FundCalibre - Investing on the go

Will Argent, investment adviser to the VT Gravis Clean Energy Income fund, tells us how the clean energy space has evolved in the last 5 years since the fund’s inception, and how the investment opportunities have equally grown. He gives his opinion on the impact of the recent windfall tax in the UK and, mindful of the National Grid’s warnings about challenging times ahead, comments on energy stora...

Jeremy Gleeson, manager of AXA Framlington Global Technology , comments on the performance of tech stocks this year and tells us that, despite some high-profile disappointments, there have been a number of good earnings surprises in the sector. He talks about Facebook’s problems, the possible demise of Twitter, and gives us some insight into current favoured holdings within the portfolio. He finis...

In this in-depth interview, Eduardo Figuieredo, the manager for the abrdn Latin American Equity fund, talks to us about all things Latin America. He comments on the impact of the recent elections in Brazil, as well as its rejuvenated commitment to environmental issues; the additional positive effect of the ‘check and balance’ that the newly elected, two-tier Congress and Senate will have on the fi...

Bill Chater, investment specialist for the Baillie Gifford Global Discovery fund, gives us an in-depth perspective on the fund’s investment style and why the long-term approach delivers results. He comments on the core fundamentals the team looks for in its stock picks, touches on the current market conditions and the impact on the fund, and why the potential within healthcare is so exciting, with...

Kevin Murphy, co-manager of Schroder Income , tells us why stock markets are irrational and growth is like, "sirens pulling you onto the rocks," in this week's interview. Kevin also shares why the managers have been trimming their exposure to oil and gas and the banking sectors in favour of consumer retail names. We wrap up with the million pound question: value or growth? What&apos...

Maneesh Bajaj, manager of the Elite Rated Brown Advisory US Flexible Equity fund, talks about his fund, the outlook for US markets in 2023 and the fund’s approach to investing. He comments on several of the fund’s holdings, including Berkshire Hathaway and why that conglomerate’s culture of corporate responsibility and attitude towards its shareholders makes it an important, long-term holding for...

Matthew Page, co-manager of the Guinness Global Equity Income fund, talks to us about how company dividends are holding up this year. He also covers the fund’s investment process, how it differs from others, how the team makes its buying and selling decisions, and the effect recent decisions have had on the geographic weighting of the portfolio. Matthew also comments on the perennial 'bonds v...

Jason Borbora-Sheen, manager of the Elite Rated Ninety One Global Income Opportunities fund, takes a broad look across global asset classes in this far-reaching episode. He gives us his current and future outlooks for both the bond and equity markets, and how these have shaped the portfolio. He also comments on how the fund uses hedging to benefit the portfolio - in particular when it comes to gai...

James Mahon, co-manager of the SVS Church House Tenax Absolute Return Strategies fund, tells us about some deflationary forces that are starting to come through and why he thinks inflation could peak in the next few months. He explains what the ‘yield curve’ can tell us about an economy’s health and why bonds that are due to mature in just a few years’ time are more attractive than those that have...

Alexandra Jackson, manager of the Rathbone UK Opportunities fund, talks to us about UK equities: how they have performed, the impact of UK political and economic turmoil, why mid-cap stocks are attractive, and why M&A targets are no longer vulnerable companies but trophy assets. She also tells us which stocks she has sold recently, reveals which real estate company has locked-in cheaper energy...

Alexander Darwall, manager of the European Opportunities Trust , tells us why the European economy is in structural decline, but also why you can still make money there as an investor. He discusses healthcare company Novo Nordisk – in particular, its diabetes drug and new use for weight-loss – tells us about investing too early in Deutsche Boerse, and reveals why his investment in Dark Trace is ju...

In this interview, Simon Clements, co-manager of the Liontrust Sustainable Future Global Growth and Liontrust Sustainable Future Managed funds, talks to us about the three mega themes and 20 sub-themes in the portfolio. He describes companies the team invests in, including one that makes factory floors more efficient, one that could mean patients can leave hospital sooner and one that makes sure t...

