Could decarbonisation be the mega-trend of the next decade? September 28, 2020 | City Talk US equities have led global stock markets higher over the past decade. In the last ten years, US equities have returned a stellar 292%, compared to just 73% for global equities (as measured by the MSCI USA Index and MSCI AC World ex US Index respectively, in US dollar terms, as at 31 August 2020). [...]
The “homebody economy” – investing in your digital back yard September 23, 2020 | City Talk It is clear that UK shares are unloved. No likes, no shares, no new friend requests. The level of gloom surrounding this market is remarkable even amongst UK based investors, who, you might think, should feel more comfortable investing here. This is not just pandemic queasiness. Although the UK economy is service-led to some extent, [...]
Big Tech’s market might in five charts September 21, 2020 | City Talk The largest US technology stocks – Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Facebook and Google (Alphabet) – known as the “FAMAGs”, tumbled sharply at the beginning of this month, after supercharging the US stock market from the depths of the Covid-pandemic in March. These “superstar” firms have largely benefitted from the economic fallout of the crisis, as more people [...]
How Covid changed cyber crime September 18, 2020 | City Talk It might not be surprising that cyber criminals have taken advantage of coronavirus and the rush to remote working. The age of cyber warfare was upon us even before the crisis. New research suggests online fraudsters are boosting their attacks at an alarming pace, and it’s thought multimillion dollar ransoms could be at stake. Interpol, [...]
What anti-obesity measures and the National Food Strategy mean for businesses September 17, 2020 | City Talk A number of studies suggest that people who are overweight or obese are at greater risk of serious illness, even death, as a result of Covid-19. In response, the UK government has set forth a raft of measures aimed at curbing obesity. The National Food Strategy’s first recommendations have also been submitted to government. Both target [...]
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 [...]
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. [...]
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 [...]
Investors crave knowledge – but where do they find it? September 4, 2020 | City Talk A majority of investors want enough knowledge to make their own decisions – or to challenge the decisions made by their financial adviser. But they differ on where they look for this information. An overwhelming 97% of investors want some level of personal finance knowledge, according to the latest issue of Schroders’ Global Investor Study, [...]
Climate Progress Dashboard forecasts global warming of 3.9°C despite Covid-19 crisis September 2, 2020 | City Talk The latest update to our Climate Progress Dashboard suggests the current pace of change will result in temperatures rising by 3.9°C above pre-industrial levels. Global temperatures are on course to rise by 3.9°C, almost twice the Paris Agreement target, according to our analysis of indicators from the second quarter of the year. Huge reductions in [...]