Outerblue

Global markets are being shaped by a fast-moving geopolitical backdrop, with rising tensions in the Middle East and uncertainty around the Strait of Hormuz adding to volatility across rates, credit and equities. In this episode of Outerblue Convictions, host Swaha Pattanaik speaks with Monica Defend, Head of the Amundi Investment Institute, about how the team is interpreting the latest moves in macro and bond market volatility, and what this means for portfolio allocation.They discuss why bond yields have risen so sharply, how uncertainty around energy supply and inflation is feeding through to central bank expectations, and why the shape of the yield curve matters as much as the level of rates. Monica explains that steepening, meaning a wider gap between short- and long-dated maturities, has become a key signal as bond markets reassess policy, growth and fiscal risks. The conversation also covers the latest views on the European Central Bank, the Bank of England and the Federal Reserve, and why the medium-term case for yield curve steepening remains intact even if the tactical picture is less clear.The discussion then turns to equities, where resilience has held up surprisingly well but may face pressure from higher rates, valuation sensitivity and rising debt-service costs. Monica also assesses the UK market through the lens of credibility, fiscal discipline and term premium, drawing comparisons with Italy’s past experience in bond markets. Concise, timely and highly relevant, this episode offers practical insight for investors navigating a more volatile and differentiated environment.Topics covered: geopolitics, Strait of Hormuz, bond yields, yield curve steepening, short maturities, long maturities, central bank policy, European Central Bank, Bank of England, Federal Reserve, inflation, energy prices, sovereign bonds, bond market volatility, equities, valuations, debt service costs, fiscal credibility, term premium, United Kingdom, ItalyHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Long-term investing looks very different in a world defined by ruptures, from geopolitical fragmentation and strategic competition to artificial intelligence, demographic change and shifting currency dynamics. In this episode of Outerblue Talks Research, host Swaha Pattanaik speaks with Monica Defend, Head of the Amundi Investment Institute, and John O’Toole, Global Head and CIO of Solutions, about Amundi’s latest Capital Markets Assumptions (CMA) report and what it means for investors over the years ahead.They explore why the current environment is no longer just a series of temporary shocks, but a deeper structural change in the investment landscape. Monica explains how persistent inflation, strategic autonomy, energy security and industrial policy are reshaping the macro backdrop, while John highlights the growing importance of currencies, fiscal conditions and a more selective approach to portfolio construction.The discussion continues with a closer look at how ruptures will impact expected returns across fixed income, equities, credit, gold and private assets. Bonds are regaining their role as a source of income and diversification, while equities still offer attractive long-term potential, albeit with more dispersion across regions. The conversation also examines why artificial intelligence is both a growth opportunity and a source of higher concentration risk, and why gold and private markets are becoming more strategic in long-term portfolios.Concise, timely and highly relevant, this episode offers valuable insight for investors and asset allocators seeking to navigate a new market environment defined by structural ruptures. Tune in for expert perspectives on resilience, diversification, selectivity and the themes likely to shape returns in the decade ahead.Thank you for listening to the latest Outerblue Talks Research, read the full Capital Market Assumptions paper on the Amundi Research Center: https://research-center.amundi.com/article/capital-market-assumptions-2026Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Market Analysis and Investment Views by Outerblue ConvictionsMarkets have remained surprisingly resilient despite a fast-moving news cycle, rising geopolitical tensions and growing uncertainty around the outlook for growth and inflation. In this episode of Outerblue Convictions, host Swaha Pattanaik speaks with Monica Defend, Head of the Amundi Investment Institute, following the IMF spring meetings in Washington to discuss the structural shifts now shaping markets and what they mean for investors.They examine the implications of a more fragile global backdrop, including the impact of geopolitical risk on oil prices, inflation persistence and central bank policy. Monica shares why the ECB and the Fed may need to keep rates higher for longer, while the Bank of Japan remains an exception. They also explore what markets may be underestimating, from the risk of a new geopolitical regime, to the potential for a disorderly repricing of US assets.The discussion continues with a look at fixed income, equities, gold and the US dollar, as well as the importance of selectivity, quality and diversification in portfolios. With markets still pricing in optimism despite stretched valuations and persistent uncertainty, Monica explains why investment views may need to extend beyond traditional assumptions and prepare for a more demanding investment environment.Concise, timely and highly relevant, this episode offers valuable insight for investors and asset allocators looking to understand the key macroeconomic, geopolitical and market themes shaping the second half of the year. Tune in for expert perspectives on asset allocation, central bank policy and the role of diversification in a changing world.Thank you for listening to the latest Market Analysis and Investment Views, read our latest articles on the Amundi Research Center: https://research-center.amundi.com/ Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

The war in Iran has shaken markets and is threatening the stability of the global economy. As energy prices surge and the news flow comes thick and fast, this month’s host, Silvia Di Silvio, speaks to Monica Defend, Head of the Amundi Investment Institute, to hear her thinking on the crisis and how it is changing Amundi's investment views. They take a closer look at what the war means for inflation, both in the near and longer-term, and when a temporary supply shock might turn into a more permanent change to the economic regime. They also consider the potential reactions from central banks as policymakers try to manage this complex environment of higher inflation, due to energy prices, combined with weaker growth. The edition continues with a focus on the US dollar, which has been faring relatively well in the current crisis. Do we expect this to be the end of the USD downward trajectory? Finally, we wrap up with a review of how these developments are impacting our asset allocation and portfolio construction views and the importance of smarter, multi-layered diversification in building resilient portfolios.Concise, insightful and timely, this episode is essential listening for investors and asset allocators seeking a clear, expert take on macro-economic signals and monetary policy moves. Tune in for practical perspectives, investment views and the themes that will shape portfolios in the short and medium-term. To learn more, read our latest articles on the Amundi Research Center: https://research-center.amundi.com/ Topics covered: Energy crisis, conflict, Iran, inflation, monetary policy, investment views, asset allocation, risk, economy, geopolitics, central banks, Federal Reserve, markets, investors, interest rates, equities, United States, USD, diversification, gold, hedging,Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

