SPILA funds - Fund articles

In just a few years, ESG investing has grown in prominence. How can investors capitalize on this trend? What is ESG? The use of environmental, social and governance factors to inform investment decisions.

In this paper, MFS dissect the issues surrounding the recent surge and volatility in oil prices.

The Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on savings and investments. To find out the extent of the impact on women’s finances in particular, we asked 4,000 women across 10 European countries to tell us about their current savings situation.

Real momentum is building in the environmental, social and governance space. Policymakers are raising the bar; corporates are responding to consumer trends; and the financial services industry is finding its voice. As progress accelerates, 2022 will be the year in which ESG aspirations meet implementation.

After a period of surprising outcomes for both equity and debt markets, both of which have reached record prices even after the global instability caused by COVID-19, what does 2022 hold? Jim Leaviss, CIO, Public Fixed Income, Fabiana Fedeli, CIO, Equities & Multi Asset, and Maria Municchi , multi asset Fund Manager, discussed how these issues are likely to affect their respective asset classes in their Outlook for 2022.

Matthews Asia CIO Robert Horrocks, PhD, discusses the reflation of economies, inflation and deflation as a long-term trend and how these might influence different geographies and different sectors.

While supply chain disruptions, labour shortages and rising energy costs persist, October saw equities around the world put in strong performances overall.

We can thank our grandparents for their advice on understanding how to save, budget & invest. Although society has changed, the simple rules of money haven’t.

Investment Marketing Analyst Jon Lockyer, looks to dispel the notion that Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) investing is a passing trend.

This month's infographic looks at pent-up consumer demand in the US, the different regional effects of climate change, and the predicament of emerging market energy exporters.

Invesco's investment teams from around the globe provide an update to their 2021 outlook published in Dec 2020.

A narrow focus on money is unsustainable. Too often finance has been isolated from sustainability and social and environmental concerns, placing the needs of the present above those of future generations. Henry Boucher, Chairman of the Sarasin & Partners Investment Strategy Group, explains in the Raconteur Sustainable Investment report recently published in The Sunday Times.

A new investment order - the Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated profound shifts in how economies and societies operate across four dimensions: sustainability, inequality, geopolitics and the joint macro policy revolution. BlackRock Investments team believes this calls for a fundamental rethink of investment portfolios.

Invesco’s investment teams from around the globe outline their expectations for 2021 to help investors plan for the coming year, wherever the markets take them.

The first nine months of 2020 contained the first broad-based market crash, and recovery, of the sustainable investing era, and provided fertile ground for research into the relationship between sustainability and performance. Fidelity International re-tested their sustainability ratings and carried out a research update to take in the market recovery from April 2020 onwards.

Investment professionals at BlackRock Investment Institute give their market views after Biden’s win in the U.S. election.

The transition to a low-carbon global economy is driving growth and investment opportunities, but measuring carbon impact is key. Read the latest Q&A with the strategy’s portfolio managers.

Review of global market developments in September 2020, highlighting the best and worst performing sectors globally.

An RL360 survey has shown an upward trend in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) investing among savers in the last 12 months.

The recent controversy over the working conditions at UK clothing brand Boohoo has brought the practices of fast fashion back into the spotlight. As clothing makers churn out affordable designs at an ever-faster pace, the environmental and social costs of the fast-fashion industry are becoming clearer to both consumers and investors - and having an impact on valuations. European equities manager, Matthew Siddle looks at how investors can navigate these issues and discusses the importance of constructively engaging with the industry.

The assumption that shareholder returns should be maximised at any cost has been challenged by Covid-19, further embedding sustainable investing as a future destination for asset flows. Head of Equities - Asia and Lead Cross-Asset Strategist of Schroders explore the drivers behind this transformation and their consequences for investors.

Schroder’s Investment Director David Docherty explains what thematic investing is and the growing appeal of this type of investing.

Keep up to date with Coronavirus updates and insights from investment professionals at Aberdeen Standard Investments as they monitor the impact the pandemic is having on the global markets.

