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The Bank of England’s inflation forecast looks like a triumph of hope over reality

June 10, 2022

Who’d be a central banker today? Once, they were the masters of the universe, bravely slaying the dragon of inflation and slashing interest rates to save the economy in times of peril. Today, they seem powerless to control inflation, says Ruffer LLP’s investment director Steve Russell.

Who’d be a central banker today? Once, they were the masters of the universe, bravely slaying the dragon of inflation and slashing interest rates to save the economy in times of peril.

Today, they seem powerless to control inflation. Fearful of raising interest rates too far, they issue hollow calls for wage restraint. No wonder Andrew Bailey, Governor of the Bank of England, admitted to MPs recently that “It’s a very, very difficult place for us to be in.”

How Hong Kong is leading the way with social needs and sustainability

June 7, 2022

With a rich tradition of philanthropy, Hong Kong is well positioned to lead Asia in addressing social needs and navigating sustainability, says Christine Ho, deputy global head of FamilyOfficeHK at Invest Hong Kong.

Coupled with a rich tradition of philanthropy and its existing role as a global center of business and commerce, Hong Kong is well positioned to lead Asia in addressing social needs and navigating sustainability as well as families’ succession.

Hong Kong has a rich tradition of philanthropy. Both the public and private sectors have been front and center in addressing social challenges throughout history.

Key reasons why investor interest in private markets continues to grow

June 6, 2022

Investors continue to increase exposure to private markets, including private equity and private credit, at the expense of their public market equity and fixed income allocations. So, what is driving this behaviour asks Darren Spencer of Russell Investments?

Investor interest and participation in private markets continues to grow. Indeed, investors continue to increase exposure to private markets, including private equity and private credit, at the expense of their public market equity and fixed income allocations. In fact, CEM Benchmarking noted there was an average allocation to private markets of 18.5% in 2020, which represents an increase of nearly 5% since 2012 [1]. So, what is driving this investor behaviour?

Investors need to look beyond the conventional for real returns

May 20, 2022

Financial markets – with their twists and turns and unknowability – remind us just how hard it is to predict the future and just how wonderful perfect foresight would be, says Ruffer LLP’s Duncan MacInnes.

In the Back To The Future trilogy, the bad guy is a bully called Biff Tannen.

The megalomaniac mogul amassed his wealth because his older self travelled back in time to give his younger self the Grays Sports Almanac, a compilation of every sports result from 1950 to 2000. So Biff was able to earn a spectacular fortune from sports betting.

Financial markets – with their twists and turns and unknowability – remind us just how hard it is to predict the future and just how wonderful perfect foresight would be.

Making the right philanthropic impact with Deanne Weir

May 18, 2022

KPMG’s Philanthropists in Action case study series looks at the impact made by Australian investor, entrepreneur and gender-equality activist Deanne Weir.

This profile is a part of KPMG’s Philanthropists in Action case study series, which examines a number of emerging trends across the philanthropy landscape, as the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) agenda and creating social impact climb the priority list of family offices and ultra-high net worth individuals (UHNWIs) around the world.

Empowering women through capacity-building with Atalanti Moquette

May 12, 2022

KPMG’s Philanthropists in Action case study series looks at the impact made by Atalanti Moquette, philanthropist and founder of Giving Women.

Taking back control? Demise of the deflation machine

May 5, 2022

Globally, inflation is likely to be higher and more volatile. Inflation risk, an absent adversary throughout the careers of most investors today, will need to be priced once again, says Ruffer LLP’s Jamie Dannhauser.

In the late 1970s, the world was on the cusp of radical change. The ‘Deflation Machine’ was being born. Deng Xiaoping, having outmanoeuvred Mao Zedong’s preferred successor, began the process of reforming China’s moribund economy. In the West, liberal, free-market ideals were gaining traction, ideals that underpinned the subsequent regime of rapid, disinflationary global growth.

Why should you invest in Asia through Hong Kong?

April 27, 2022

Hong Kong is increasingly attracting global family offices who want to grow their investments in Asia, particularly Mainland China, says Christine Ho, deputy global head of FamilyOfficeHK at Invest Hong Kong.

Hong Kong is increasingly attracting global family offices who want to grow their investments in Asia, particularly Mainland China. According to Campden Wealth’s Global Family Office Report 2021 (the Report) [1], setting up an office in the city provides easier access to investments in the region.

The East continues to grow at a fast pace

Do conventional bonds still deserve a place in portfolios?

April 21, 2022

Inflation-linked bonds are a key defence in a world of deepening negative real yields, says Jasmine Yeo, investment manager at Ruffer LLP.

What was the real return on the US ten-year bond over the past two years? Flat? Down a little?

Wrong – down a lot. The bedrock of the balanced portfolio has delivered a real return of -20% over the past two years [1].

That’s the worst inflation-adjusted performance since 1981 [2].

Traditional balanced portfolios rely on equities and bonds fulfilling their roles – equities for good times, bonds to cushion the bad. But after a torrid three months for markets, investors are being forced to tear up the rulebook.

Disruptive thinking: The path to continuous transformation in family businesses

April 21, 2022

No one is better equipped to take the reins of transformational leadership than family businesses, says KPMG partner Tom McGinness.

When I look back at the unpredictability of 2021, I’m reminded that the pandemic was a stimulus for some disruptive and transformative innovations in medicine, technology, buying behaviour, entertainment and personal fitness that have had a seismic impact on the way we live and work.