Douglas Rivers, chief scientist at pollster YouGov, said data coming out of the current US presidential election confirms significant cultural and demographic shifts that are reshaping the political map. Rivers told the Fiduciary Investors Symposium that the once-popular “demographics is destiny” mantra predicting permanent centre-left majorities has lost meaning in the Trump era.
Pictet private debt head Andreas Klein says “mainstream” private credit investments have run their course as buyout activity decreases and global regulators up their oversight. Instead, investors should consider “micro-niches”, but he warns these emerging corners of the market come with hidden and unique risks.
Bridgewater has a house view that the world is moving into a period of macro-volatility and global conflict. But despite the myriad geopolitical and environmental risks facing investors investors’ unwillingness to break with the model portfolios of the past presents the greatest threat to institutional portfolios.
In his first public comments since being named chief investment officer of Australia’s sovereign wealth fund in August, Ben Samild has said fostering a team culture of “purpose and joy” is among his top priorities.
Escalating diplomatic “disillusionment” surrounding the US-China relationship has made investors think twice about exposure to the world’s second-largest economy. Geopolitics expert Stephen Kotkin said China may still be attractive to investors, if they understand the complexities of domestic Chinese politics – and ensure they are paid a hefty risk premium.
Bridgewater co-CIO Greg Jensen said government policy has steadily increased in influence over the economy and portfolio construction over the past 20 years and now outstrips the importance of private sector incentives. He says the pace of deglobalisation is a key trend for institutional investors to keep abreast of.
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