Sharing our convictions

Portfolio Manager David Souccar identifies three types of quality companies: Leaders have a rare combination of high returns and high predictability, Defenders grow slower but can protect in down markets, and Opportunity seekers can profit in uncertainty but are less predictable. Like a high-performing team, a successful quality portfolio has the optimal combination of all types of players.

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?

The direction of monetary policy rates going forward is more clear, following the Federal Reserve's release of its new summary of economic projections and the dovish remarks of Jerome Powell.

As the landscape shifts, investors may now be exposed to risks that were previously disguised by a prolonged era of accommodative monetary policy. Today, it pays to be wary. A focus on quality can protect in a downturn and provide a smoother ride through the cycle.

After a horrible year for financial markets in 2022, the macro-outlook for 2023 had a lot of consensus views, with most predicting a much better year ahead, helped by supportive rate cuts from central banks and positive returns from both government bonds and credit.  

Legendary investor Charlie Munger, who recently passed away, followed a simple philosophy of “soldiering on” – persevering through challenging times while also knowing when to seize opportunities. Munger’s wisdom guides us as we manage key risks and seek to find opportunities in 2024.

For the world to meet net-zero targets, massive energy transition capital is required. Governments can’t fund this alone. Asset allocators have a role to play and impact investing will be key.

Nature is our source. Challenges to natural capital are prompting the world to rethink its relationship with nature and the value we place on it. This article provides a bird-eye view of why investors should care about the semantics and monetization and regulation of nature.

A healthy and robust economy and society depends on healthy biodiversity. But rapid development has resulted in the dramatic degradation of our ecosystems, which can impede further economic progress while posing an existential threat. How can we better value nature to turn this trend around?

Asking the right question is a skill in itself. Read the FAQ seasoned investors ask our impact investing experts.

Recent advances in generative artificial intelligence have propelled some stocks in the tech space to nosebleed valuations. By failing to distinguish the level of certainty around the long-term benefits of AI, markets have disproportionally rewarded some companies. Is this playing out in a logical way? Or is the market missing something crucial?

Change rests in our hands. Impact investing is gaining in popularity as investors look for increasing sustainability in all areas of life. We share three reasons that institutional and professional investors told us keep them turning to impact.

George Curtis breaks down the latest developments following this week’s Quarterly Refunding Announcement and the Treasury Borrowing Advisory Committee update.

While bonds are once again finding their feet, investors have found themselves sitting on cash balances of 30% to 50%. This capital preservation trade has made perfect sense, but does it still make sense as we reach terminal rates?

Consensus expectations are that we could be nearing the end of the rate-hiking cycle. What does this mean for fixed income investors and Global Investment Grade in particular, and how do these typically change at the inflection of rate cycles?

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

Don’t fall prey to the myths surrounding impact investing.

Fixed income investors have gone through a stressful few weeks. Since the beginning of September, government bond yields have moved sharply higher, causing spreads to widen and returns to worsen across the board. 

As our society is increasingly contending with the challenges of climate change, social unrest, and other macro issues, what is the role of private equity in addressing these challenges? Read the latest by our Head of Investments Christel Rendu de Lint in her latest piece for the FT’s Moral money series.

It is our view that without a doubt 2022 was a year to forget for the bond market. Whether you held government bonds, high end corporate credit or riskier high yield paper, you would have taken a knock as steep increases in interest rates across the globe sent bond prices tumbling. 

After what can only be described as a relatively dire year for fixed income in 2022, during which spiralling inflation led to one of the most aggressive rate hiking cycles on record, we believe the market for bonds is now looking much healthier.

The wave of alarming headlines can sometimes seem to dwarf the social challenges the world faces. But Impact investing addresses a wide array of important issues that may be a bit more difficult to grasp. The latest Impact Report for Vontobel’s Global Impact Equities strategy provides case studies to highlight the steps towards positive change.

The environmental crisis is undeniable, and the world needs an urgent plan. Investment firms have an important role to play. In the latest Impact Report for Vontobel’s Global Environmental Change strategy, the Impact Investing team assesses how its holdings have helped mitigate sustainability challenges, but also delves a bit deeper: find an overview of the sustainable-finance landscape and an in-depth examination of the regulatory environment into selected key developments.