Francis Muyshondt

“Focus on quality. Anticipate four structural trends that will dominate our lives in the years to come. Hyper-growth stocks are not recommended at this time because of the sharp rise in valuations. And be cautious about equity and bond markets.”

This is the message from Jan Viebig, Chief Investment Officer of Oddo BHF AG, who said that he is pleased that the four multi-asset funds in the Polaris range are now available on the Belgian market. 

JP Morgan Asset Management looks at a globally diversified portfolio from different angles in order to achieve a better allocation. Global investing is a must. The source of equity returns is becoming less beta-driven. Active investing is now more appropriate, and themes can provide the necessary alpha. And the digital revolution continues unabated. 

“Avoid the extremes of the market: deep value stocks and expensive growth stocks. It is in the latter segment that the greatest danger lies, given the strong dominance of retail investors. Cathie Wood with its ARK ETFs is a perfect example of this. Good risk management is important in all areas of fund management. And, of course, sustainability criteria are crucial.”

Investors today should keep China in mind, according to US asset manager Capital Group. CEO Robert Lovelace (photo) and fund manager Christopher Thomsen, agree that understanding the country means looking into its past. China has has undergone a profound transformation, greatly increasing investment opportunities.

There’s no reason to worry about the recent rise in interest rates and the threat of inflation. The important thing is to select companies that somehow have, or will have, the wind in their sails. Banks, tech companies and companies that will benefit from the infrastructure boom are particularly attractive now, according to Joakim Ahlberg, portfolio manager of the North American Stars Equity fund at Nordea Asset Management.

Positive returns on investment-grade bonds have been hard to come by in the West. The Nordic market is one of the few exceptions, says Michael Weidner, head of European fixed income for global asset manager Lazard Asset Management. He especially likes Danish mortgage bonds.

‘Nordic bonds are a market segment with high credit quality, high liquidity and some extra yield without additional risk,’ he says. For Weidner, this market is one of the ultimate safe havens for risk-sensitive bond investors.

Emerging market debt is perfectly placed to benefit from the economic recovery that will follow the current lockdowns. Especially local high-yield bonds are in a sweet spot, says Capital Group’s Luis Freitas De Oliveira.

Juan Nevado, manager of the M&G (Lux) Dynamic Allocation Fund, is convinced time has come for a major rotation towards value stocks. He has aligned his tactically managed portfolio as such, while almost completely avoided US tech.

It’s outlook time: asset manager are presenting their investment outlooks for 2021. Lombard Odier’s Chief Investment Officer Stéphane Monier (photo) makes it concrete by listing the institution’s 10 most important investment convictions and ideas for next year. Emerging markets get an important place, but hedging risks remains important too.

Many technology companies have risen to dominance in a relatively short space of time, with legislators struggling to keep up the speed. Large investors should do their bit by constantly reminding these companies of their responsibilities, say Jon Guinness (photo) and Sumant Wahi, managers of Fidelity International’s Global Communication Fund.

The pair spoke out on this digital ethics in the margin of the annual (now virtual) Sustainable Investment Week of sustainability label Luxflag.