With strong US growth and sticky inflation, why is Jay Powell still in patient mode on the interest rate front? What’s behind the near 20% rally in the Hang Seng index since the start of the year? And why the fall in the price of Brent crude oil? Ben Bennett, Investment Strategist APAC explains all. This podcast is hosted by Frances Watson, Senior Content Manager. All data is sourced from Eikon, as at 01 May 2024, unless otherwise stated. For professional investors only. Capital at risk.

To coincide with the launch of LGIM’s 13th annual Active Ownership report, we discuss the depth and breadth of our work in 2023 on the issues of nature, biodiversity and artificial intelligence, while also discussing what’s front of mind for 2024. The panellists are: Michael Marks, Head of Investment Stewardship and Responsible Investment Integration Madeleine King, Head of Research and Engagement for Investments Shuen Chan, Head of Responsible Investment & Sustainability, LGIM Real...

Advances in technology, population change, decarbonisation and geopolitical pressures are both catalysing new industries and rendering some assets obsolete. To make sense of these rapid changes, the LGIM Real Assets Research Team has defined four megatrends they expect to drive private investment performance and capital allocations for the remainder of the decade and beyond. In this broad-ranging discussion, Global Head of Investment Strategy and Research for LGIM Real Assets Rob Martin and...

How do investors price in geopolitical tensions? And with fewer than two US interest rate cuts now priced into markets, is there any stopping the rise of the US dollar? Against the prevailing market backdrop, what is our take on equities, credit and sovereign bonds? Ben Bennett, Investment Strategist APAC, explains all. This episode was recorded on 17 April 2024. All data sourced from Eikon, Bloomberg as at 16 April 2024. For professional investors only. Capital at risk. 

In our first official CIO call of 2024, we weigh how the macro, political and geopolitical outlook might affect the already-impressive rally notched up by many risk assets thus far this year. During the episode, Sonja Laud, LGIM’s Chief Investment Officer, is joined by Emiel van den Heiligenberg, Head of Asset Allocation, and Tim Drayson, Head of Economics. The panel also discuss:   The narrow “Goldilocks” scenario that markets are currently pricing How the US Federal Reserve might respond...

With a wave of new regulation and an ever-increasing range of investment products and solutions from which to choose, the job of wealth managers and financial advisers has not been easy. In this special episode, our panel provides the answers to the questions that are front of mind for financial advisers; namely where do they sit in terms of active versus passive investing, model portfolios or multi-asset investing? Traditional versus alternative assets? And what are the key emerging trends...

As we head towards the end of the first quarter, Ben Bennett, Investment Strategist APAC, examines the reasons behind equity and credit strength despite sovereign bond yields remaining relatively high. He also explains why, despite the Bank of Japan raising interest rates for the first time since 2007, the yen failed to strengthen.   This podcast is hosted by Frances Watson, Content Manager. For professional investors only. Capital at risk.

In light of a solid macroeconomic backdrop for emerging markets, and a benign currency outlook, why is investor positioning for emerging market debt still light? And what could be the catalyst for renewed interest in the asset class? Join Uday Patnaik, Head of Emerging Market Debt, and Erik Leuth, Global Emerging Market Economist, as they explore these topics and comment on the raft of upcoming elections in both Latin America and Asia. This podcast is hosted by Frances Watson, Content...

We all know about the gender pensions gap, but what about the risks to women’s retirement prospects after a divorce? In this International Women’s Day special, Olasumbo Biobaku-Mason, Member Proposition Director at LGIM, speaks to Uche Enemchukwu, ED&I champion and CEO at Nelu Diversified Consulting Solutions, a global company creating meaningful benefits and wellness programs rooted in diversity, equity & inclusion (DE&I) about pension barriers women may face at the end of a...

PCE, CPI and PPI – all forms of measuring inflation and all likely to shape current thinking by the US Federal Reserve and, by implication, other central banks. So, what if June interest rate cuts are pushed out? And how might that affect US investment-grade credit and, ultimately, equities? In alternatives, what’s behind the heady rise in Bitcoin? Ben Bennett, Investment Strategist, APAC, explains all. All data from Eikon as at 05 March 2024 unless otherwise stated. This podcast was hosted...

Given a slew of decent corporate results, is the US economy running too hot? Why are investors shrugging their shoulders over the most recent bout of China stimulus? And what country excels not only at cricket but is also adept at producing strong growth? Ben Bennett, Investment Strategist, APAC explains all. This podcast is hosted by Frances Watson, Content Manager and was recorded before the release of the Nvidia results. All data sourced from Eikon as at 20 February 2024. For...

In the first of our new series of active fixed income podcasts, we talk to Mat Rees, Head of Global Bond Strategies, about the macro events shaping fixed income, deflation in China and European growth divergence. Mat also outlines the importance of bottom-up research in light of the current environment where technical, not fundamental factors, prevail. This podcast is hosted by Frances Watson, Content Manager and was recorded shortly after the release of the US CPI print. Source for...

