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Will Bartleet, CIO and Portfolio Manager of Pacific Multi-Asset
Opportunities in energy stocks

Energy companies have been in the doldrums for a decade, generating no returns for investors despite generous dividends, whilst global equities have returned nearly 80%. The obvious culprit has been the oil price which is down by a quarter over the same period as the phrase “commodity super cycle” crashed out of the investment lexicon. With the usual enthusiasm to build capacity in the good times, oil companies kept on spending for a full five years after the peak in the oil price. The additional capacity pushed the market into over-supply and the oil price crashed a year later. Not so super. 

In the latest of our Multi-Asset Master Classes, Matthew Lamb, CEO of Pacific AM and Will Bartleet, CIO/Portfolio Manager of Pacific Multi-Asset look back at Q1 2018, discuss the current global investment outlook and what the return of volatility has meant for global equities and bonds. They also discuss how the Pacific Multi-Asset Portfolio is positioned and consider where the opportunities are going forward. 

Will Bartleet, CIO and Portfolio Manager of Pacific Multi-Asset
A winter storm is blowing through markets 

After months of mild weather, a winter storm is blowing through markets. First it was government bonds that sold off as investors finally took the threats of central banks seriously, stirred by signs of rising wage pressure. 

Matthew Lamb, CEO of Pacific AM and Will Bartleet, CIO/Portfolio Manager of Pacific Multi-Asset look back at 2017 and discuss the global investment outlook for 2018. 

Will Bartleet, CIO and Portfolio Manager of Pacific Multi-Asset
Bitcoin: Let’s run through the bubble checklist

As Christmas parties start to fill the diary, there’s one subject everyone wants to talk about: Bitcoin. Blockchain is an innovative technology that creates an electronic ledger secured with cryptography whose applications range from the origination of corporate bonds* to simplifying the process of recording property titles. 

Will Bartleet, CIO and Portfolio Manager of Pacific Multi-Asset
Who will be the next Governor of the Federal Reserve?

One of the most influential leaders in the world will be appointed soon. You won’t have been able to vote for the candidates, nor will any of your neighbours. But don’t worry, the appointment will be decided by a wise leader, the 45^th President of the United States, Donald Trump. Yes soon, we will know who will be the next Governor of the Federal Reserve.  

Will Bartleet, CIO and Portfolio Manager of Pacific Multi-Asset
Opportunities in Eastern Europe

Contrarian investing is often thought of as being like catching a falling knife: looking for assets that are tumbling and heroically buying into them at the bottom. Like all dangerous games, you can sometimes play and look like a hero, but more often than not you come off worse for wear. Our approach to contrarian investing is not to fight the herd, but rather to look elsewhere for great opportunities that are just off most investors’ radar screens.

One equity market that meets this approach is Eastern Europe, comprising of Poland, Hungary and Czech Republic. Not part of Europe, so ignored by European investors, but not big enough to grab the full attention of many emerging market investors. 

Will Bartleet, CIO and Portfolio Manager of Pacific Multi-Asset
UK Paycuts – Thanks for your hard work, here's a pay cut

Imagine walking into your manager’s office at the end of a good year and your boss smiles and awards you a pay cut. This is exactly what has happened to workers in the UK this year. Whilst wages have risen 2.1%, inflation is running at 3.6% so in real terms, the average worker is 1.5% poorer than they were last year. Prior to 2008, workers’ pay exceeded inflation by 2.5%, so every year people ended the year better off than they started it. Since then real wage growth has been negative, so on average, after inflation, UK workers are earning less than they were nearly 10 years ago. 
 

Will Bartleet, CIO and Portfolio Manager of Pacific Multi-Asset
The 3-6-3 Rule

Bank managers used to operate on the 3-6-3 rule: borrow at 3%, lend at 6% and be on the golf course by 3pm. Ultra-low interest rates and QE has pushed down the spread between the cost of borrowing and lending which has had a detrimental effect on their net interest margins. Rising bond yields relieve this pressure, and this combined with far fewer fines, an easing of the regulatory environment and cost cutting means that earnings are growing again. 

Will Bartleet, CIO and Portfolio Manager of Pacific Multi-Asset
Mayday

Politics has not lost its power to bamboozle pollsters and surprise markets. What was meant to be an opportunity to secure a strong conservative majority, now looks like a seriously rash move. Theresa May’s conservative government has been forced to attempt to form a coalition with the Democratic Unionist Party to secure a parliamentary majority. If they fail to reach an agreement, there is every possibility that the UK voters will be back at the polling stations later in the summer.