Investing in 2019

In this edition of Panorama we assess the global investment landscape and the potential challenges and opportunities facing investors in the year ahead.

Navigating volatile markets

"Investors are likely to face some significant challenges in 2019. They will need to think differently, be more precise in risk-budgeting, and work harder for risk-adjusted returns than they have done for the majority of the post-financial crisis period. Flexibility and staying nimble are likely to be important qualities as opportunities and dislocations ebb and flow both across and within asset classes."

Suni Harford, Head of Investments

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Video: What’s in the mix? Asset allocation opportunities for 2019

Evan Brown, Head of Macro Asset Allocation Strategy, discusses expected shifts in the macroeconomic backdrop and the outlook for equities, fixed income, and EM and China assets. More
Video: How to approach volatile markets

Suni Harford, Head of Investments, reflects on the key themes from ‘Panorama: Investing in 2019’ and how investors should consider approaching the coming year. More
The big picture | Global macroeconomic and tactical asset allocation outlook

Global growth is moderating but we still expect solid demand for at least the first half of 2019. We also expect core inflation to tick higher in developed countries. More
Key investment views | Traditional asset classes

Key positions remain unchanged from six months ago: positive on equities, cautious on developed world government bonds. We have a new exposure to local Chinese bonds. More
Key investment views | Multi-manager hedge funds

We are excited about the coming opportunities and dispersion that markets will offer to the hedge fund universe. More
China equities | An improved outlook

Despite a challenging 2018, recent policy developments could be a turning point for China’s stock markets and we believe the current environment presents investors with opportunities. More
Emerging markets equities | Still in a long term upcycle

After a number of headwinds in 2018 including a stronger US dollar, higher US funding rates and growing US/China trade tensions, we believe there are now large opportunities across sectors. More
European equities | Focusing on fundamentals

We believe the current economic environment presents investors with opportunities to find names with good risk/reward. More
Fixed income | The power of income

The beginning of the end of negative/ultra-low cash rates is likely to mean a greater focus on income as the major component of total return in fixed income going forward. We see opportunities in a number of areas. More
Emerging markets fixed income | Volatility presents opportunities

A number of the headwinds to emerging markets debt are expected to reduce in the coming months and therefore we have a constructive bias ahead of those improved dynamics. More
Single manager hedge funds | Valuable trades

The current M&A environment remains very supportive and is benefiting from cyclical and structural forces that are driving corporate management teams and boards to pursue opportunities. More
Alternatives remain resilient

With strong momentum in 2018, increasing amounts of inflows into alternative assets look set to continue amid the search for higher income. More
Systematic and index | Changing times

Climate change is one of the most significant and yet misunderstood risks that companies and financial organizations face today but how can investors find ways to adapt to challenges. More
Sustainable and impact investing | The significance of stewardship

Assessing a company’s approach to environmental, social and governance issues can help better inform our voting and investment decisions. More
Strategic asset allocation | A new SAA paradigm?

Should long-term institutional investors incorporate mega trends into their strategic asset allocation thinking? More