Darius McDermott and Juliet Schooling Latter return to discuss the third quarter of 2022. After a week of turmoil in the UK markets, they explain what has been going on. They also discuss the US, high yield bonds, and why financial companies have done well recently. They also touch on the continued outperformance of Latin American equities; the possible issues coming out of Japan; and wrap up with...

Janus Henderson’s Jane Shoemake tells us all about the Janus Henderson Global Dividend Index. She reveals what it looks at, and what it can tell investors about dividend health in various regions and sectors. Jane then discusses how dividends can help investors during periods of high inflation, before going on to talk about the Janus Henderson UK Responsible Income fund. Jane tells us which types...

Rebecca Myatt, a portfolio manager on the Elite Rated First Sentier Global Listed Infrastructure fund, and lead manager of the First Sentier Responsible Listed Infrastructure fund, talks to us about how infrastructure is important when it comes to achieving environmental and social goals. She discusses the transition to a net zero global economy, why it is important to engage with companies not si...

Charles Luke, manager of the Murray Income Trust , starts this interview with a reminder about the types of company he likes to invest in. He then reveals details about three new holdings: Oxford Instruments, Safestore, and London Stock Exchange Group. Charles also discusses the pros and cons of mergers and acquisitions, before going into detail about the Trust’s ESG credentials, with the example...

Matthews Asia ex Japan Dividend fund manager Yu Zhang talks to us about the benefits of investing in dividend paying companies in Asia versus their more developed peers in the Western world. He also explains why the structural growth story in Asia remains strong and how companies are getting used to living with Covid. He also highlights some of the value that is starting to appear in Chinese equit...

Ben Peters, co-manager of the TB Evenlode Global Income fund, discusses inflation and says that while very little can be done to help in the short term, in the long-term, equities – and in particular companies that can generate a sustainable dividend – are not a bad place to be. Ben tells us about a recent trip to the US and meetings with the management of Mastercard and Analog Devices. He then re...

Liontrust UK Micro Cap co-manager Victoria Stevens explains why holding companies which are not capital intensive and have strong pricing power has positioned the fund to manage the challenges of rising inflation. Victoria also talks us through the importance of manager ownership in a company and how it can allow a firm to grow through periods of uncertainty. She also highlights the positives and...

David Coombs, manager of Rathbone Strategic Growth Portfolio , tells us why he has been adding risk to his fund throughout 2022, despite the threat of recession. He also highlights some of the opportunities his team have been finding in both the bond market and tech stocks this year. He also explains why the current crisis is no different to anything else he has experienced in the past four decade...

Man GLG fund manager Mike Scott explains why credit spreads are the major driver of returns in the high yield bond market and the importance of not only being selective, but also different, in choosing companies amid a weaker economic backdrop. He also highlights the role of cash flows in this environment and the focus on targeting businesses with recession proofing characteristics over a number o...

JOHCM Global Opportunities manager Ben Leyland explains why markets have been abnormal since the Global Financial Crisis in 2008 and why investors are now facing a financial environment that we’ve not seen for decades. Ben also talks us through how the team run money in transitory periods like these and the benefits of their balanced approach to investing. He also highlights some of the overlooked...

Andy Brown, investment director for the Baillie Gifford Japanese equity team , talks to us about how Japan is finally opening up after Covid, and how the economy is running at a different speed to the rest of the world. He tells us why China’s reopening is beneficial to Japan, explains what the Big Mac Index is and why it matters, and the discusses opportunities from collaborative robots to gaming...

Mike Sell, manager of the Alquity Indian Subcontinent fund, explains why favourable demographics, increasing urbanisation and a thriving private sector have made India one of the most compelling growth stories for investors over the next 10 years. Mike also explains why India’s domestic growth story makes the country an ideal investment diversifier and why he sees great opportunities in the financ...

Nick Clay, manager of the TM Redwheel Global Equity Income fund, explains why the days of getting rich quick are over and how compounding dividend income will once again become the biggest building block for wealth generation. He also talks to us about why there’s likely to be more pain ahead for the large technology companies and why a number of cyclical sectors, like luxury goods, look attractiv...