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The year started with volatility in rates, as the 10-year Treasury yield oscillates amid shifting market dynamics.

At the start of the year, markets dismissed the prospect of US tariffs as mere threats rather than economic realities. But the new Trump administration’s first decisive moves – targeting China, Canada, Mexico, and soon, Europe – have shattered that assumption.

On his return to the Oval Office, Donald Trump swiftly sparked uncertainty with a trade offensive against Mexico, Canada and China. We expect the return of protectionist policies to fuel market volatility in the months ahead. In this environment, hedge funds and precious metals stand out as resilient investment choices.

Trump's agenda of higher tariffs, tax cuts, and stricter immigration measures could, if actually implemented, spur inflationary pressures, thus curbing the momentum for interest rate cuts. This ‘higher-for-longer’ interest rate environment favours hedge funds over fixed income investments – an asset class we have downgraded from 3/5 to 2/5.

After a strong performance in November driven by the re-election of Donald Trump, US equities remain one of our key convictions.

Emerging market (EM) corporate bonds have faced considerable challenges in recent years, with rising geopolitical tensions, defaults in China’s real estate sector, and elevated global interest rates dampening investor appetite; however, the tide may be turning. A shift in the global interest rate environment – marked by a rate cut by the US Federal Reserve and a fresh economic stimulus package in China – offers an opportunity to revisit this often-overlooked asset class.

The statements in late 2024 from China’s central bank and the country’s Politburo sparked hopes of a ‘whatever it takes’ moment, only to see these dashed, as policy actions have fallen short of expectations.

Trump's return to the White House marks the start of a new era that is set to boost US-based companies while the wider global investment landscape continues to contract. 

Infrastructure assets provide essential services to communities, facilitating the transport of people, data, and energy.

Several central banks, including the Federal Reserve, Bank of England, and European Central Bank, have ushered in a new era of rate-cutting, signalling the end to their fight against inflation. But what does this easing cycle mean for asset classes?

The global economy is becoming more fragmented, creating a complex landscape for investors and policymakers. Geopolitical events, such as the US elections, the Ukraine-Russia war, and heightened tensions in the Middle East, are amplifying market uncertainties. In response, we have raised our conviction on gold from 3/5 to 4/5.

Direct lending, the biggest segment in private debt, is now accessible to a broader range of investors and seeing increasing demand, boosted by its superior risk-adjusted returns and attractive features that include speed and certainty of execution.