'Perspectives' by Escala

In this episode of Perspectives, Escala Chief Investment Officer, Tracey McNaughton, explores the question: who will pay for the building of strategic capability? From sovereign balance sheets and bond markets to private capital and Australia's superannuation system, she examines how the "Price of Sovereignty" could reshape investing for years to come. (0:44) Can governments actually afford anothe...

In this episode of Perspectives, Escala Chief Investment Officer, Tracey McNaughton, explores why the world is shifting from efficiency to resilience. Drawing on insights from General David Petraeus, the discussion examines how nations are rebuilding strategic capability, why private capital is increasingly funding critical infrastructure, and what the rise of the Sovereignty Trade means for inves...

In this episode, Escala Investment Analyst, David Bruty interviews Paul Moore, founder and Chief Investment Officer of PM Capital. Paul discusses how he and his team implement their contrarian investment philosophy, how the PM Global Companies Fund is constructed, and how healthcare is an emerging theme in the fund's portfolio.

In this episode of Perspectives, Escala Chief Investment Officer, Tracey McNaughton, unpacks a series of eye-opening conversations with leading AI investors and operators exploring how AI-native companies are redesigning workflows, reshaping industries, and blurring the lines between software, services, and private equity. (1:34) What struck me reading through your notes wasn't just the excitement...

In this episode of Perspectives, Escala Chief Investment Officer, Tracey McNaughton, takes us inside the Milken Institute Global Conference 2026, from space-based AI breakthroughs to the massive infrastructure buildout powering the next wave of innovation. (1:09) Alright, you've been roaming the halls at Milken earlier this week. Before we get into that, tell us about how it feels on the ground in...

In this episode, Escala Head of Managed Funds, Stephen Dickinson, speaks with Richard Blackburn from CVC Capital Partners. Richard discusses CVC's origins and evolution into a leading global private equity firm, why Europe remains a particularly attractive market for private equity returns, and how CVC creates value through disciplined underwriting, active ownership and long-term value creation ac...

In this episode of Perspectives, Escala Chief Investment Officer, Tracey McNaughton, explains why today's geopolitical tensions signal a deeper structural shift – and what it means for markets, alliances, and investors. (1:08) Is the current state of the world only as permanent as Trump remains in office? In other words, is this just a phase, or are we actually living through something more struct...

In this episode of Perspectives, Escala Chief Investment Officer, Tracey McNaughton, explains how long-term investors are staying loose on the bars in response to the current oil shock. Plus, why managing today's risks is bringing back yesterday's solutions - from steering wheel locks to decades-old pipelines. (0:47) Tracey, there's a lot hitting markets at once. How do you keep your composure? (3...

In this episode of Perspectives, Escala Chief Investment Officer, Tracey McNaughton, talks about today's tensions in the Middle East, why geopolitical volatility is often shorter than feared and what it means for US-China relations. Plus, why credit investing demands ruthless diversification. (0:53) Let's start with the geopolitical shock. The United States and Israel have launched coordinated str...

In this episode of Perspectives, Escala Chief Investment Officer, Tracey McNaughton, talks about the release of Escala's The Agenda publication, what a shifting global order means for investors and how it is shaping the way Escala constructs portfolios. (0:52) This is the 7th edition now. Before we get into the details, remind us - what is  The Agenda ? Is this a tactical playbook for the next 12...

In this episode of Perspectives, Escala Chief Investment Officer, Tracey McNaughton, talks about what could be Googles' DeepSeek moment – the launch of Gemini 3. If it is everything that ChatGPT isn't, what does this do to the promises made by OpenAI? (1:03) Let's start this week with what I'm calling the Nvidia check your airbags moment because the last fortnight has been incredibly volatile in m...

In this episode, Escala Investment Analyst, David Bruty talks to Doug Tynan, Chief Investment Officer of GCQ Funds Management. Doug discusses GCQ's investment philosophy and the team's focus on quality industries and companies, how trade policy and the artificial intelligence theme is expressed in their current portfolio, and how Uber will prosper in a changing environment as robotaxis continue to...

In this episode of Perspectives, Escala Chief Investment Officer, Tracey McNaughton, talks about gold and how it has become a hedge against distrust. When money becomes too political to believe in, investors turn to what can't be printed. (1:35)   Let's start with AI. OpenAI's been in the headlines almost weekly - new partnerships, huge infrastructure deals, and some big numbers attached. But behi...

