Fidelity

The world is changing rapidly, with three key demographic trends at play: we are living longer lives; we are living better lives; and there are more lives on the planet than ever before. We deep dive into the economic and investment implications of these shifts, outlining some of the areas that appear best placed to reward investors over time.

As shocking events continue to unfold in Ukraine, and sanctions on Russia tighten, the impact on markets and the policy outlook is growing. Fidelity’s Global Head of Solutions & Multi Asset considers the direction of travel for commodities, inflation and policy moves.

As the Ukraine crisis unfolds, Fidelity’s Global CIO Andrew McCaffery reviews recent developments and outlines potential implications for economies, markets and asset allocation decisions.

The shape of economic recovery varies significantly across regions, despite most countries facing the same Covid-19 variants. Here we look at key regional trends forecast by our analysts for the year ahead.

This virtual event is accredited for 1 hour 50 minutes of CISI endorsed structured CPD. To qualify, 75% viewing time is required.

he buzz around the “metaverse” has gone into overdrive as the technology that could make it a (virtual) reality draws closer and internet giants make big bets on its success. But is it all it’s cracked up to be? And does it ‘meta’ for investors?

The most innovative stocks at the forefront of ESG investing have seen their share prices rise by up to 10 times over the last two years, prompting talk of an ESG bubble. Yet, a broader group of less well-owned ESG stocks trade at only a modest premium. Jamie Harvey, portfolio manager of the Fidelity Sustainable Global Equity Fund highlights the growing opportunities in these under-appreciated stocks that offer significantly higher quality and growth prospects.

While domestic consumption of sustainable products remains nascent, Victoria Mio, Director of Asian equities, discusses why China’s exporters are tapping into demand for ‘green’ goods from consumers and businesses around the world.

The medium-term outlook for the current cycle remains healthy and supportive for equity markets. However, there are several near-term risks. Short-term growth momentum is slowing, key central banks are moving towards faster policy normalisation, and there is another wave of Covid-19 forming. 

Risk assets have been supported during 2021 as five key tailwinds peaked, although Fidelity MoneyBuilder Income and Short Dated Corporate Bond portfolio managers Sajiv Vaid and Kris Atkinson believe each of these will trend down as we head into 2022. Against this backdrop, high-quality corporate bonds should offer an attractive prospect for investors looking for a combination of income and safety.

Fidelity Asia Pacific Opportunities portfolio manager Anthony Srom explains why caution and selectivity will be key for 2022. He gives his investment outlook for the region and outlines the pockets of the market which he believes offer attractive upside potential for discerning stock pickers.

Sam Morse and Marcel Stötzel, portfolio managers of the Fidelity European Fund and Fidelity European Trust PLC, outline why they believe Europe could be at the forefront of the next decade of innovation, and why this creates significant opportunities for patient, long-term investors who are will willing to back European innovation and benefit from the leaders of the next decade.

As media headlines focus on China’s evolving regulatory environment, we take a step back and focus on the opportunity set across the broader region. Our investment team debate the outlook and discuss the key factors shaping the economic and investment landscape across India and the ASEAN region.

Alex Wright, portfolio manager of Fidelity Special Situations & Fidelity Special Values PLC, outlines why he remains excited by the opportunities on offer in the UK despite recent market volatility. Within this, he highlights the improving outlook for corporate earnings and profits, particularly among domestic stocks and sectors that were hit disproportionately hard by Brexit and the pandemic.

Fidelity’s Global CIOs debate the outlook for financial markets as we enter the final quarter of 2021. They highlight the key factors we are watching, with a focus on inflation, central bank policy moves and the evolving regulatory environment in China.

Property developer China Evergrande Group’s debt problems have rattled global financial markets. But Fidelity’s Asia Pacific CIO Paras Anand believes comparisons likening this to a ‘Lehman moment’ for China appear overstated, with the Chinese authorities focused on managing long-term economic and societal risks.

UK fixed income portfolio managers Sajiv Vaid and Kris Atkinson review the opportunity set in corporate credit - and highlight why fixed income investors should be cautious of underweighting duration and reaching for yield in the current environment.

While the UK market has looked cheap for some time, the key difference in 2021 is that fundamentals are now improving. Jonathan Winton, lead portfolio manager of Fidelity UK Smaller Companies and co-portfolio manager of Fidelity Special Situations & Fidelity Special Values PLC, discusses how this backdrop is driving a spate of M&A bids which could act as effective catalysts to close long-standing valuation discounts.