Speakers and topics

Investing in the physical economy

US Select Equity (US Smid Cap)

In the same way the outset of the Covid-19 pandemic pulled forward the need for digitisation, the post-Covid hangover crystalised the need for investments in US infrastructure. In response, the US passed a $1.2trn infrastructure law which Allspring believes will catalyse demand for companies tied to the physical economy. Jonathan will discuss his fund’s investments in these areas.

Lead portfolio manager, US Select Equity Fund
Allspring Global Investments

Jonathan is a portfolio manager for the select equity team at Allspring Global Investments. He joined Allspring and its predecessor WFAM in 2015 from William Blair & Co, where he worked as an equity research analyst. Before that, he served as an investment banking associate at SunTrust Robinson Humphrey. 

Exploiting attractive opportunities across the global short-dated bond market

AXA Global Short Duration Bond Fund

Fixed-income markets continue to be volatile, as the economic outlook remains uncertain due to high interest rates, sticky inflation, slowing growth and tighter lending conditions. Nicolas will present his outlook for 2024 covering economics, geopolitics, valuations, and asset allocation. With global yield curves still inverted, he will also explain why he believes short-dated bonds represent a compelling opportunity for investors.

Senior portfolio manager
AXA Investment Managers

Nicolas is part of the investment grade credit team within the global active fixed income platform. He is responsible for managing both global and sterling credit portfolios. He is the lead portfolio manager of the AXA Sterling Credit Short Duration Bond Fund, the AXA Global Short Duration Bond Fund and AXA WF Global Short Duration Bonds fund. He initially joined AXA IM in 2006. Prior to his appointment within the investment team, he was a fixed income product specialist responsible for the development of the UK, US and high yield product ranges.

The opportunity in global investment grade credit today

Capital Group Global Corporate Bond Fund

Overall, there remains a supportive backdrop for fixed income, with the macroeconomic environment in the US supportive of credit risk and the anticipated pivot by central banks positive for duration. As divergence between economies increases, however, dispersion between different areas of the bond universe will increase, creating opportunities for a global active investment approach to add value.

Fixed income investment director
Capital Group

Flavio has 19 years of industry experience and has been with Capital Group for three years. Prior to joining, he worked as a fixed income senior investment strategist at AllianceBernstein. Before that, he was a product manager at PIMCO. His early career also included a role at the Bank of England as an analyst in the markets department. He is based in London.

Emerging markets: why bother?

FP Carmignac Emerging Markets

Emerging markets have underperformed their developed peers since mid-2010, leaving many investors in doubt over the value of the asset class. Why might the next decade be different? In 2024, the EM asset class is set to benefit from a continued resilient macroeconomic fundamentals, favourable monetary policies, and attractive valuations. However, the way these dynamics play out will vary greatly by country and, as always, these opportunities will be accompanied by risks.Haiyan Li Labbé, head of Greater China investments at Carmignac, will discuss the opportunities and risks for emerging markets along with her favourite investment themes for 2024.

Fund manager, head of Greater China Investments
Carmignac

Haiyan has a focus on the Greater China markets within the emerging equities team. She began her career in 2001 at Société Générale Investment Banking as an analyst on Asian convertible bonds. In 2004 she became a fund manager and head of Asian projects at ADI Alternative Investments and OFI AM. She joined Carmignac in 2011.

US equities, a different approach through a quantitative lens 

CT (Lux) US Disciplined Core fund

With the unparalleled rise of the ‘magnificent seven’ over the past 5 years, are we at an inflection point for the US Equity market? Richard McCloskey will discuss the merits of a quantitative approach within an active portfolio which can provide stable returns through the market cycle.

Vice-president, client portfolio manager
Columbia Threadneedle Investments

Rich is responsible for providing detailed information on the capabilities and investment views to existing and prospective clients as well as to consultants and other intermediaries. Prior to joining the firm, he was a client portfolio manager at New Amsterdam Partners, a director of consultant relations at WestLB Asset Management and a consultant at Russell Investments. He has been a member of the industry since 1992. 

Time to seize the opportunity: the UK small cap resurgence

VT Downing Small & Mid-Cap Income Fund

UK small caps’ underlying fundamental returns have been masked by years of derating as sentiment turned negative. Late 2023 began to see sentiment shift the other way, with ongoing fundamental returns and current valuations offering investors a generational buying opportunity. Despite a macro environment that potentially won’t replicate the last decade, Josh will highlight the income paying potential of UK small caps and how a total return approach could be set up to outperform.

Fund manager
Downing Fund Managers

Josh joined Downing in 2018 as an analyst and co-manager of the VT Downing Small & Mid-Cap Income Fund. He took over as lead manager in April 2021. He has more than nine years' experience in the industry which has been focused on UK equities. Prior to Downing, he was at BRI Wealth Management focusing on UK equity research.

Seeking consistent income with lower volatility

JPM Global Equity Premium Income Ucits ETF (JEPG)

JEPG uses an innovative investment approach that is in high demand in the US and applies it to global equities for Ucits investors. The result is a low volatility global equity portfolio with the ability to generate a consistent income from dividends and options premiums. International equity Investment specialist Ruairidh Hill will discuss the benefits that JEPG can bring to a portfolio, particularly at times of economic uncertainty when investors may want to dial down equity risk.

