The fourth quarter will test that discipline again. The U.S. midterm elections and two live Fed meetings before year-end will generate plenty of noise on their own. Central bank decisions in Europe and Japan, the ongoing wars in Iran and Ukraine, trade agreements and tariffs, and Brazil’s October election will add to it.
Our views are anchored by our five core convictions:
1. Growth remains resilient and economic expansion should continue. We expect continued growth, while inflation and labor-market conditions keep pressure on policymakers to tighten. Good growth does not guarantee easy markets, but it gives investors a reason to consider staying invested.
2. AI is broadening, not ending. The next phase will increasingly focus on who monetizes AI and who benefits from the enormous investment required to build and deploy it. We will focus on companies that can convert investment into stronger businesses and higher earnings.
3. Higher rates change the portfolio math. Bonds still have a role, but investors should not assume duration will automatically provide either strong returns or protection from equity volatility. The investment regime has changed, and portfolios need to reflect it.
4. Diversification needs to diversify. Owning more assets is not enough. We want exposures with genuinely different economic and market sensitivities, including commodities.
5. Static portfolios are increasingly inadequate. Markets, policy, correlations and potential opportunities change. Portfolios should change with them.