There are now more data centres being built in the US than office buildings. In this episode of Perspectives, Escala Chief Investment Officer, Tracey McNaughton, looks at the political implications of data centre demand for energy. (00:56) That's the first move in nine months but it was widely anticipated. It was called a "risk management" move. What's your take? (03:03) Stephen Miran, a Trump-ali...

In this episode, Escala Investment Analyst Holly Brenchley speaks with Roy Keenan, Co-Head of Fixed Income at Yarra Capital and Portfolio Manager of the Yarra Enhanced Income Fund, a core Australian credit strategy. Roy discusses the investment philosophy that underpins Yarra's approach, including its rigorous internal credit rating system, the importance of ESG and documentation analysis, as well...

In this episode, Escala Partners Investment Analyst David Bruty talks to Crispin Murray, Head of Equities at Pendal. Crispin talks to some of the key themes from August's reporting season in Australian equities, the heightened volatility that surrounded results and how this is providing opportunities for active managers such as Pendal, and the outlook for the year ahead.

In this episode of Perspectives, Escala Chief Investment Officer, Tracey McNaughton, shares an important lesson when riding a motorcycle that can be applied to China's FOMO driven equity rally. (00:51) We had a client lunch in Newcastle this week. One of the topics of conversation was not surprisingly, AI. But the question was more around – is AI an era or a regime shift? (03:47) Political unrest...

In this episode of Perspectives, Escala Chief Investment Officer, Tracey McNaughton, talks about the role private markets play in quietly innovating and why patient capital is so important. Public markets in contrast are getting noisier and more volatile. What is the role for both in a portfolio? (1:02) We have had some  good feedback on the podcast you did with Lane McDonald, the CIO at SCS Finan...

In this episode, Escala Chief Investment Officer, Tracey McNaughton, speaks with Lane MacDonald, Chief Investment Officer at SCS Financial a $40b US wealth manager and focus Financial Partner. Together, they discuss how the lines between public and private markets are blurring, prompting investors to rethink how they allocate capital, manage risk, and pursue returns between the two.

In this episode, Escala Investment Analyst Stephen Dickinson talks to Greg Hyland (Head of Capital Markets, Asia Pacific) and Hugh MacDonald (Head of Capital Advisors, Asia Pacific) from CBRE. Greg and Hugh discuss how CBRE currently view the macro landscape and the impacts on the commercial real estate sector, some of the underlying structural drivers in the sector and the outlook ahead.

In this episode of Perspectives, Escala Chief Investment Officer, Tracey McNaughton, shares what she is telling clients about the current level of u ncertainty particularly in relation to tariffs, taxes and changes in technology. (1:17) What are you saying to clients about this level of uncertainty? (3:56) So given that, are you less worried that the trade war and Trumps tariff policies will be th...

In this episode of Perspectives, Escala Chief Investment Officer, Tr acey McNaughton, talks about the importance of trust – between governments, institutions, clients and their advisers and of course the rider and her bike.  (1:18) So, Tracey, how do you define trust?   (1:59) Can you think of a single system—financial, political, or social— that functions without trust?   (2:35) Let's go back to...

In this episode of Perspectives, Escala Chief Investment Officer, Tracey McNaughton, considers the question are we past peak US exceptionalism? If so, where are the alternative safe havens for investors. (0:50) So, Tracey, you presented at a conference last week. Let's start with topic of your session: Have we seen peak U.S. exceptionalism?   (4:12) Just on the topic of ballooning government debt,...

In this episode of Perspectives, Escala Chief Investment Officer, Tracey McNaughton, presents from New York where she discusses her observations from being on the ground. Following meetings with portfolio managers, economists, political strategists and financial advisers across four US states she discusses how President Trump's trade war is being perceived. (0:52) Tracey, let's start with some obs...

In this episode of Perspectives, Escala Chief Investment Officer, Tracey McNaughton, discusses how this market correction differs to anything in the past; what the Escala fund managers are saying about it; and why the investment environment will be different when the fog finally lifts. (1:05) Tracey lets start with how you are viewing current events in markets? (3:19) You mentioned the similaritie...