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In Investment perspectives this month, Mithesh Varsani, Head of Investment Solutions looks at the importance of understanding sequencing risk and longevity risk in decumulation strategies and how managing these can help advisers deliver a balance between growth and income sustainability.

We also consider how infrastructure can contribute to diversified multi-asset portfolios and look at the key trade-offs advisers need to weigh up. Meanwhile Matt Brennan, Head of Asset Allocation, discusses market concentration and the opportunities and risks it can bring.

We also feature our July market review plus third-party contributions on multi-asset investing, the need to look beyond AI, and the costs of waiting to invest.

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Global investment market review: July 2026
20 August 2026

During July 2026, the MSCI ACWI Index, a representative measure of global equities across developed and emerging markets, declined 1.3%....

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Sequencing risk and longevity risk
20 August 2026

For many clients, retirement is no longer a brief period after work. It can be a multi-decade phase of life,...

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Infrastructure in multi-asset portfolios
20 August 2026

Over the past decade, advisers have increasingly broadened their investment toolkit beyond traditional equities and bonds.

A clean, brightly lit data centre featuring multiple rows of server cabinets on either side of a wide corridor. The racks contain networking and computing equipment with blue status lights, extending into the distance.

Market concentration: What does it mean for equity markets?
20 August 2026

Market concentration is one of the key characteristics of today’s equity markets. In the US, the ten largest companies account...

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Why the 60/40 debate misses the bigger picture
20 August 2026

Recent market volatility and shifting asset class correlations have prompted a familiar question: can the traditional 60/40 equity–bond portfolio still...

A street sign for Wall Street is displayed prominently at the intersection with Broad Street in a financial district. Surrounding office buildings rise on either side, while an American flag appears out of focus in the background.

The cost of waiting for certainty
20 August 2026

Why investors may be better served by deliberate diversification and flexibility than waiting for certainty in today’s unsettled markets.

A futuristic digital illustration featuring blue, green, purple, and pink cube-like blocks arranged inside transparent geometric containers. Lines of computer code are overlaid across the structures, creating a visual representation of data processing, artificial intelligence, or software development.

There’s more to growth than AI
20 August 2026

For many of the past several years, investor enthusiasm has been concentrated in a narrow group of AI-related and technology...

Contributors

Photograph of Heather Coulson, Head of Portfolio Management and Implementation at Scottish Widows.
Heather Coulson
Head of Portfolio Management and Implementation, Scottish Widows
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photograph of Katie Trowsdale Head of Public Market Solutions at Aberdeen Investments
Katie Trowsdale
Head of Public Market Solutions, Aberdeen Investments
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Matt Brennan
Head of Asset Allocation & Research, Scottish Widows
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photo of Mithesh Varsani Head of Investment Solutions at Scottish Widows
Mithesh Varsani
Head of Investment Solutions, Scottish Widows
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photograph of Philip Chandler, Head of UK Multi-Asset and CIO of Schroder Investment Solutions
Philip Chandler
Head of UK Multi-Asset and CIO, Schroder Investment Solutions
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Richard Bernstein
Global Head of Macro & Customized Investing, Janus Henderson Investors
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