AI investment themes for 2026 may centre on infrastructure enablers, upstream semiconductors, and strong Asian players, with regulatory and capital expenditure concentration as key risks.
World
In partnership with L&G Asset Management
Investors can no longer overlook the performance and influence of emerging markets (EM) in the global economy. After delivering robust returns in 2025 despite global volatility, selective parts of the EM debt universe deserve a bigger role in global allocations, say L&G’s Ben Bennett, head of investment strategy for Asia, and Uday Patnaik, head of Asia fixed income and global EM debt.
In partnership with L&G Asset Management
In a fluctuating and, frankly, precarious US macro environment, investors are rethinking where in the fixed income landscape to allocate. With diversification essential, we believe US securitised assets and subordinated bank debt offer key opportunities for asset allocators in Asia, say L&G’s Ben Bennett, head of investment strategy for Asia, and Jason Shoup, global co-head of fixed income.
As the year winds down, investors must balance optimism with caution, positioning portfolios for both festive cheer and potential lumps of coal.
The superannuation fund is joining forces with Macquarie Asset Management on a private equity strategy focused on businesses servicing infrastructure.
Australian superannuation funds are strengthening Net Zero engagement policies as new research reveals the big four banks have provided A$43.4 billion to major fossil fuel companies since the Paris Agreement.
In partnership with Principal
Credit events can happen when monetary policy shifts from very accommodative to a more restrictive stance such as the case over the past few years. The key to distinguishing assets such as true private credit from the broadly syndicated loan market, is understanding structures, underwriting standards and manager incentives, according to Tim Warrick, managing director, and head of Principal Alternative Credit.
In partnership with L&G Asset Management
With the US economy exhibiting higher inflation and interest rates, dynamic duration management is a powerful – and essential – tool for global bond portfolios, according to L&Gs Ben Bennett, head of investment strategy for Asia, and Ian Hutchinson, head of global bond strategies.
While the resolution eased immediate fears, the short-term funding deal leaves regional sentiment vulnerable to future US political gridlock.
The MSCI-Swiss Re analysis comes as COP30, the UN's annual climate change conference, gets underway in Brazil.
As gains concentrate in tech titans, investors weigh momentum against mounting valuation risks.
In partnership with S&P Dow Jones Indices
Amid growing allocations globally to private markets, the focus has shifted to more transparent and liquid access to assets. The goal is making them more transparent and investable, with recent index innovations by S&P Dow Jones Indices (S&P DJI) a key starting point, says Ari Rajendra, the firm’s head of private markets indices.