Investment specialists, international equity group
J.P. Morgan Asset Management

Ruairidh, is an executive director and an investment specialist within the J.P. Morgan Asset Management International Equity Group, based in London. An employee since 2013, he joined as a graduate trainee.

Making the case for high yield

Jupiter Global High Yield Bond Fund

Investment manager Adam Darling will discuss the macro environment and the current opportunity available to investors in high yield markets, including the yields on offer and the potential to generate equity-like returns with lower volatility over the long run. Adam will discuss how robust credit research is fundamental in a deteriorating macro environment and why careful credit selection is key to generating returns and managing risk. Adam also will talk about Jupiter’s approach to high yield markets, including a focus on being active, pragmatic and risk aware. 

Investment manager, Fixed Income
Jupiter Asset Management

Adam is an investment manager in the fixed income team. He joined Jupiter in February 2015. Before joining Jupiter, he worked at Barclays, focusing on natural resource investments. Prior to this, he held roles at Société Générale and Morgan Stanley. He began his investment career in 2000.

Uncovering the best ideas in global credit markets

PGIM Multi Asset Credit Fund

The highest inflation in four decades, and aggressive interest-rate hikes to tame it, have fundamentally altered global credit markets while also creating generational investment opportunities. PGIM Fixed Income’s Gabriel Doz will explain how the PGIM Multi Asset Credit Fund nimbly extracts multiple sources of alpha through active allocations across spread sectors and regions. This process is backed by a deeply experienced team of portfolio managers, risk managers and credit research analysts fully capable of navigating the new economic paradigm.


Principal and portfolio strategist, PGIM fixed income
PGIM Investments

Gabriel is a principal and portfolio strategist in European retail client management, supporting PGIM Investments’ European Financial Intermediary Group (FIG) in the development of PGIM Fixed Income’s subadvisory capabilities and Ucits platform. Prior to joining the firm in 2016, he was senior vice-president at PIMCO where he maintained and developed relationships with the firm’s large institutional EMEA clients. Earlier, he was a discretionary portfolio manager for Societe Generale Gestion in Paris and held various roles at Amundi Asset Management and RBC Dexia Investor Services.

Yielding potential: unveiling the power of the PIMCO GIS Income Fund

PIMCO GIS Income Fund

Today’s bond yields mean that investors in multi-sector bond strategies can once again aim for consistent income and capital gains. With a track record of 10+ years delivering strong risk-adjusted returns, the GIS Income fund is PIMCO’s flagship and is that strategic bond allocation that can help you navigate any market environment.

VP, fixed income strategist, PSG-traditional product
PIMCO

Gordon is a vice president and fixed income strategist in the London office, focusing on multi-sector fixed income strategies. Prior to joining PIMCO in 2019, he was a fixed income specialist at UBS AM covering global rates, global credit and unconstrained strategies. Prior to that, he spent more than 12 years on M&G Investments' fixed income team.

Pivoting from defence to offence

Premier Miton Global Smaller Companies Fund

A bull market in global small caps has begun so now is the time to start playing 'offence'. After two years of slowing economic growth and a corporate earnings recession, leading economic indicators have turned up and company commentaries have improved. A new upcycle brings new investment themes and global smaller companies are a great way to take advantage.

Lead fund manager, Premier Miton Global Smaller Companies Fund
Premier Miton Investors

Alan joined Premier Miton in 2020 from Aberdeen Standard Investments where he was a manager of the ASI Global Smaller Companies Fund since launch in January 2012 to June 2020. Prior to that, he was part of the US equity team based in Boston, from 2006-2011, managing US portfolios. Previous roles include Singer & Friedlander (1997-2005), Cazenove (1996-97) and HM Treasury (1994-95).

Fund manager, Premier Miton Global Smaller Companies Fund
Premier Miton Investors

Imogen joined Premier Miton in 2020 from Aberdeen Standard Investments where she was a member of the ASI Global Smaller Companies Fund team from April 2018 to June 2020 and the emerging markets team from September 2016. Prior to this, she worked at Allianz Global Investors in Hong Kong from Sept 2013.

What’s next for interest rates?

Short Term Money Markets

Policymakers have often highlighted that they are in no rush to cut rates, with markets now generally pricing the start of the easing cycles to begin this summer. The Federal Reserve, European Central Bank and Bank of England all left interest rates unchanged over the quarter, although markets have recalibrated their pricing for expected central bank cuts over this year. What does this mean for Government bond and liquidity solution investors?

Head of cash and rates
Royal London Asset Management

Craig works closely with the rates team to manage a suite of solutions ranging from enhanced cash through sovereign and global bonds culminating in absolute return. 

The relative calm of earnings: why global quality growth investing is fit for volatile times

Seilern World Growth Fund- Global Equity Fund

Research analyst and portfolio manager
Seilern Investment Management

As a member of the Investment Team, Quentin's primary focus is seeking out new opportunities for the Seilern Universe, as well as conducting fundamental research on existing companies. He joined SIM in 2018, having previously worked as an analyst on the European Long/Short Fund at BlueCrest Capital. He started his career at Macquarie Bank, working both in London and in Hong Kong.