Sharing our convictions

Child labor and imposing unnecessary medical procedures on women were recently identified in the sugar industry in India. While multinationals such as Pepsi and Coca-Cola are not directly linked to poor labor conditions, they can affect change. As active investors, we engage with our portfolio companies on these important issues.

What does the environment look like for Credit in 2024? And what are the fundamentals for emerging-market corporates this year? Wouter Van Overfelt and Mondher Bettaieb-Loriot discuss some of the hot topics for fixed income in emerging markets and developed markets, respectively.

Are stock markets poised for a good year in 2024? Jean-Louis Nakamura, head of the Convictions Equities Boutique takes a comprehensive look at the various factors that indicate it may well be.

January is on track to be a standout month for EM debt issuance. Our Fixed Income boutique’s Sergey Goncharov reviews which sovereigns and corporates are issuing EM debt and takes the pulse of the current environment that they’re operating in.

Many overlook ESG criteria in the Emerging Markets sector, but this is missing a key opportunity it can offer: by reducing volatility, its application may make EM debt more attractive to those interested in the space but avoid it nonetheless due to political and other risks.

We’ve likely reached peak interest rates as disinflation paves the way for an economic slowdown. The 2024 outlook from our Fixed Income Boutique explains why.

After two years of grappling with an ailing property market that has weighed on growth in the world’s second-largest economy, China’s government has pledged stronger fiscal measures and signaled more flexible monetary policy. Will they move the needle?

Luc D’hooge and Wouter Van Overfelt review the developments of the Emerging Markets Debt and Emerging Markets Corporate Bond strategies they manage.

China’s last few years have presented new economic challenges, and Beijing has completely rewritten its policy priorities and playbook. But looking ahead, this does not mean Chinese investment won’t be rewarded in the future; rather that policy-compliance should be a criterion considered by investors.

After a multi-decade era of significant economic growth, China is now the second largest global economy and dominant in the MSCI emerging market index. How should emerging market equities investors balance this with the potential implications of recent economic and political moves out of Beijing and shifting demographic patterns?

Luc D’hooge and Wouter Van Overfelt review the developments of the Vontobel Fund – Emerging Markets Debt and Vontobel Fund – Emerging Markets Corporate Bond and share their forecast for the remainder of 2023.

After a tumultuous decade, the stars may be set to favor emerging market local currency bonds again. Portfolio manager Carl Vermassen says there are good reasons to believe their outperformance so far this year isn’t just a one-off lucky shot.

Investors can look back at having had to navigate a difficult first half of the year. Emerging-market equities, though posting positive returns, trailed their developed-market counterparts. Could things turn around in the remainder of the year, leading to an outperformance of EM stocks?

Last year's bond market disappointments now seem far behind us and investors tell us they are once again bullish on fixed income.

Is China’s property market on the mend? Are there any more humps in the road before it turns the corner? Our emerging markets credit specialists Cosmo Zhang and Wouter van Overfelt explain how contrarian investors who may have missed the strong rebound in December can now spot potential opportunities for generating alpha.

Wouter Van Overfelt, Head of Emerging Market Corporates and Luc D’hooge, Head of Emerging Markets Bonds, provide a review on the developments in the first quarter, the current positioning of the strategies as well as an outlook for the remainder of 2023.

When comparing the earnings trajectory of emerging markets corporates with that of their developed-market counterparts, many investors consider this a lost decade. Are emerging market stocks now set to bounce back?

What’s behind the demands for unions globally? When are higher wages a threat to the bottom line? And which companies are best placed to manage the risk? In his back-to-basics blog on organized labor, Sudhir Roc-Sennett answers these critical questions for investors.

Luc D’hooge, Head of Emerging Markets Bonds and Wouter Van Overfelt, Head of Emerging Market Corporates, provide a review on the developments in 2022, the current positioning of the strategies as well as an outlook for 2023.

2022 was a stormy year for bonds. As 2023 gets under way, our Fixed Income Boutique heads predict whether bonds are set for a smooth touchdown or a bumpy landing amid the continuing headwinds in the global economy.

As China readies for the Year of the Rabbit, there are several causes for celebration, says Fixed Income Boutique Credit Analyst Cosmo Zhang. Economic recovery could come earlier and stronger than expected in the first quarter of 2023, as mobility and supply chains return to normal despite a Covid surge.

Is it now the time to invest in emerging markets fixed income? As 2023 progresses, there are strong arguments for this asset class. We also believe risk concerns remain manageable. Waiting on the sidelines was perhaps the smartest thing to do in 2022, but may not be the best strategy next year.

The Politburo, the top decision-making body of the Chinese Communist Party, announced last week a document focusing on the country’s economic growth in 2023. Meanwhile, the Chinese government also started to exit its zero-Covid-policy, much sooner than anticipated. These intentions signal an earlier-than-expected recovery of the Chinese economy.

Structural themes underlie opportunities in the year ahead. Our Quality Growth portfolio managers expect stock performance will be more closely tied to earnings growth, the US consumer will remain healthy, select emerging markets are poised for continued growth, and certain Chinese stocks will benefit from a reopening.