310. Investment strategies for uncertain times

David Coombs, manager of Rathbone Strategic Growth Portfolio, explains the funds LED (liquidity, equity risk and diversifiers) framework and gives an overview of all areas of the portfolio today and the fund’s positioning. From dissecting geopolitical influences to analysing sectors like defence, MedTech, and retail, David provides valuable insights into the thought process behind managing a diversified multi-asset portfolio in today’s market.What’s covered in this episode: What is the LED framework?What’s your view on inflation at the moment?How has the fund’s positioning changed to combat persistent inflation?When should investors expect rate cuts?Why government bonds over corporate bondsThe return of the 60/40 portfolioHow does geopolitics influence the fund?Why the fund has its lowest weighting to UK equities since launchThe growing importance of MedTechWhy defence companies look attractiveThe appeal of Next and CostcoWhat type of holdings make up the ‘diversifiers’ bucket?More about the fund: The Rathbone Strategic Growth Portfolio focuses not only on returns, but also on risk and correlation. Manager David Coombs uses a disciplined asset-allocation framework, and a forward-looking assessment of correlation, risk and return, as the cornerstone of the investment process. Asset classes are then divided into three distinct categories – liquidity (those that can be bought and sold easily), equity risk and diversified.Learn more on fundcalibre.comPlease 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.