High-grade bond heaven?

Laurence Bensafi, Deputy Head of EM Equities, and Mike Reed, Head of Global Financial Institutions, discuss the strong outperformance of the asset class in the year-to-date, the impact of tariffs on EM companies, and why quality value investments are compelling. They also discuss two of the team’s top-down themes – Technology Transformation and Future Infrastructure – and how a thematic approach drives bottom-up stock picking.

Marc Stacey, BlueBay Senior Portfolio Manager for Investment Grade, and Mike Reed, Head of Global Financial Institutions, discuss ongoing market uncertainty, the end of US exceptionalism and how European banks have been on a positive trajectory from a fundamentals perspective in recent years.They also highlight how investment grade companies are likely to be impacted by the current environment and what this means for the team’s investment opportunities.

The only constant at the moment is change, with tariffs and trade noise dominating the headlines on a daily basis. Habib Subjally, Head of our Global Equities Team, has a 30-year plus history investing across market cycles and knows how to weather a storm. He and Mike Reed, Head of Global Financial Institutions, discuss why businesses are feeling cautious at present, the end of the road for US exceptionalism, and how a polarised environment can create strong alpha-generating potential for innovative companies.

Anthony Kettle, EM Debt Senior Portfolio Manager, and Mike Reed, Head of Global Financial Institutions, discuss how a ‘one size fits all’ approach doesn’t work for the emerging markets debt universe. Key talking points include the diverse mix of countries and sectors, why certain headwinds of the last few years could be turning into tailwinds, the more positive aspects of Trump’s agenda, and the need for a well-resourced team in order to deliver alpha when investing in EMD.

Phil Langham, Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of our EM Equities Team and Mike Reed, Head of Global Financial Institutions, discuss emerging markets – an asset class that calls for a skilled active manager with the ability to navigate both the opportunities and pitfalls.Key discussion points include the turning point of EM underperformance, the potential implications of Trump’s White House comeback, why Saudi Arabia is an interesting top-down story, and domestic sectors of interest in the year ahead.

Sid Chhabra, head of European High Yield, Securitized Credit and CLO Management, and Mike Reed, Head of Global Financial Institutions, discuss why the current backdrop is favorable for high yield, select investment opportunities in the banking, energy, telecoms and real estate sectors, and the role of private credit in the asset class.

Habib Subjally, Head of Global Equities and Senior Portfolio Manager, and Mike Reed, Head of Global Financial Institutions, discuss drivers of equity markets over the last few years, productivity and innovation in challenging times, and the Global Equity team’s focus on great businesses which create contingent assets.

Andrzej Skiba, Head of US Fixed Income and Senior Portfolio Manager at RBC GAM, and Mike Reed, Head of Global Financial Institutions, discuss the robustness of the US economy, whether strong bond yields are likely to maintain momentum, corporate balance sheets and, of course, the potential return of Trump to the White House.

Polina Kurdyavko, Head of BlueBay Emerging Markets and Senior Portfolio Manager at RBC GAM, and Mike Reed, Head of Global Financial Institutions, discuss recent drivers of returns, the impact of geopolitical events and – in a year of global elections – how the team’s proposed solution for the debt sustainability of Mexico’s largest state-owned oil company has been well received by the country’s presidential candidates.

Kaspar Hense, BlueBay Senior Portfolio Manager of Investment Grade at RBC GAM, and Mike Reed, Head of Global Financial Institutions, consider the big-picture themes they believe all those involved in high-grade bonds should consider, and discuss how the differing dynamics across the asset class can help drive returns.