FundCalibre - Investing on the go

Hosted by FundCalibre

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Episodes

407

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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About the show

Investing on the go gives you direct access to the people who manage your ISA and pensions savings. Our hosts will be interviewing finance professionals on everything from their successes and failures to current ideas and insights. At meetings, before events and even if we bump into them on the street, we'll grab five minutes with these experts to discuss how your own personal finances could be impacted by topics such as US elections, the move from petrol to electric vehicles, the growth in artificial intelligence and robots, and so much more. Our ultimate goal is to bring to life the world of investments and uncover new and exciting opportunities, all while inspiring you to invest and giving you the confidence and knowledge to make the right decisions. To do this we often ask the managers why they are invested in individual companies. This is for illustration only and should not be taken as a recommendation to buy or sell that stock. The fund manager may or may not still own these companies at the time of your listening. For more investment research visit us at www.fundcalibre.com and follow us on twitter and facebook @FundCalibre

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60 recent

August 5, 202624 min

406. Century bonds, AI debt and the case for staying short

Capital preservation can be just as important as income when investing in bonds. Our interview with Jerry Wharton, manager of IFSL Church House Investment Grade Fixed Interest , examines how a defensive investment-grade bond strategy seeks to preserve capital while providing dependable income for clients. The discussion covers the importance of credit quality, short duration and avoiding the temptation to chase yield through lower-quality or excessively long-dated bonds. It also explores volatility in the gilt market, attractive new sterling issuance and growing concerns around debt issued by major US technology companies. Finally, the conversation considers the difficult outlook for UK inflation and interest rates, before explaining why current sterling investment-grade bonds may offer an appealing combination of income and capital upside for cautious investors today. What’s covered in this episode Capital preservation in bond portfolios Income without chasing yield Why credit quality matters The fund’s AAA allocation Managing interest-rate sensitivity Lessons from the 2022 bond sell-off Volatility in long-dated gilts Government borrowing concerns Attractive sterling bond issuance Heathrow’s recent bond Hyperscaler debt risks The danger of century bonds AI spending and corporate liabilities UK inflation pressures The outlook for interest rates Income and redemption upside Learn more on fundcalibre.com Please remember, we’ve been discussing individual companies to bring investing to life for you. It’s not a recommendation to buy or sell. The fund may or may not still hold these companies at the time of listening. Elite Ratings are based on FundCalibre’s research methodology and are the opinion of FundCalibre’s research team only.

July 29, 202621 min

405. Where Europe’s income opportunities lie

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 also examines regional portfolio positioning, the resilience of European companies amid geopolitical disruption, and selective opportunities in defence. Finally, it considers why share buybacks, improving business fundamentals and more shareholder-friendly capital allocation could strengthen Europe’s total return potential. What’s covered in this episode: Europe’s evolving income opportunity Sustainable dividend growth Opportunities within industrials Electrification and energy security Regional portfolio positioning France beyond domestic politics Southern European banks Falling rates and bank earnings AI adoption in financial services Infrastructure-like utilities Defence spending and valuations Managing geopolitical risk Supply-chain investment The growth of share buybacks Europe’s changing total return story Learn more on fundcalibre.com Please remember, we’ve been discussing individual companies to bring investing to life for you. It’s not a recommendation to buy or sell. The fund may or may not still hold these companies at the time of listening. Elite Ratings are based on FundCalibre’s research methodology and are the opinion of FundCalibre’s research team only.

July 22, 202620 min

404. Has AI left quality investing behind?

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 AI winners. The interview covers US equities, semiconductor leaders, financials, healthcare and medtech, before looking at market valuations, geopolitical risks and the outlook for global equities. What’s covered in this episode: AI and market euphoria Quality versus momentum Dividend growth investing US market outlook Technology opportunities TSMC and AI infrastructure The AI "layer cake" Financial sector opportunities Banks versus exchanges Healthcare and medtech Market valuations Broadening earnings growth Building resilient portfolios Global equity outlook Learn more on fundcalibre.com Please remember, we’ve been discussing individual companies to bring investing to life for you. It’s not a recommendation to buy or sell. The fund may or may not still hold these companies at the time of listening. Elite Ratings are based on FundCalibre’s research methodology and are the opinion of FundCalibre’s research team only.

July 15, 202622 min

403. Higher yields, lower risks? Where bond investors should look now

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 spreads, emerging market debt, financial bonds and the importance of maintaining liquidity. We also explore how hedging strategies are used to reduce portfolio risk without sacrificing return potential, before finishing with an outlook for the remainder of 2026 and where the most compelling opportunities currently lie. What’s covered in this episode: Geopolitics and bond markets Why higher yields matter again Oil prices and inflation outlook Interest rate expectations Credit spreads explained Investment grade versus high yield Financial bonds Emerging market debt opportunities Why South Africa stands out Liquidity in fixed income Hedging explained simply Insurance for portfolios Return outlook for 2026 Learn more on fundcalibre.com Please remember, we’ve been discussing individual companies to bring investing to life for you. It’s not a recommendation to buy or sell. The fund may or may not still hold these companies at the time of listening. Elite Ratings are based on FundCalibre’s research methodology and are the opinion of FundCalibre’s research team only.

July 8, 202620 min

402. The investing story everyone is missing

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 technology revolution, he also shares why the energy transition could remain inflationary, and explores opportunities in emerging markets and fixed income. Finally, we examine how a valuation-driven investment approach helps build resilient portfolios capable of navigating changing market environments and shifting investor sentiment. What’s covered in this episode: Beyond the Trump headlines Populism and structural change Deglobalisation and reshoring The "Pyramid of Needs" for nations Energy security and infrastructure AI's overlooked enablers Why natural gas still matters Greenflation explained Building all-weather portfolios Emerging market opportunities Brazil vs the US Government bond opportunities Inflation-linked bonds (TIPS) US market complacency The return of value investing Learn more on fundcalibre.com Please remember, we’ve been discussing individual companies to bring investing to life for you. It’s not a recommendation to buy or sell. The fund may or may not still hold these companies at the time of listening. Elite Ratings are based on FundCalibre’s research methodology and are the opinion of FundCalibre’s research team only.

