EP 43: The evolution of ESG investment strategies - Russell Investments

In this episode of the Portfolio Construction podcast, Paul O’Connor, Head of Investment at Netwealth, interviews Craig Swanger, Director and Chief Investment Officer of Income Asset Management (IAM). Craig shares his predictions that China’s interest rates may decline more rapidly than the market anticipates. This episode addresses these uncertainties and spotlights Craig’s perspective on China’s inflation trajectory and its potential impact on the Australian economy, the AUD, and portfolio construction, amid concerns over China’s real estate sector and escalating debt levels.

For some, emerging markets remain one of the most mispriced asset classes globally, providing ample opportunities for outperformance, but it is important to properly evaluate the risks before investing. In this episode of the Portfolio Construction podcast, Paul O’Connor, Head of Investment at Netwealth interviews Ross Cameron, Portfolio Manager, Emerging Markets at Northcape Capital, they discuss emerging markets and which ones have his attention this year and why, and those he’s avoiding in 2024.

In 2023, investors saw strong returns in equity, fixed interest, and cash markets. The question for 2024 is whether these strong returns will continue. In this episode of the Portfolio Construction podcast, Paul O’Connor, Head of Investment at Netwealth, interviews David Bassanese, Chief Economist at Betashares, about his economic view on the Australian dollar, equity and emerging markets, interest rates, and inflation. They discuss investment implications, key risks, and potential disruptions to the 2024/25 outlook, including effects on energy supply due to tensions in the Middle East, a sell-off in the bond market due to fears of the US budget deficit, and a more substantial slowing in consumer spending.

The resource sector encompasses a wide range of commodities and has received increasing attention due to the global shift towards renewable energy sources. In this episode of the Portfolio Construction podcast, Paul O’Connor, Head of Investment at Netwealth, is joined by Daniel Sullivan, Head of Global Natural Resources and Portfolio Manager at Janus Henderson Investors. They explore the vital role the global resource sector plays in our daily lives, with a focus on mining, energy, gold and agriculture. They examine the impact of various factors, including population growth and its effects on agriculture, energy transition, technological advancements that have reduced exploration risks and improved resource targeting, and geopolitical risks affecting investors.

In this episode of the Portfolio Construction podcast, Paul O’Connor, Head of Investments at Netwealth, interviews to Brett Lewthwaite, Chief Investment Officer and Global Head of Fixed Income at Macquarie Asset Management. They explore the current and future dynamics of bond markets, inflation and interest rates, and how they shape the global economic outlook and financial conditions. They also discuss the implications of these factors for monetary policy, such as quantitative easing and tightening, and how they affect the risk and return profiles of fixed income investors in today's market.

The healthcare industry is undergoing significant change due to increased demand from population growth, advancing medical services, and an ageing population, and as such healthcare real estate represents investment opportunities for some. In this podcast episode, Paul O'Connor, Head of Investments, Netwealth, interviews Andrew Hemming, the Managing Director of Centuria Healthcare. Andrew and Paul unpack the dynamics of the healthcare real estate sector in Australia including, the evolving models of care, the impact of interest rates, and its competitive nature.

In this episode, Paul O'Connor, Head of Investments at Netwealth, interviews Chi Lo, the Senior Market Strategist, APAC at BNP Paribas Asset Management. Together they unpack China’s economic outlook including its recent growth slowdown, policy stances, the global impact of China's recovery, the demographic trends challenging the country and the implications this has on investors and more.

In this podcast episode, Paul O'Connor, Head of Investment Management at Netwealth, and Amit Goel, Portfolio Manager at Fidelity International, explore the intricacies of emerging market equities. They discuss the diverse nature of emerging markets, highlighting the differences amongst countries, including varying demographic, social, and evolving economic conditions. They also discuss potentially attractive valuations and emphasise the importance of understanding businesses and effectively managing risks.

Green bonds have gained attention due to their alignment with ESG goals, making them a key consideration for environmentally and socially conscious investors. In this podcast episode, Paul O'Connor, Head of Investment Management at Netwealth and George Bishay, Head of Credit and Sustainable Strategies at Pendal Group delve into the universe of green bonds. Their discussion explores the role of green bonds in investment portfolios, their impact, market performance and their role in portfolio diversification. The conversation addresses the vital issue of greenwashing, how they ensure credibility of green bonds and the significant role they play in responsible investing.

In recent years, private markets have become more widely used and easier to access due to the rise of online platforms and increasingly sophisticated investors. In this podcast episode, Paul O'Connor, Head of Investment Management at Netwealth, and Roberto Cagnati, Chief Risk Officer at Partners Group, discuss the advantages of private markets compared to listed markets, including private equity, debt, real estate, and infrastructure. Hear how private markets can help diversify and lower volatility in portfolios, along with their unique benefits that make them an attractive investment option to some.