Higher interest rates are here to stay but that is not necessarily a bad thing, according to BNY Mellon Investment Management chief economist Shamik Dhar. In fact, investors should embrace resulting volatility as it is likely to create asset allocation opportunities, he says.

Following the fastest, most aggressive rate hikes seen in a generation, Real Return manager Andy Warwick believes we’re in for a decade of price instability, heightened geopolitical risks and volatility. But investment opportunities remain.

Clients’ spending plans are a pivotal input to retirement planning, but rarely clear. We explore why estimates miss the mark and how advisers turn uncertainty into workable strategies.

Multi-asset is arguably the least homogeneous investment fund class. The last decade or so has seen an explosion of strategies, ranging from the “no frills” to the downright exotic. With such an assortment of options on offer, we’ve put together a seven-point checklist to help advisers sort the good, the bad and the ordinary.

Clients’ spending plans are a pivotal input to retirement planning, but rarely clear. We explore why estimates miss the mark and how advisers turn uncertainty into workable strategies.

New developments in artificial intelligence (AI) could herald a ‘third epoch’ of technological development, transforming lives and creating myriad new investment opportunities, according to Siuchoon Koay, research analyst in the Newton Investment Management equity research team.

After sluggish job growth in 2025, investors are looking for signs that the labor market may be stabilizing. With consumer spending driving 70% of economic activity, an improving labor market is essential to sustaining economic growth.

The collapse of Silicon Valley Bank has thrust the banking sector back into the headlines. Fifteen years on from the GFC, the industry is once again attracting the scrutiny of nervous regulators and investors. “Plus ça change” one might be tempted to say.

Walter Scott’s John Rae assesses outsourced drugs manufacturer Lonza’s role in the healthcare ecosystem.

Paul Flood, Head of Mixed Assets discusses developments in multi-asset and how these themes might play out in the year ahead for investors.

Recent jobless claims data point to a resilient U.S. labor market, with both initial and continuing claims remaining low and signaling that unemployment is still contained. Although job growth has softened and remains subdued, March’s job growth of 178,000, the highest since 2024, is encouraging. Our constructive outlook still holds despite continued uncertainty related to the war in the Middle East.

Multi-asset investing has come a long way since the days when the 60% equity – 40% fixed income portfolio was the only game in town for diversification-seekers.

Volatility has picked up as the conflict in the Middle East enters its second month. Higher oil prices are increasing inflation uncertainty and raising questions about global growth.

In this week’s Market Watch Shamik  Dhar explores the recent boon of bond markets and bond yields, attributing this to  the markets realisation  interest rates will stay higher for longer. Moreover, Shamik Dhar teases his extensive research piece, Tidal Forces, on long term real interest rates. Find out more.

Markets are reacting to the Middle East conflict with sharp moves across asset classes, signaling broad risk repricing and shifting safe‑haven behavior. While volatility is elevated, fundamentals like earnings growth continue to support our constructive outlook.

Rising bond yields are attracting increasing interest from multi-asset investors despite wider fears about inflation and the potential for economic recession, says Newton head of mixed assets investment Paul Flood