July 1, 202615 min

401. The return of growth investing in Japan

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 chains, highlighting its continued leadership in semiconductors, robotics, and industrial automation. Finally, we look at broader structural themes, including demographic change, labour market reform, and Japan’s integration into wider Asian growth. Together, these forces are reshaping the long-term opportunity set for investors in Japan. What’s covered in this episode: Japan’s shifting investor sentiment End of “lost decades” narrative Role of new political leadership Inflation, energy and macro backdrop Style rotation: value vs growth Return of growth investing in Japan Yen depreciation and market impact Japan’s role in global AI supply chains Semiconductor and tech leadership Robotics and industrial automation Structural demographic challenges Labour shortages and immigration policy Corporate adaptation and reform Rise of domestic institutional investors Long-term implications for global portfolios Learn more on fundcalibre.com Please remember, we’ve been discussing individual companies to bring investing to life for you. It’s not a recommendation to buy or sell. The fund may or may not still hold these companies at the time of listening. Elite Ratings are based on FundCalibre’s research methodology and are the opinion of FundCalibre’s research team only.

June 30, 202622 min

400. AI, inflation and the new market regime

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 picture in the UK. The episode also examines central bank policy, M&A activity, and structural shifts shaping regional opportunities. Overall, it highlights how diversification and selectivity remain critical in navigating an increasingly complex and fast-moving investment backdrop. What’s covered in this episode: 400th episode milestone reflections Market volatility and geopolitical tensions Iran conflict and oil price impact Inflation drivers: demand vs supply Central bank policy outlook Broadening global equity returns AI trade and market concentration US vs Asia vs emerging markets performance Japan’s corporate reform and growth story India’s underperformance and drivers UK and European equity markets M&A activity in UK equities Smaller companies valuation opportunity Energy, commodities and sector trends Central bank divergence across regions Learn more on fundcalibre.com Please remember, we’ve been discussing individual companies to bring investing to life for you. It’s not a recommendation to buy or sell. The fund may or may not still hold these companies at the time of listening. Elite Ratings are based on FundCalibre’s research methodology and are the opinion of FundCalibre’s research team only.

June 24, 202617 min

399. The new infrastructure boom

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 strongest growth in decades, where opportunities are emerging across railroads and airports, and why infrastructure may be unfairly labelled as merely a bond proxy. Finally, we examine valuations, the role of emerging markets, and why today’s combination of income, growth and attractive pricing makes listed infrastructure particularly compelling. What’s covered in this episode: Why infrastructure matters in portfolios Defensive returns and downside protection AI-driven electricity demand Data centre growth US regulated utilities Manufacturing reshoring Railroad recovery Airport opportunities Infrastructure vs bonds Inflation protection Real yield risks Emerging market opportunities Current sector valuations Political and regulatory risks Learn more on fundcalibre.com Please remember, we’ve been discussing individual companies to bring investing to life for you. It’s not a recommendation to buy or sell. The fund may or may not still hold these companies at the time of listening. Elite Ratings are based on FundCalibre’s research methodology and are the opinion of FundCalibre’s research team only.

June 17, 202622 min

398. What comes next for China?

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 stabilisation and the potential for improving consumer demand driven by wealth effects and policy support. It also examines sector rotation, AI-driven capital expenditure, and opportunities in property, healthcare, and industrials, alongside the role of valuation, offshore expansion, and long-term capital return trends in shaping market performance and overall investment outlook implications for investors. What’s covered in this episode: China equity sentiment shift AI-driven capital expenditure winners Sector divergence across market Tariffs and earnings outlook Property market stabilisation Industrial, healthcare and consumer themes A-shares vs H-shares dynamics Offshore expansion and margins Capital returns and buybacks Stock picking vs macro themes Learn more on fundcalibre.com Please remember, we’ve been discussing individual companies to bring investing to life for you. It’s not a recommendation to buy or sell. The fund may or may not still hold these companies at the time of listening. Elite Ratings are based on FundCalibre’s research methodology and are the opinion of FundCalibre’s research team only.

May 20, 202627 min

397. Meet the fund finding the next wave of innovation (before the market)

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-driven growth. The managers also explain how they identify “innovation frontiers” where change is already being adopted rather than speculative future trends. From AI infrastructure and semiconductors to life sciences, defence, and industrial automation, the conversation highlights how structural change is creating investable opportunities across sectors, while emphasising valuation discipline, profitability and real-world business quality over hype. What’s covered in this episode: Innovation beyond traditional tech investing The fund’s pioneer, enabler, adopter framework explained How innovation creates investable inefficiencies Why valuation and profitability still matter “Innovation frontier” definition and selection process AI ecosystem opportunities beyond mega-caps Semiconductors, photonics and AI infrastructure Defence tech and geopolitical-driven innovation Life sciences, diagnostics, and biotech tools Industrial automation and machine vision trends RFID and real-world “Internet of Things” applications Overhyped vs under-appreciated innovation areas Medium-sized companies as growth sweet spots Learn more on fundcalibre.com Please remember, we’ve been discussing individual companies to bring investing to life for you. It’s not a recommendation to buy or sell. The fund may or may not still hold these companies at the time of listening. Elite Ratings are based on FundCalibre’s research methodology and are the opinion of FundCalibre’s research team only.