Markets are going through major turmoil as the world experiences the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, but this is not the first time we have experienced such heightened volatility. Fidelity have provided a series of aids and interactive tools to help you understand why the long-term approach can help you in managing your clients’ investments.

Recent market moves are reminiscent of the 2008 financial crisis, but we don’t think this is a repeat. Read our thoughts in our Market Plunge bulletin.

Review of global market developments in February 2020, highlighting the best and worst performing sectors globally.

Stagnation is often touted as the metaphorical death knell for an economy. Julian Howard, head of multi asset solutions at GAM, suggests that there are ways to avoid the pitfalls of a slowing economy.

Review of global market developments in January 2020, highlighting the best and worst performing sectors globally.

Matthews Asia CIO Robert Horrocks and Investment Strategist Andy Rothman offer their perspectives on the Coronavirus and its possible impact on China's governance and economy.

A look ahead to 2020 - central banks and geopolitics to shape global economy.

In this issue of Sinology Andy Rothman, Investment Strategist, shares his views on the U.S.– China trade deal announced on Friday, 13 December and what does it mean for investors?

Following the unexpectedly strong election victory for Boris Johnson and the Conservative Party, some of the GAM Investment portfolio managers offer their views on how this is likely to impact markets.

Review of global market developments in November 2019, highlighting the best and worst performing sectors globally.

Economic indicators suggest a global recession is unlikely, and any resolution of the China-US trade war could provide further relief, says GAM Investments’ Charles Hepworth. However he believes the UK could be moving closer to recession territory.

Veganism takes a bite out of traditional food consumption. Jeneiv Shah, co-portfolio manager for Sarasin Food & Agriculture Opportunities, discusses how investors have an important part to play in this transformation.

Review of global market developments in October 2019, highlighting the best and worst performing sectors globally.

Asia is no longer a place where everything is produced but nothing is invented, Asia is riding a wave of homegrown innovation with long-term investment implications.

Review of global market developments in September 2019, highlighting the best and worst performing sectors globally.

Schroders Global Investor Study – Investor behaviour: do people have control of their personal finances?

Review of global market developments in August 2019, highlighting the best and worst performing sectors globally.

Sarasin economist, Niloofar Rafiei, examines how important is trade to China’s economic trajectory, and secondly, what will the future of China’s trade look like as it navigates the probable persistence in slower global trade.

Review of global market developments in July 2019, highlighting the best and worst performing sectors globally.

At the start of 2019, Janus Henderson’s investment teams identified core themes, or mega trends, considered likely to impact markets. Here, they revisit the themes with the potential to reshape the investment landscape. How have the themes played out so far this year, where do they go from here and what else should be on investors’ radar?

U.S. – China trade concerns continue to weigh on global markets. Matthews Asia offers its perspective on how the dispute affects the long-term investment landscape.

Matthews Asia Portfolio Managers Teresa Kong and Satya Patel discuss the appeal of Asia corporate bonds for bond investors seeking global diversification.

Sarasin Deputy fund manager Jeneiv Shah explores how the food economy is evolving, and how they reflect that in their food and agriculture fund.

Review of global market developments in December 2018, highlighting the best and worst performing sectors globally.

Countries that have current account deficits are required to attract foreign capital to ‘plug the hole’. Alex Duffy assesses the real impact that the proposed US trade tariffs will have on China’s current account and what this will mean for the Chinese economy.

The Janus Henderson Global Snapshot explores the themes driving markets, the trends to watch, market returns and metrics, and the Multi-Asset Team’s outlook for regions and sectors at last quarter end.

Review of global market developments in January 2018, highlighting the best and worst performing sectors globally.

Fidelity International surveyed more than 240 professional investors to gain a fresh understanding of how they view the current investment landscape and how likely this is to influence their investment recommendations in 2018.

John Greenwood, Invesco Ltd’s Chief Economist, outlines his views on developments in global economies.