Infrastructure investments are a structural growth driver that represents a key pillar of the economy. They also play a critical role in safeguarding the provision of basic services and achieving a successful energy transition. You can incorporate this theme into your own portfolio from a sustainability perspective through the Schroders Capital Semi-Liquid Global Energy Infrastructure fund.

The environment remains challenging for global financial markets. After years of exceptionally expansive monetary policy, investors now face a combination of higher interest rates, persistent inflation and major geopolitical uncertainties. This difficult context is responsible for considerable fluctuations on the capital markets and is increasingly putting traditional portfolio approaches to the test. In an environment like this, attention switches to investments with stable cash flows, defensive characteristics and structural growth prospects. When it comes to capital preservation, predictable income and robust portfolio construction, dividend stocks and infrastructure investments are attractive portfolio building blocks.

There has been an increasing number of reports in recent weeks that various indices have reached new record highs. Swiss equities, US equities, the gold price, the silver price… the list goes on and on. Given this situation, does it make any sense to invest at the moment? Or should we be waiting for the next correction to get in at lower prices? We explain why now is still a good time to invest.

After a brief period of positive yields, interest rates on savings accounts and term deposits in Swiss francs have returned to near zero. Investors earn little to no return on their liquidity, while a gradual loss of purchasing power persists. In this publication, we outline how available liquidity can be deployed profitably and in a risk-optimised manner even in the current environment. Specifically, we present solutions that allow investors to achieve returns of around 2 to 3 percent in Swiss francs with a manageable level of risk.

Our Investment Office thinks equities will be an especially attractive asset class over the coming months – a view now embedded in its Tactical Asset Allocation. While mandate clients need not worry about implementing this assessment, those who take care of their investments themselves face a continuous stream of new challenges. Should an allocation be implemented via direct investments or investment funds? Should the focus be regional or global? In this publication we take a closer look at a global equity fund.

The leading economic indicators painted a chiaroscuro picture in August. The US central bank (Fed) remained unmoved and stuck to its restrictive monetary policy. This combination triggered quite a rollercoaster ride for stock markets. Our basis scenario is still unchanged: we remain overweight in equities.

The attention of the investment community is gradually turning to the US elections. The first TV debate confirmed existing expectations of the quality of the candidates. Away from the cameras, rates of inflation continue to develop constructively. Both equities and bonds have benefited from this development. Swiss investors have experienced something of a headwind given the stronger Swiss franc.

The third quarter of 2023 was characterised by turbulence of varying kinds. Further rises in key interest rates weighed on bond investments and the likelihood of an economic downturn acted as a drag on equity prices, while at the start of October the terror attacks in Israel dragged geopolitics back to centre stage.