Markets have climbed steadily to new highs, led once again by technology and momentum stocks. In this podcast, we look at how our portfolios performed in comparison and why we continue to avoid areas where valuations look stretched. We then discuss the risk of irrational exuberance in markets, how we are protecting portfolios and where we still see long-term opportunity.

Sarah Ball, our Investment Specialist, sits down with Hugo Capel Cure, Co-Head of Portfolio Management, and Hughie Jessel, Head of Fund Research, to unpack the role of diversifying assets in how we construct portfolios. 

Despite a strong close for markets this quarter, the path there was far from smooth. In this episode, we look at how our portfolios performed through the volatility, and where we made adjustments, both in terms of equity holdings and protection strategies. We also discuss our views on wider macroeconomic conditions, interest rates and currencies, and the areas where we continue to find long-term value.

In this episode, Sarah Ball, our Investment Specialist, sits down with Rorrie Mars, Equity Analyst, to explore the investment case for Texas Instruments (TI), demystifying the world of analog semiconductors and why TI stands out in a rapidly evolving industry.

The first quarter of 2025 saw global stocks hit new highs, then pull back, as investor sentiment shifted in an uncertain environment. In this podcast, we discuss the factors affecting performance, how we've positioned portfolios more defensively over the last year, and where we believe the best opportunities may lie in future. While we also address the recent market developments sparked by President Trump's 'Liberation Day' tariffs and our thoughts on what they mean for our portfolios, please note this podcast was recorded on 9 April before the announcement of a pause in tariff increases.

In this portfolio spotlight podcast Sarah Ball, our Investment Specialist, speaks with Nicola Muirhead, Equity Analyst, to discuss the outlook of some long-standing holdings within our portfolio, US cable stocks: Cable One, Comcast and Charter Communications.

Global stocks were up nearly a fifth in 2024 – a second year of double digit returns, with the US and its tech juggernauts being the driving seat of a narrowly led market. However, the imminent return of President Trump, bolstered by a Republican sweep of Congress has caused uncertainty around the ‘MAGA’ agenda, and what the impact will be in the US and globally.   In this podcast, CEO Helen Watson, is joined by Victor Balfour, Global Investment Strategist, and Hugo Capel Cure, Co-Head of Portfolio Management, reflect upon our performance in 2024, and look ahead to 2025.

In this portfolio spotlight podcast Sarah Ball, our Investment Specialist, speaks to Hugo Capel Cure, Co-Head of Portfolio Management, to discuss the decision-making process we use when choosing a company to invest in, including why some businesses do not make the cut.

It has been a year of economic and political upheaval for investors, but what is the outlook for the market as we reach the final months of 2024?  Stock market growth this year has been narrow while core inflation has remained stubbornly high, posing challenges for investors and policymakers alike. In this podcast, Client Adviser Sophie Kilvert, sitting in for Helen Watson, is joined by Victor Balfour, Global Investment Strategist, and Hugo Capel Cure, Co-Head of Portfolio Management, to discuss recent market trends and the performance of some of our holdings.

Host Sarah Ball speaks to Ashish Swarup, Founder of Aikya, to discuss the history of fund, how it chooses its investments and the wider outlook for emerging markets.

The mid-point of the year is a good time to take stock of what has been an eventful few months. Global stock markets have enjoyed double-digit returns since January, but there are concerns that market performance is being driven by just a handful of companies. In this podcast, CEO Helen Watson, is joined by Kevin Gardiner, Global Investment Strategist, and Hugo Capel Cure, Co-Head of Portfolio Management, to review the year so far. We also assess the outlook for the rest of 2024, as interest rates look likely to remain higher for longer, and take a closer look at some of our portfolio companies.

Host Sarah Ball sits down with Equity Analyst Nicola Muirhead to discuss the outlook for Berkshire Hathaway, one of the most eminent and enduring companies in the financial sector.

Markets have enjoyed a strong start to 2024, with global stocks up 8% so far this year. However, inflation remains above target in many major economies, putting pressure on central banks to delay interest rate cuts. In this podcast, CEO Helen Watson, is joined by Victor Balfour, Investment Strategist, and Hugo Capel Cure, Co-Head of Portfolio Management, to assess the outlook for rates this year. Meanwhile, the business cycle has remained in relatively good shape, with growth continuing alongside disinflation. We examine how this backdrop has helped several of our holdings – both return assets and diversifiers – achieve a strong performance in the first quarter.  Correction: at 06:25, we mistakenly say CKPC, when we mean CPKC.

Host Sarah Ball sits down with Equity Analyst Francisco Leal to discuss Constellation Software, a Canadian software company. We examine the company's recent activities and future earnings potential.

Amid stubbornly high inflation, geopolitical tensions and gloomy sentiment, 2023 defied expectations and produced a strong year for investors. In this podcast, CEO Helen Watson, is joined by Victor Balfour, Investment Strategist, and Hugo Capel Cure, Co-Head of Portfolio Management, to discuss the remarkable returns from the ‘Magnificent Seven’ US tech stocks, the trajectory for interest rates and the outlook for investors in 2024.

The bond market has started to become an interesting proposition for investors for the first time in over a decade. As interest rates have risen, so too have the yields offered by previously unfavoured bonds. In this podcast, CEO Helen Watson, is joined by Victor Balfour, Investment Strategist, and Hugo Capel Cure, Co-Head of Portfolio Management, to discuss the growing opportunities in the bond market, the outlook for equities and how fading inflation will impact investors.

Businesses across the world are looking to act in a more sustainable manner, and how they transport their goods has become a key consideration. In this podcast Sarah Ball is joined by Rorrie Mars to discuss the latest addition to our portfolio, Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC). This is a railroad company operating across Canada, the United States and Mexico, which we believe is destined for growth as more companies look for sustainable transport solutions. Switching from road to rail can reduce emissions by 75%, and we believe CPKC has the business model, pricing power and leadership to succeed.

Stubborn inflation and rising interest rates have been the dominant story in the UK in 2023, but will this change in the second half of the year? In this episode, CEO Helen Watson is joined by Global Investment Strategist, Kevin Gardner and Co-Head of Portfolio Management, Hugo Capel Cure to discuss the ‘Magnificent Seven’ tech stocks that have driven market returns so far this year, how our portfolio has fared, and the economic outlook for Britain and the rest of the world. 

With post-pandemic revenge travel still a dominant trend and summer holidays on the horizon, Sarah Ball sits down with Ramesh Rajagopalan to discuss our holding in booking.com, the popular online travel agency. The global pandemic greatly affected the travel sector, but we believe booking.com maintains a competitive advantage and attractive prospects to increase earning power.

2023 started off on a positive note—followed by a few surprises that made the journey a bit bumpy in the first quarter. In this episode, CEO Helen Watson sits down with Victor Balfour and Hugo Capel Cure to discuss the rather interesting Q1, the effect it had on our portfolio, and what opportunities may lie ahead for us.