What are broad commodities? Why might an investor want to gain exposure to them as part of a diversified portfolio? And how does the use of futures contracts influence potential returns?  Michael Stewart, LGIM’s Head of Pooled Index Strategy, offers a straightforward introduction to the much misunderstood ‘third asset class’.  This podcast is hosted by Harry Brooks, Content Manager.  All data is sourced from Eikon as at 5 February 2024 unless otherwise stated.  For professional investors...

With many countries about to celebrate the Year of the Dragon, Ben Bennett explains why animal spirits have yet to ignite China’s stock market. He also examines the extent of the stimulus measures taken thus far, and gives his thoughts about why this year could be a favourable one in relation to China’s dwindling population. He also gives his usual take on US and UK central bank actions, and explains why the European Central Bank is under pressure to cut rates sooner rather than later.  This...

In any company, the role of Chief of Staff is an integral part of its daily dealings, although the duties themselves can often be more supportive of others and behind the scenes. In this full and frank interview with LGIM Talks, Rhodri Mason describes how he brings together the many teams within LGIM. He also expands on his involvement with his favourite charity, and reveals how he manages to wind down at weekends. This podcast is hosted by Frances Watson, Content Manager. For professional...

In this podcast, Sonja Laud, LGIM’s CIO, is joined by Guy Whitby-Smith, Head ofSolutions, and John Roe, Head of Multi-Asset Funds, who share their insights and analysis, including key market trends for the coming year. In particular, the speakers discuss: The outlook for both the global and UK economies, including our assessment of potential paths for UK growth, rates and inflation The implications for UK schemes, in particular what this could mean for liability-driven investment...

After a dramatic 2023, what could 2024 hold for investors in real assets? And what are the key megatrends that will determine performance, both for this year and the rest of the decade? Rob Martin, LGIM’s Global Head of Investment Strategy and Research for Real Assets, and Lushan Sun, Private Credit Research Manager, break down how the Christmas market rally has changed the outlook for 2024 – and the four key themes they see as defining the winning portfolios of 2030. This podcast is...

In this first episode of Market Talk for 2024, Ben Bennett examines the extent to which bonds and equities rallied following December’s Fed pivot. He also explains why Chinese equities failed to participate in the rally, looks at the state of polling in Taiwan, and wonders if the global economy will face new supply chain challenges given the current disruption in the Suez Canal? This podcast is hosted by Frances Watson, Content Manager. All data is sourced from Eikon and Barclays from 31...

Bond investors have enjoyed a strong rally over the last two months. But, as we approach 2024, will the optimism for fixed income investments continue? Will 2024 be another year of heightened volatility for the bond investor? And what left-field market moving events could be in store? Join Colin Reedie, Head of Active Strategies, for his latest thoughts. This podcast is hosted by Frances Watson, Content Manager and was recorded the day after Jay Powell’s dovish pivot. All data sourced from...

In our last CIO call of 2023, we discuss what we’ve learnt from yet another extraordinary year for investors – and how we’re positioning into 2024. During the episode, Sonja Laud, LGIM’s CIO, is joined by Howie Li, Global Head of Index & ETFs; Will Riley, Head of Solutions; and Chris Jeffery, Head of Rates & Inflation Strategy. The speakers discuss: The most potent insights from our 2024 CIO outlook Where we see the biggest potential risks and opportunities for markets next...

In the last episode of Market Talk for the year, Ben Bennett looks at how fixed income might pan out in a recessionary macroeconomic environment. With US elections on the horizon, how might markets react to a change of president? And given its depressed performance in 2023, where next for China’s stock market in the year of the Wood Dragon? This episode is hosted by Frances Watson, Content Manager. All data is sourced from Eikon as at 04 December unless otherwise stated. For  professional...

Illiquid assets may be the talk of the DC town right now, but how can we use them to help maximise long-term returns for members, mitigate potential risks and align them with ESG considerations? And do DC pension members even want them included in their fund defaults? John Roe, LGIM’s Head of Multi-asset Funds, and Jesal Mistry, Head of DC Investment, explain. This podcast is moderated by Heather Forse, DC Content Manager.  For professional investors only. Capital at risk.

Although many schemes have seen their funding positions improve steadily in recent years and endgame is on the horizon, all defined benefit (DB) schemes still need to pay pensions as they fall due. In this light there’s continued focus on cashflow-driven investing (CDI) and also ‘barbell’ strategies. But what do these terms really mean? What’s the right balance between cashflow-driven and ‘barbell’ investment approaches? And should schemes’ strategies differ given low-dependency or buyout...

With the earth on track for its hottest year on record, and the COP28 summit due to open later in November, we’ve devoted this month’s CIO call to climate change. During the episode, Sonja Laud, LGIM’s Chief Investment Officer, is joined by Nick Stansbury, Head of Climate Solutions; and Stephen Beer, a senior manager within our Investment Stewardship team. The speakers discuss: What we expect from the global climate summit due to take place in the UAE What investors can do to bring...