Stewardship activities, like engagement and voting, are increasingly seen as effective tools for promoting corporate accountability, enhancing long-term value, and driving sustainability. In the first episode of our engaging five-part series on Shareholder Stewardship, Caroline Le Meaux, Global Head of ESG Research, Engagement, and Voting, and Andriy Boychuk, Head of EM Research, delve into the crucial role of shareholder stewardship in advancing corporate sustainability through proactive engagement with issuers and responsible voting at annual general meetings. They provide a comprehensive understanding of why active stewardship is essential for ensuring long-term resilience and sustainable returns. Additionally, they also share best practices by highlighting real-world case studies from interactions with issuers and review the outcomes of Amundi’s 2023 engagement and voting season. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

After many months of build-up and speculation, the 2024 US election is almost here. Over the past few weeks, financial markets have become increasingly focused on the candidate’s platforms and what these might imply for the economy and markets. How could markets react to Trump and Harris’ different proposals on taxation, trade and immigration? Swaha Pattanaik and Monica Defend, Head of Amundi Investment Institute, sit down for their regular catch-up and examine the different policies, how these are driving markets and what investors should look out for once the winner is announced.   Further afield, this edition also considers the different impacts the US election results may have on the rest of the world, particularly China, especially if the new president announces a new wave of tariffs. Will China’s recent policy shift committing to fiscal and monetary stimulus reverse their economic slowdown and how will this play out in the markets? Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Focus over the past month has been fixed on central bank policy, most particularly on the Federal Reserve. Their September meeting finally brought the Fed’s first rate cut in four years. What are the core points for investors to note? Swaha Pattanaik and Monica Defend, Head of Amundi Investment Institute, unpack all the elements to look at the data, the market expectations, the surprises, and what might be next for the other central banks.   The episode continues with a review of the movements in the equity markets as we continue to see large divergences in valuations. We also turn to China, as markets anticipate it might emerge from a period of gloom with a new fiscal stimulus package that could be a gamechanger. Finally, we look at the bond markets and how the differences in this economic cycle requires a flexible approach to fixed income. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

This August financial markets went on a rollercoaster ride. Stock markets started the month with huge declines and soaring volatility, before recovering towards month end. What lessons should investors take away from this summer’s events, as the market jitters continue into September? Swaha Pattanaik and Monica Defend, Head of Amundi Investment Institute, catch us up on recent events and discuss what might be in store in the jam-packed end to year.   They take a closer look at some of the factors driving markets as the importance of fundamentals is back in focus. Finally, Monica shares our views on the major bond, equity and foreign exchange markets and explains why our growth and inflation projections remain unchanged. Discover the article : https://research-center.amundi.com/article/global-investment-views-september-2024 Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

A lot has happened in global economies, markets and geopolitics in the last six months. This outlook special looks back at what has happened in 2024 to date, how this has impacted markets, and what we should expect for the second half of the year. Swaha Pattanaik and Monica Defend, Head of Amundi Investment Institute, discuss why they think the current environment really is “all about confidence”. Uncertainty looks set to continue and the major global economies and regions are likely to remain on different growth paths. In this environment, Monica explains what the next developments could mean for investment, and why investors should be focusing on selectivity and solid convictions to build resilient portfolios. They also discuss which geopolitical risk factors we are particularly focused on for investing in both the short- and medium-term. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

It’s been a busy month for central bank interest rate decisions, but while the European Central Bank, the Bank of Canada and Swiss National Bank have chosen to cut rates, the Federal Reserve is still pondering the timing of its next move. Swaha Pattanaik and Monica Defend, Head of Amundi Investment Institute, catch-up to discuss the latest indications from policymakers, particularly following this week’s ECB Sintra Forum. They also look at how much domestic politics have been driving financial markets following the results of the elections in Europe, and as we wait the final outcome in France and the UK.   As approaches to monetary policy continue to divergence on each side of the Atlantic and the geopolitical environments remain uncertain, they examine how all these events feed through into our investment convictions. Discover our main views on the different asset classes and regions and the key themes to look out for this month. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Three factors are driving today’s global markets; economic growth, inflation and the outlook for monetary policy. Central banks are increasingly dependent on data and inflation remains their chief cause of concern. It is becoming clear that divergences are opening up in policy and outlook in the US and in Europe. On one side a clear path has appeared, where on the other, this path is still surrounded by uncertainty.   Swaha Pattanaik and Monica Defend, Head of Amundi Investment Institute, sit down to discuss how these aspects feed through to markets and investment convictions and take a closer look at the different asset classes. What do these mean for equity valuations, sectors and regional divergences? How does the higher-for-longer scenario impact the credit markets? They also take a closer look at Japan and why it has been attracting a huge amount of international interest in recent months. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Our capital market assumption forecasts look more closely at the themes that shape the financial market landscape and aim to help steer investors over the medium to long-term. This year the publication considers how climate delays and productivity gains from artificial intelligence are likely to drive a reordering of asset class profiles and the role played by geopolitical tensions.Swaha Pattanaik catches up with Monica Defend, Head of Amundi Investment Institute and John O’Toole, Head of Multi Asset Investment Solutions, to find out what’s changed in the assumptions since last year and how these feed into the return forecasts. They discuss our base scenario for energy transition and the impacts of artificial intelligence and how all these complex elements might influence GDP, inflation and asset class returns. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

The uncertainties faced by financial markets over the recent months have been making forecaster’s lives difficult. The two big questions over growth and inflation continue to preoccupy. Swaha Pattanaik and Monica Defend, Head of Amundi Investment Institute, discuss what’s been catching their attention over the past month and how these factors are influencing projections. Can the US economy maintain the resilience shown so far and will growth continue on an upward trend? How sticky will inflation prove to be? This month discusses how these two elements are crucial to understanding the next steps for the Federal Reserve and, consequently, market direction. It also looks at how these factors are playing out across the different regions and asset classes.Read The Global Investment Views of the month (https://research-center.amundi.com/article/global-investment-views-may-2024) Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Recent weeks have seen gains in the Magnificent Seven with rallies spreading across other sectors and US and European equities setting record highs. But how much longer can the equity markets keep rising and what has been driving this climb? Giulio Lombardo and Monica Defend, Head of Amundi Investment Institute, take a closer look at the reasons behind this upsurge and whether we should expect a reversal soon. Also on an upward trajectory this month was gold. They discuss what’s been going on. This edition also returns to the big question for markets, interest rate cuts, and whether a summer rate cut is still on the cards for the Fed. Will other central banks follow the Fed’s lead or are they plotting their own course? This month’s edition concludes with an update on fixed income and emerging markets, what recent moves have meant for these asset classes and where investors should be looking for opportunities. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.