L&G Talks Asset Management

This week LGIM Talks sits down with Bill Page, Head of Real Estate Research at LGIM Real Assets.  As in many markets, British real estate has been undergoing a brutal period of repricing.  But could the UK be closer to the end of this process than other countries?  As the return to the office either gathers pace or stalls, depending on who you consult, we discuss the structural factors that could...

In this episode, LGIM fund managers Matthew Rees and Francis Chua discuss the evolution of strategic bond strategies and what’s in store in the future, with Mat providing insight on how he runs his portfolio, and Francis sharing his thoughts as a fund selector.  This episode was recorded on 12 October 2023.  For professional investors only.

Against a background of heightened volatility and bond market jitters, in this episode, Ben Bennett, discusses the possible reasons behind the sharp rise in bond yields over the past few days, the rising cost of borrowing, and the crowding out effect of higher bond yields on credit and equities.   This episode is hosted by Frances Watson, Content Manager, and was recorded before the ADP jobs repor...

Following a momentous month for central banks, Sonja Laud, LGIM’s CIO, discusses with her expert panel whether we’ve reached peak interest rates and what to expect from markets into year end, with a focus on the outlook for the US. Sonja is joined by Jason Shoup, CIO at LGIM America, and Tim Drayson, LGIM’s Head of Economics. The panel also discusses: What to watch for in the run-up to the 2024 US...

Batteries have a critical role to play in the transition to net zero, with the rapid rise of electric vehicles demonstrating how far the technology has evolved in just a few years. Head of Pooled Index Strategy Michael Stewart and ETF Analyst Elisa Piscopiello discuss the highlights from their new white paper: The battery value-chain: how batteries and lithium are powering the energy transition ....

With China experiencing deflation, and as Europe starts to encounter sticky inflation and slowing growth, is the US the only bright spot in the global economy right now? Is the curtain finally falling on the era of negative interest rates in Japan? And has Hong Kong become the latest victim of climate change? Ben Bennett, Investment Strategist APAC, explains all. This episode was hosted by Frances...

With AGM season wrapped up for companies around the world, our Investment Stewardship experts discuss how LGIM voted on key issues in 2023.  LGIM’s Investment Stewardship team exercises voting rights globally across our active and index strategies, holding companies to account on the ESG issues that matter most to our clients.  So, what was top of the agenda for investors in 2023? And how can LGIM...

To celebrate 10 years of LGIM’s Multi-Index strategies, we catch up with fund manager Andrzej Pioch who shares his career story, achievements and lessons learnt over the past decade, and hopes for a more inclusive industry as co-chair of the L&GBT Allies Network.  For professional investors only. Capital at risk. 

Why were investors happy with the latest US jobs data? Have we reached ‘peak pessimism’ in terms of Chinese equities? And what are generous yields in the high-yield bond space telling us? Ben Bennett explains all. This episode was hosted by Frances Watson, Content Manager. All data is sourced from Eikon as at 01 September 2023 unless otherwise stated. For professional investors only. Capital at ri...

Why does biodiversity loss pose material risks to investors – and what are we at LGIM doing about them? In our latest CIO call, hosted by Sonja Laud, LGIM’s Chief Investment Officer, we answer this question as Lewis Pugh, UNEP Patron of the Oceans and LGIM’s global partner, swims the length of the Hudson river to highlight the threats to biodiversity. Sonja is joined by Amelia Tan, Head of Respons...

In this latest edition of LGIM Talks we take a road trip over to our partners in Legal & General’s Pension Risk Transfer (PRT) business, where Roshni Sakaria, Actuarial Manager, LGRI, welcomes Adrian Somerfield, Director, PRT, and Mat Webb, Head of Endgame Solutions, LGIM, who discuss how our PRT and investment management businesses work together to support schemes and explore the benefits of...

We’re taking a short break from the pod but we’ll be back late August with more news and views from across our investment teams.

In this episode, Ben Bennett talks through the implications of the recent downgrade in US sovereign debt, further rate tightening from the UK and elsewhere and the reasons behind China’s equity rally. All data sourced from Eikon as at 01 August 2023. This episode was hosted by Frances Watson, Content Manager and was recorded on 02 August 2023. 

