FundCalibre - Investing on the go

European equities have long appealed to income investors, but the opportunity is becoming broader than dividends alone. Stuart Brown, co-manager of the BlackRock Continental European Income fund, joins us to discuss improving earnings and dividend growth across industrials, banks and utilities, alongside the structural themes supporting them, including electrification, energy security and supply-chain investment. The discussion als...

Artificial intelligence has fuelled exceptional market performance, but it has also created opportunities in overlooked areas of the global equity market. In this episode, Sam Witherow, co-manager of the JPM Global Equity Income fund, discusses why high-quality companies have lagged despite strong fundamentals, how dividend investing can still capture technology-led growth and where the most attractive opportunities lie outside the...

Geopolitical tensions, inflation fears and shifting interest rate expectations have created a challenging backdrop for bond investors. Dickie Hodges, manager of the Nomura Global Dynamic Bond fund, discusses why these periods can also create attractive opportunities, how rising yields have transformed the outlook for fixed income, and why today’s market looks very different from a decade ago. The conversation covers credit sp...

In this episode, we explore the structural changes reshaping global markets and why politics is only part of the story. The discussion examines how deglobalisation, higher interest rates and renewed focus on energy, defence and industrial policy are changing investment opportunities. Alec Cutler, manager of the Orbis Global Balanced and Global Cautious funds, looks beyond the headline AI winners to the companies enabling the techno...

This episode focuses on Japan’s changing market dynamics and why investor sentiment appears to be shifting after decades of stagnation. Richard Kaye, manager of the Comgest Growth Japan fund, discusses the return of domestic confidence, renewed consumer and corporate activity, and the growing role of institutional capital in supporting equities. We also explore Japan’s position within global technology and AI supply cha...

In this special 400th episode, we take a broad look at global markets at the halfway point of the year. The discussion between Darius McDermott and Juliet Schooling Latter covers easing geopolitical tensions, inflation dynamics, and the continued influence of AI on equity returns. We explore the broadening of market performance beyond the US, with strength in Asia and emerging markets, alongside challenges in India and a mixed pict...

Infrastructure is no longer just about dependable income and downside protection. Peter Meany, manager of the First Sentier Global Listed Infrastructure fund, explains how the asset class is benefiting from powerful structural growth drivers, including AI-driven electricity demand, digital infrastructure expansion and the reshoring of manufacturing in the US. He also discusses why regulated utilities are seeing some of their strong...

This episode explores the current state of Chinese equity markets, focusing on shifting sentiment, policy developments, and the widening divergence between sectors. Dale Nicholls, manager of the Fidelity China Special Situations Trust, highlights how domestic regulation, energy price pressures, and global AI investment trends are reshaping opportunities for investors. We also cover tariffs, earnings revisions, property stabilisatio...

Innovation is often associated with headline-grabbing tech giants, but this episode reveals a far broader opportunity set across global markets. Graeme Bencke and Mikhail Zverev, co-managers of the WS Amati Global Innovation fund, introduce the fund’s disciplined framework that categorises companies as pioneers, enablers and adopters of technological change, and explain how each play a distinct role in capturing innovation-dr...

Markets are often driven less by logic and more by emotion, and that pattern hasn’t changed despite decades of evolution in investing tools and technology. Nick Clay, manager of the TM Redwheel Global Equity Income fund, joins us this week to explore how cycles of greed and fear continue to shape market behaviour, and why volatility is returning after years of unusually stable conditions. We discuss inflation, AI-driven disru...

With geopolitical tensions rising and inflation concerns returning, bond markets are facing another major test. Rhys Davies, manager of Invesco Bond Income Plus (BIPS), joins us to discuss why high yield bonds have remained surprisingly resilient, how spreads are behaving and whether markets are becoming too complacent about risk. The conversation also explores portfolio positioning in uncertain conditions, the importance of divers...

In a volatile and often unpredictable market, finding reliable returns is becoming increasingly challenging. This episode explores a defensive, multi-asset approach with SVS RM Defensive Capital manager Dr Niall O’Connor. This fund looks beyond traditional equities and bonds, focusing instead on overlooked, under-researched opportunities. From high-yield bonds and discounted investment trusts to commodities and frontier marke...

This episode explores the changing investment landscape in Japan and why it may be entering a new era of growth. With deflation ending, wages rising and corporate governance improving, companies are being pushed to deploy capital more efficiently. We’re joined by Alison Henry, investment specialist in Japanese equities from Baillie Gifford, this week who highlights opportunities in mid-cap innovators, the growing influence of...

This interview examines how escalating geopolitical tensions are influencing the UK equity market and investor sentiment. Rising energy prices and disrupted supply chains are expected to feed through into inflation and interest rates, creating headwinds for more cyclical areas of the market. Alex Wright, manager of Fidelity Special Values Trust, explores how the portfolio is being adjusted in response, including changes to exposure...

Today’s guest, Richard Sennitt, manages three Elite Rated funds: Schroder Asian Alpha Plus, Schroder Asian Income and Schroder Oriental Income Trust. He shares his approach to navigating investment opportunities across Asia. The interview explores the impact of AI on semiconductor manufacturing and tech enablers, the growth potential in financials and insurers and the evolving dividend culture in markets like Singapore, Korea...

Take a deep dive into European equity investing, focusing on how a disciplined blend of quality, valuation and momentum can drive consistent long-term returns. Alexander Fitzalan Howard, manager of JPMorgan European Growth and Income Trust, explores how earnings revisions act as a key signal for stock performance, alongside insights into sector opportunities such as banks, infrastructure and smaller companies. We also examine the i...

In this special bonus episode, recorded amid heightened market volatility, Darius and Juliet explore how escalating geopolitical tensions are reshaping the investment landscape. With energy markets at the centre, we explain why disruptions in the Middle East matter so much for global supply, inflation and interest rates. The discussion also covers why traditional defensive assets like gold have struggled, what alternatives investor...

This interview explores how investors can generate consistent and growing income without sacrificing long-term capital growth. Paul Flood, manager of BNY Mellon Multi-Asset Income fund, discusses the evolving importance of income in retirement planning and how a multi-asset approach can provide diversification across equities, bonds and alternatives. We examine how shifting market conditions, including inflation, interest rates and...

Asia and global emerging markets delivered strong returns in 2025, but the big question is whether the rally can continue. We’re joined by Patrick Garvin, the client portfolio manager for the Invesco Asian and Invesco Global Emerging Markets fund. This episode explores the key forces shaping the outlook for the region, including earnings growth driven by the AI cycle, the impact of a weaker US dollar and changing policy dynam...