356: Germany’s debt brake, Chinese tech and political polarisation – Market Talk

Ben Bennett plots the path of interest rates in the US and UK, examines the factors driving the equity market rebound, and explains why possible tariffs on non-US films could have ramifications far beyond Hollywood. All data is sourced from LSEG as at 6 May 2025 unless otherwise stated. Taiwan dollar move source: Taiwan dollar's record rally is a trade-war tremor | Reuters For professional investors only. Capital at risk. Securities mentioned for illustrative purposes only. Reference to a particular security is on a historic basis and does not mean that the security is currently held or will be held within an L&G portfolio. The above information does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any security.

Following the publication of a major new research paper, Raj Shah, a Senior Quant and Factor Strategist within our Index Solutions team, delves into the question of whether factor portfolios can be decarbonised without losing their underlying risk and return characteristics.  This podcast is hosted by Harry Brooks, European Content Manager. For professional investors only. Capital at risk. It should be noted that diversification is no guarantee against a loss in a declining market. There is no guarantee ESG targets will be achieved.

In another week of volatility for US assets, Ben Bennett dissects the market reaction to frictions with the Fed, considers the path of the dollar, and shares his verdict on whether the era of American exceptionalism is at an end. All data is sourced from LSEG as at 21 April 2025 unless otherwise stated. For professional investors only. Capital at risk. Securities mention for illustrative purposes only. Reference to a particular security is on a historic basis and does not mean that the security is currently held or will be held within an L&G portfolio. The above information does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any security.

At the beginning of the year, a narrative of US exceptionalism was the consensus among many market participants. However, significant policy uncertainty emanating from the Trump administration has driven a significant rotation away from US risk assets and sent shockwaves around the global economy. What can investors conclude from the turbulence of the first quarter of 2025 - and what does this all mean for American fixed income? This week, we're doing a deep dive to answer these questions and more. This episode is hosted by Andrew Lowry in London; he is joined by Jason Shoup, CIO and Co-Head of Global Fixed Income, and Anthony Woodside, Head of Multi-Sector Fixed Income & Investment Strategy, both at the Chicago office of L&G's Asset Management division. This podcast was recorded on April 15 2025. For professional investors only. Capital at risk.

In this episode, we explore Defined Contribution (DC) investments and the changing reality of retirement. Our DC Head of Clients, Jayesh Patel, and clinical psychologist, Dr Emma Hepburn, join us to discuss the gap between retirement expectations and retirement realities. For professional investors only. Capital at risk.

Our expert panel discusses the remarkable shift in the market narrative, which has accompanied a rotation away from some of the best-performing assets of 2024, and what investors can expect over the coming months. During the episode, our latest CIO call, our speakers are Sonja Laud, our Global Chief Investment Officer; Colin Reedie, Head of Active Strategies; Jason Becker, Head of US Credit strategy, Asset Management, America; and Tim Drayson, Head of Economics. Among other points, they cover: How shifts in US and European policy are likely to affect the global economy The reasons behind the rotation currently underway in markets The prospects for fixed income and equities in light of the murky macro outlook Our own positioning within risk assets In addition, the speakers also share what they have been reading, watching and listening to recently. The podcast was recorded on 26 March and was moderated by Max Julius, Head of Content. For professional investors only. Capital at risk.

Ahead of World Water Day on 22 March, this week’s podcast considers the global challenge of improving access to clean water and examines the intersection of technology and water. While AI’s thirst for water is in the spotlight, the technology also promises meaningful efficiency gains in water management.    Our speakers are: Alex Burr, Director, Investment Stewardship Elisa Piscopiello, Senior ETF Analyst Shichen Zhao, ETF Thematic Research Analyst  This podcast is hosted by Harry Brooks, European Content Manager. For professional investors only. Capital at risk. Securities mention for illustrative purposes only. Reference to a particular security is on a historic basis and does not mean that the security is currently held or will be held within an L&G portfolio. The above information does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Assumptions, opinions, and estimates are provided for illustrative purposes only. There is no guarantee that any forecasts made will come to pass.

This week on the podcast, we’re looking at the UK, exploring what might be in store for investors in real estate and certain related asset classes.  The discussion focused on the macro picture we’re seeing at the moment, which sub-sectors may represent attractive investment opportunities and what certain private markets investors are saying about the UK.  Joining for this episode we have:  Neil Meikle – Head of Real Estate Capital Raising, L&G  Michael Adefuye – Senior Research Manager, Private Markets, L&G  This podcast is hosted by Nick Jardine, content manager for private markets.  For professional investors only. Capital at risk. For illustrative purposes only. Reference to a particular security is on a historic basis and does not mean that the security is currently held or will be held within an LGIM portfolio. The above information does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any security. 

Ben Bennett, Head of Investment Strategy for Asia, discusses what Germany’s parliamentary election might mean for the future of the country’s much-discussed debt brake. Also on the agenda is the rally in Chinese tech stocks, and how political polarisation is influencing inflation forecasts in the US. All data is sourced from Eikon as at 24 February 2025 unless otherwise stated. For professional investors only. Capital at risk.

How has the emerging market debt universe changed in recent decades? What are the portfolio use cases for these assets? And what is the role of emerging markets in a multi-polar world? Answering these questions and more are Uday Patnaik, Head of Emerging Market Debt in our Active Strategies team, and Erik Lueth, Emerging Market Economist in our Asset Allocation team. This episode is hosted by Harry Brooks, European Content Manager. For professional investors only. Capital at risk.