Having been the first major developed world central bank to raise interest rates in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the last 18 months have seen the Bank of England deliver 13 consecutive interest rates rises, from 0.1% to today’s rate of 5%. In this latest edition of LGIM Talks our Global Economist, James Carrick, discusses the steep rise in UK interest rates and the potential implication...

ETF Analyst Elisa Piscopiello explains how quality is defined in systematic investment strategies, and how portfolios can be constructed to capture quality companies. This podcast is hosted by Harry Brooks, Content Manager. All data sourced from Bloomberg as at July 2023 unless otherwise stated. For professional investors only. Capital at risk.

Is the latest US CPI print a potential game changer for investors? Why aren’t credit spreads pricing in more recession risk? And why do Eurozone countries need to restore their fiscal rules? Chris Jeffery, LGIM’s Head of Rates and Inflation Strategy explains all. This podcast is hosted by Frances Watson, Content Manager. For professional investors only. Capital at risk.

Sonja Laud, LGIM’s Chief Investment Officer, and fellow experts in the field of public and private credit, discuss implications for asset classes against the backdrop of an investment world characterised by a rising risk-free rate.  Other topics covered include the question of illiquidity in private markets, attitudes to risk, the limited extent to which fixed income can be protected from the rava...

The last six months have seen an explosion of interest in artificial intelligence, with excitement around the technology almost single-handedly driving a rally in the S&P 500. Where could this exciting new technology be taking us? What do investors need to know about its potential? And how can we distinguish between hype and actionable insights? To find out, this week we sit down with Nelson N...

With major asset classes no longer positively correlated, has calm been restored for the asset allocator? Or is persistent inflation still the cause of major headaches? And given the volatility in bonds, should investors be redefining the term safe haven? Chris Teschmacher, Fund Manager, Asset Allocation, gives us his thoughts. This episode is hosted by Frances Watson, Content Manager. All data is...

LGIM’s Climate Impact Pledge is our promise to help investee companies tackle climate change and transition to a low-carbon economy. Our approach combines positive engagement with voting sanctions and divestment. In our seventh Pledge, we’ve raised our expectations. We’ve covered more companies than ever in our quantitative assessment, and delved into greater depth than before in our direct engage...

Why is the US having to withdraw liquidity from the system? But why have the Chinese authorities taken to targeted stimulus? What’s the oil price and yield curve telling us that equities aren’t? And why the differential between US tech stocks and their Chinese counterparts? Ben Bennett, Investment Strategist APAC, explains all. This podcast was hosted by Frances Watson, Content Manager. For profes...

In this month’s call, Sonja Laud, LGIM’s Chief Investment Officer, outlines the next focus areas for investors going into the second half of 2023 in light of the recent agreement being reached on the raising of the US debt ceiling.  Other key topics include the implications of a slowing Chinese economy, the state of the UK commercial real estate market and the risks and rewards of allocating inves...

Against a backdrop of somewhat quieter markets, we ask what are short-term Treasuries telling us about debt ceiling negotiations? What’s behind the strong performance of US technology stocks? And why does China need to revitalise its property sector? Ben Bennett explains all. This episode is hosted by Frances Watson, Content Manager. All data sourced from Eikon as at 22 May. For professional inves...

With bonds and equities falling in tandem, 2022 was an exceptional year for the financial markets. As we approach 2023’s halfway point, have we returned to ‘normal’? And what does the recent volatility in the banking sector mean for investors in European fixed income assets? Andrew Lowry, European Content Manager, sits down with LGIM’s Head of Euro Credit Marc Rovers to find out.

It’s easy to take clean running water for granted, but climate change, population growth and infrastructure failings mean demand will increasingly outstrip supply. Elisa Piscopiello, ETF Analyst at LGIM, explains the role of technology in addressing the problem, and shares some water-saving tips to use at home.    This podcast is hosted by Harry Brooks, Content Manager.  All data is from Eikon as...