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This month’s Investment Perspectives features our Head of Asset Allocation and Market Insight, Matt Brennan, considering where to find the second-round beneficiaries of AI. Meanwhile, Mithesh Varsani, Head of Investment Solutions takes a closer look at OEICs and ETFs, and what advisers might want to consider when it comes to client options.

And, with the publication of our latest Responsible Investment & Stewardship report, we explore systems-level stewardship and what advisers should look for when assessing investment manager approaches.

We also feature our August market review as well as third-party contributions on market concentration, dynamics driving demand for silver, and an exploration of US microcaps.

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Global investment market review: August 2026
16 September 2026

During August 2026, the MSCI ACWI Index, a representative measure of global equities across developed and emerging markets, added 1.9%...

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OEICs versus ETFs
16 September 2026

ETFs have become one of the investment industry’s biggest growth stories. Low charges, defined index exposure and intraday dealing make...

A healthcare laboratory setting where a technician wearing a lab coat and protective gloves places sample tubes into an automated analysis machine. Additional laboratory equipment and another technician are visible in the background.

Second wave: Where does the next AI opportunity lie?
16 September 2026

The potential for AI to bring about a sea change in ways of living and working has led to soaring...

A close-up view of a participant contributing to a meeting or workshop discussion. The person is wearing glasses and speaking while gesturing with both hands, with other attendees seated nearby in the background.

Why stewardship needs to look beyond individual companies
16 September 2026

Responsible investment and stewardship is often associated with company engagement on environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues, such as encouraging...

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Think you're diversified? Look again
16 September 2026

As global markets become more concentrated, investors may need to look beneath fund labels to understand what is really driving...

A macro photograph shows a central processing unit (CPU) held above a motherboard socket during installation. Electronic components, circuit connections, and cooling hardware are visible, illuminated by blue and red lighting.

Are US Micro-Caps the market’s best kept secret?
16 September 2026

Even with a triple-digit positive return off the April 2025 low, many investors seem unaware of this target-rich, broad, and...

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Silver, AI and next-generation demand
16 September 2026

Ned Naylor-Leyland, Chris Mahoney and Joe Lunn discuss silver mine supply and demand dynamics, and the potential impact of the...

Contributors

photograph of Andrew Palen, Portfolio Manager, Royce Investment Partners
Andrew Palen
Portfolio Manager, Royce Investment Partners
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Photograph of Chris Mahoney, Investment Manager, Gold & Silver, Jupiter Asset Management
Chris Mahoney
Investment Manager, Gold & Silver, Jupiter Asset Management
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Photograph of Ella Davies, CFA, Multi-Asset Fund Manager, Schroders
Ella Davies
Multi-Asset Fund Manager, Schroders
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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 Jim Stoeffel, Portfolio Manager, Royce Investment Partners
Jim Stoeffel
Portfolio Manager, Royce Investment Partners
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Photograph of Joe Lunn, Investment Manager, Gold & Silver, Jupiter Asset Management
Joe Lunn
Investment Manager, Gold & Silver, Jupiter Asset Management
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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 Ned Naylor-Leyland, Investment Manager, Gold & Silver, Jupiter Asset Management
Ned Naylor-Leyland
Investment Manager, Gold & Silver, Jupiter Asset Management
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photograph of Shipra Gupta, Scottish Widows responsible investment expert.
Shipra Gupta
Responsible investment expert, Scottish Widows
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