Despite significant challenges, education has been one of the world’s success stories. Consider the following: in 1820, 88% of the world’s population was illiterate, compared to only 14% in 2016. Between 1970 & 2020, the percentage of adults without formal education went from 23% to less than 10%.
It is 5am and your smart clock alarm sounds earlier than usual. Has it malfunctioned? No, it scanned your schedule and adjusted itself for your 8am flight today. It’s time to get up. The coffee machine starts making your cappuccino. The shower automatically turns on and warms to your preferred 37 degrees. A drone delivers an unexpected package – some medicine. The health sensors around your home detected an impending cold or flu and placed an automatic order. The electric car is ready to go, charged by the solar panels on your roof. As you set off you see a family of flying robots land on top of your apartment block; they have come to clear the leaves blown into the guttering overnight.
Alongside the traditional income ‘engines’ of bonds and equities, the Aegon Diversified Monthly Income Fund has had a significant exposure to alternative investments. This category of assets includes property and what we call ‘specialist income’ which includes infrastructure and renewable energy. In turn, these assets have contributed to the Fund’s successful delivery of income, with 100 monthly distributions since launch on 25 February 2014.
Government bond markets have experienced material volatility year to date, with yields rising to reflect changes in expectation for policy rates globally. Central banks are raising interest rates in response to the continued high levels of inflation being experienced in many countries. At the time of writing the bond markets are already discounting increases in rates to levels not seen since before the financial crisis of 2008. In the UK in particular, bank rate is already at 1%. In the UK, the market is implying through the yield curve that bank rate will peak at around 2.25%, in the US around 3% and in Europe 1.5%. The implied curves are shown below.
In ancient Greece, Hippocrates made early attempts to introduce scientific rigor to the “art” of medicine. Numerous intellectual contributions over the subsequent thousands of years have shaped medicine into the scientific field we know today.
This month Euan Ker, Senior Responsible Investment Associate, tackles topical issues in responsible investing, including defence stock and hydrocarbon investing and how this affects our funds. And Malcolm McPartlin, co-manager of our global sustainable equity strategy, reflects on some changes in the portfolio which have taken place recently.
As a keen driving enthusiast, the future of autos is a subject close to my heart. Put me behind the wheel on an open, winding, country road and I will soon be enjoying myself. But I’m also an autos analyst, and I’m the first to admit that my days enjoying the experience of driving are probably numbered.
The Covid-19 pandemic has undoubtedly disrupted the traditional work model and accelerated what were previously niche workforce trends. So is the world of work changed forever? And if so, what will our future working life look like?
According to the UN, half of humanity (3.5 billion people) live in a city today. This number is projected to increase to 5 billion by 2030 and to almost 6.5 billion by 2050.
By 2050, an estimated 10 billion people will live on Earth. To provide them with a healthy diet, eating habits need to change.