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Will Bartleet, CIO and Portfolio Manager of Pacific Multi-Asset
Unlocking value in Japanese companies 

Assets that offer asymmetry, where the upside potential is greater than the downside risks are the holy grail of investing. Sometimes these are found in unlikely places; one such opportunity lies within the Japanese stock market. In these uncertain times, let’s start with the downside protection. This comes in the simplest form possible: lots of cash on company balance sheets. Japanese companies have been hoarding cash for 30 years after the traumatic experience of the bubble bursting in the early 1990’s. In a world of high corporate debt, more than half of Japanese companies have net cash on their balance sheet. 

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 discuss how recent moves in the market have seen bond and equity markets falling in tandem. Although the recent fall has felt sudden, Will discusses the three risks that he identified last quarter that in fact have been building over the last six months. They also discuss market opportunities and how the Multi-Asset portfolios are positioned.  

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 discuss what is currently driving markets and the impact of Trump, Trade Wars, BREXIT and more. Will explains why he believes having plenty of 'dry powder' is key and discusses how the portfolios are currently positioned. They also discuss the recent record moves in Technology Stocks and the influence of the FANGs on US Equities. 

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.