Read more

Hot wheels: Cars, climate change and the great EV disconnect
With traditional carmakers under intense pressure to cut emissions in the fight against climate change, investors are putting their money behind pure play electric vehicle producers. Alessandro Rovelli digs into the numbers to assess whether this trend is sustainable.
Read more

Investing for impact in private debt to combat climate change
Impact investment strategies will have an important role to play if the green credentials of the world’s stock of real estate is to be transformed, argue Gregor Bamert and Stanley Kwong.
Read more

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
Economic research

From crisis comes opportunity: What’s normal now?
Big challenges bring us the opportunity to think differently. Our investment teams reveal what they have learnt from COVID-19, and how they are preparing to face whatever ‘normal’ emerges in a post-pandemic world.
Read more

The investment industry should get ready for the rise of the millennials
The millennial generation is set to inherit trillions over the coming decade. Asset managers and advisers must engage with these younger investors to understand their requirements, says Apiramy Jeyarajah.
Read more

A time for action: Race, ethnicity and investing
In a two-part feature, we look at what asset managers need to focus their engagement efforts on to make a difference on anti-black racism, and why the industry needs to get its own house in order.
Read more

Cutting loose: COVID-19 deals globalisation a further blow
Globalisation’s image problem may have been further tarnished by the pandemic, but can political leaders use the crisis to reform it for the better and resist the urge to abandon it altogether?
Read more

United Europe: From discord to harmony?
Global politics are in flux as policymakers scramble to manage the pandemic and revive economies. Can Europe come together and carve a place for itself on the international stage, or will it end up a passive player buffeted by greater forces?
Read more

Empire states of mind: Is the age of US exceptionalism at an end?
As the world starts to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, the US’s position as global hegemon will be under mortal threat from a resurgent China that looks to have escaped the virus relatively unscathed.
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

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.
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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?
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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.
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