This edition of Investment Perspectives fresh from attending COP30, our Head of Responsible Investment, Eva Cairns, shares her thoughts from the global climate conference, and considers what it might mean for investors.
We explore the shifting fortunes of Europe. We ask what factors have driven the renaissance of Southern Europe, and the struggles facing many Northern European economies, once considered the bastion of economic strength?
And Matt Brennan, Head of Asset Allocation, compares the performance of India and China in recent years and what investors can take from that.
In addition, we feature our October market review and third-party contributions on AI, consumer behaviour trends, and social media impact.
Discover how global markets performed in October 2025. This review covers key data across equities...
Discover key insights on India’s rapid rise—4th largest economy, 6.4% projected growth, expanding markets and...
Explore whether economic tides are turning in Europe as growth slows, inflation eases, and monetary...
Fresh from attending COP30 in Belém, Brazil, our Head of Responsible Investment, Eva Cairns, shares...
Discover how Pop Mart’s Labubu collectible toys became a global phenomenon, reflecting China’s cultural commerce,...
Explore how social media-driven meme trading is reshaping markets and challenging traditional valuation. Learn why...
Explore how generative AI is transforming search, reducing click-through rates, and challenging traditional web models....
This edition of Investment Perspectives sees us look ahead to COP30. Just before Eva Cairns, our Head of Responsible Investment, travels out to Brazil, she’s highlighted her hopes for the global climate conference and why it’s so important for investors.
We explore the strengths and limitations of passive funds, as well as how smart beta strategies are expanding the passive toolkit to help advisers meet specific client goals. And Matt Brennan, Head of Asset Allocation, considers whether the position of the US dollar as the global currency of choice can continue and what any change could mean for the country’s equities.
We also feature our Q3 market review and a look ahead to Q4, as well as timely articles on inheritance tax, AI, and a country focus on Germany from this month’s third-party contributors.
Explore Q4 2025 global market trends, from equities and bonds to emerging markets. Learn what’s...
COP30 marks a decade since the Paris Agreement. Key themes: stronger climate targets, scaling finance,...
Discover how smart beta strategies blend passive and active investing to optimise portfolios. Learn the...
The US dollar remains dominant as the primary global reserve and trade currency, underpinning financial...
Explore the impact of physical AI on autonomous vehicles, smart factories and global markets, and...
Major IHT reforms will affect pensions, agricultural property and business relief. Learn what’s changing and...
In this edition of Investment Perspectives, we take a wide-angle view of the forces shaping global markets and long-term investment strategy. From August’s market performance to the evolving role of capital market assumptions, the collection offers timely insights for navigating volatility and maintaining focus on long-term goals. We also explore how forward-looking climate metrics are being embedded into investment strategy, reinforcing the importance of sustainability in portfolio construction.
Beyond the macro lens, we spotlight key regional developments - from India’s rapid economic ascent to Europe’s blueprint for post-war Ukraine—and reassess the changing risk landscape in emerging market debt. Whether you're interested in global trends, climate alignment, or strategic asset allocation, this edition brings together perspectives designed to inform and inspire confident decision-making.
Discover how global markets performed in August 2025. This review covers key data across equities,...
Capital market assumptions help investors stay focused on long-term strategy, offering stability and insight amid...
Scottish Widows adopts forward-looking climate metrics to align investments with net zero goals, enhancing portfolio...
India is now the world’s 4th-largest economy, growing at 6.4% annually. Strong markets, manufacturing growth,...
Transitioning from saving to spending requires careful planning for your clients. Avoid pitfalls like pound-cost...
Is momentum the key to successful income investing? Multi Asset Fund Manager David Jane questions...
Transitioning from saving to spending requires careful planning for your clients. Avoid pitfalls like pound-cost...
In this edition, we explore a range of timely investment themes - from market movements and inflation hedging strategies to stewardship, societal shifts, and the evolving risks facing retirees - offering fresh perspectives to help navigate today’s financial landscape.
In July 2025, the MSCI All Country World Index, a representative measure of global equities,...
Women are becoming an ever-increasing force to be reckoned with when it comes to controlling...
In the UK, we’ve had a step up in inflation in recent months and there...
As a proud signatory of the UK Stewardship Code, we recently published our 2024 Responsible Investment...
The prevailing narrative in the so-called ‘ageing crisis’ has been one linked to overburdened pension...
One of the precious few joys of perusing European Commission documents lies in the challenge...
Transitioning from saving to spending requires careful planning for your clients. Avoid pitfalls like pound-cost...
In this edition, we examine global market performance and outlooks, unpack key systemic risks, and explore how investor strategies are evolving in response to geopolitical tensions, policy shifts, and the growing importance of social frameworks like decent work.
In the second quarter of 2025, the MSCI All Country World Index, a representative measure...
Despite equity market weakness following news of wide-ranging US trade tariffs in April, subsequent delays...
Systemic risks can have wide-ranging impacts across markets and economies. Their interactions can spark a...
Scott Bessent, US Treasury Secretary and former hedge fund manager, has touted a “3-3-3” plan...
The United Nations unveiled its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015. These included SDG...
Israel’s attack on Iran’s nuclear programme and military leadership on Friday 13 June marked a...
Traditional investment strategies can fall short in navigating the complexities and volatility of today’s financial...
This edition explores key developments shaping global investment thinking - from May’s market movements and the evolving AI landscape to China’s contrasting economic narratives and the resilience of infrastructure amid equity volatility.
In May 2025, the MSCI All Country World Index, a representative measure of global equities,...
AI is fast becoming an essential part of our daily lives and often in surprising...
Investing in China has been challenging in recent years. If you open any major Western...
ClearBridge Investments: Despite recent strong performance for listed infrastructure versus equities, infrastructure valuations are still...
A Multi-Asset special of Investment Perspectives. In this special edition, we take a closer look at multi-asset investing – exploring our asset allocation philosophy, the distinctions between multi-asset funds and model portfolios, and how diversification continues to offer resilience in today’s uncertain markets.
Learn how Scottish Widows’ Asset Allocation Team builds resilient, customer-focused portfolios using data-driven insights, diversification,...
‘Active versus passive’ and ‘growth versus value’ are common debates within the investment industry. However,...
In a world where headlines can now shift markets overnight, we are reminded of the...
In this edition, we review Q1 market performance and look ahead to Q2 trends, while exploring inflation’s impact on central bank policy, shifting global value opportunities, and the growing relevance of systemic risks in shaping investor decisions.
Global markets saw mixed performance in April 2025 amid trade tensions, with Japan and Europe...
China’s economy rebounds with stimulus and trade easing, yet property concerns and tariff uncertainty mean...
Despite recent challenges, emerging markets offer strong long-term growth, favourable demographics, and diversification potential for...
Government debt is rising globally. What does it mean for investors, and how can sovereign...
In this edition, we review Q1 market performance and look ahead to Q2 trends, while exploring inflation’s impact on central bank policy, shifting global value opportunities, and the growing relevance of systemic risks in shaping investor decisions.
Discover how global markets performed in Q1 2025. This review covers key trends across equities,...
Our Q2 2025 outlook covers global market trends, investment risks, and opportunities across equities, bonds,...
Inflation has moved back into the spotlight following the wide-ranging trade tariffs from Donald Trump’s...
In recent years, US equities have consistently outperformed other markets, fostering the notion of American...
