Average inflation targeting: what is it and what does it mean for investors? September 15, 2020 | City Talk Late-August saw the Federal Reserve (Fed) hold its keenly-watched annual Jackson Hole Economic Policy Symposium. Against a backdrop of the huge global uncertainty engendered by Covid-19, the focus on the conference was sharp. Central banks have implemented further substantial policy measures to limit the damage from the Covid-19 lockdown and maintain financial stability. Nonetheless, at [...]
Thinking about trading? 5 things you should know – How do you become a good trader? September 14, 2020 | Sponsored Entering the world of trading can at times seem daunting. Understanding the language, learning new technical skills, trusting yourself with your hard-earned money. The considerations one has to make to execute a trade put many off ever bothering. But with the right guidance, advice, and counsel, making that first trade needn’t be a shot in [...]
Biotech seeks to seize the moment September 11, 2020 | City Talk Biotech was outperforming the broader market before the pandemic hit – since then its relative performance has been stronger still. So proclaims a timely publication showcasing investment trends, performance and opportunities published last week by the UK BioIndustry Association (BIA), which seeks to ‘lift the lid’ on one what is naturally an R&D-heavy sector. Biotech [...]
Six reasons why automation is poised to accelerate September 11, 2020 | City Talk Automation has long been a feature of the manufacturing sector, as companies seek to improve productivity and make high quality goods to a specific standard. But we think the level of automation is set for a sharp increase as innovation sparks a new smart manufacturing revolution. In the short term, the Covid-19 pandemic has brought [...]
Italy’s Serie A clubs vote to review private equity bids September 9, 2020 Clubs in Italy’s Serie A football league have voted for an in-depth review of bids by private equity firms for a stake in a new vehicle that will handle broadcast rights. The clubs voted unanimously to carry out further reviews on two bids led by CVC and Bain Capital, which value a 10 per cent [...]
How does an asset manager like Schroders actively influence the companies it invests in? September 9, 2020 | City Talk Elly Irving, Schroders’ Head of Engagement, answers questions on why investors engage and how they influence firms’ practices. In the debate over whether investors can encourage a more sustainable recovery, the role of active ownership is key. There is a growing momentum behind ESG investing – investing which considers environmental, social and governance factors. [...]
Investors turn their back on UK equity funds due to Brexit jitters September 8, 2020 Resurgent Brexit fears combined with the economic impact of the pandemic has seen investors flee from UK equity funds in record numbers. UK equities suffered their worst three months for outflows between June and August, as investors flock to global equity funds in Europe and the US. Investors have been preoccupied with the coronavirus outbreak [...]
Top-performing investment teams: 10 ingredients to their secret sauce September 8, 2020 | City Talk What do top investment teams have in common? To answer this question, Focus Consulting Group (FCG) undertook research into the factors shared by high-performing investment teams. We developed a list of factors that contribute to fund performance, including: ‘Do you use quantitative filters?’ (to narrow your universe) and ‘Do you personally invest in your team’s [...]
Muppet money: Savers lose out on billions as they stash the cash September 8, 2020 UK savers could be wasting the opportunity to earn extra income on their savings as lockdown and recession fears push investors to save cash at a record pace. In the first six months of 2020, investors stashed away a record £77bn, meaning a staggering £1.5 trillion of cash is tucked away in savings accounts, according [...]
What could a Biden presidency mean for climate change investing? September 7, 2020 | City Talk Joe Biden in the White House, and potentially Democrats in control of the Senate too, could turbo-charge climate change as an investment theme. The US response to Covid-19 looks set to be the dominant election issue as we head towards the November polls. Myriad other issues also compete for voters’ attention, and climate change often [...]