As tariffs figures once again hit the headlines, our new episode of Outerblue Convictions measures the feeling in the markets and looks at some of the main drivers over the past few weeks. Swaha Pattanaik speaks to Monica Defend, head of the Amundi Investment Institute, to gauge her reaction to the latest round of tariffs, and whether these impact our investment views.This month's episode looks at the switch we've seen in global markets in this new era of controlled disorder, analyses some of the disruptions from AI that are already starting to play out, and explores some of the diversification opportunities that can be found in this fragmented environment. We also discuss whether we can expect the gold rally to continue, why India remains a key investment theme, and we finish by looking forward to the upcoming EU summit and why it might be relevant for markets.Concise, insightful and timely, this episode is essential listening for investors and asset allocators seeking a clear, expert take on macro-economic signals and monetary policy moves. Tune in for practical perspectives, investment views and the themes that will shape portfolios in the short and medium-term. Topics covered: Market forecasts, monetary policy, policy making, investment views, asset allocation, economy, central banks, gold, markets, investors, equities, bonds, fixed income, Europe, India, emerging markets, AI, diversification, tariffs,Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

After a flurry of headlines and announcements from the annual World Economic Forum in Davos in January, one key message is likely to survive after most of the speeches have been long-forgotten; The world is facing a rupture in the international order.  Catching-up last week on her return from the meetings, Monica Defend, head of the Amundi Investment Institute, sat down with our host, Swaha Pattanaik, to share her observations from the ground and on how this rupture is likely to impact our economic research and investment views.As policy, geopolitics and volatility drive the market cycle, we look at what this means for the monetary policy outlook in the US and the key data driving forecasts. We consider some of the short and medium-term trends we're seeing in the markets, particularly gold and the forces driving the record highs, what's been impacting the US dollar, and examine what has been happening in the Japanese market, both for foreign exchange and government bonds.Concise, insightful and timely, this episode is essential listening for investors and asset allocators seeking a clear, expert take on macro-economic signals and monetary policy moves. Tune in for practical perspectives, investment views and the themes that will shape portfolios in the short and medium-term. To learn more, read the article on the same topic: https://research-center.amundi.com/article/diversification-response-ruptureTopics covered: Market forecasts, monetary policy, policy making, investment views, asset allocation, economy, Davos, geopolitics, central bank, Federal Reserve, Japan, Gold, markets, investors, interest rates, bonds, fixed income, FX, foreign exchange, United States, diversification Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

It's the time of year to look ahead, reflect back on what has happened, and make resolutions for the coming year. After explaining our market forecasts and investment views for 2026 in last month's podcast, in this episode we're focusing more closely on a key factor that drives market movements, monetary policy. Sitting down with Monica Defend, Head of the Amundi Investment Institute, for the last time this year, our host, Swaha Pattanaik, asks all the essential questions to help investors understand the different expectations for monetary policy decisions in the months to come and which resolutions are realistic. Starting with the largest, the Federal Reserve, we explore the baseline scenario, we analyse the competing pressures and how the Fed is responding.  We then compare this to the outlook in the Eurozone and our expectations for the ECB in 2026 in terms of interest rate movements. Finally, we compare these potential developments to our portfolio positioning in fixed income and equities and discuss some of the fragilities investors need to keep in mind.Concise, insightful and timely, this episode is essential listening for investors and asset allocators seeking a clear, expert take on macro-economic signals and monetary policy moves. Tune in for practical perspectives, investment views and the themes that will shape portfolios in the year ahead.Topics covered: Market forecasts, monetary policy, policy making, investment views, asset allocation, economy, central bank, Federal Reserve, European Central Bank, growth, GDP, markets, investors, inflation, interest rates, bonds, fixed income, equities, United States, Europe, emerging markets, diversificationHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this month's podcast, we take a longer view than usual, as we look at our market convictions and investment views for the next 12 months. Join our host, Swaha Pattanaik, for her regular catch up with Monica Defend, Head of Amundi Investment Institute, for a whistle-stop tour around the world and across asset classes to discover the key talking points from Amundi's 2026 Investment Outlook. After a year of dramatic market moves, geopolitical events and economic developments, what should investors expect for 2026? We look at the central questions that are shaping our investment views and decision making. In particular, how much impact will AI have on market growth next year and what companies and sectors will be the likely winners? What's the growth and monetary policy outlook for the major global economies? How will threats to central bank independence play out in the markets and will investors continue to diversify away from US assets? We explore the diversification theme and some of the interesting stories for investors to follow in emerging and private markets and the energy transition, among others. Concise, insightful and timely, this episode is essential listening for investors and asset allocators seeking a clear, expert take on cross‑market signals. Tune in for practical perspectives, investment views and the themes that will shape portfolios in the year ahead.Topics covered: Investment outlook, market forecasts, policy making, investment views, asset allocation, economy, growth, GDP, markets, investors, inflation, interest rates, monetary policy, equities, gold, United States, Europe, Japan, central bank, AI, diversification, Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Returning from trips to major summits in Washington and Shanghai, Monica Defend, Head of the Amundi Investment Institute, sits down with our host, Swaha Pattanaik, to discuss the tone on the ground and how this compares to what we're seeing in the markets and our own economic forecasts for the months to come. These international gatherings are a prime opportunity to hear, first-hand, the thinking of financial officials, policymakers and investors. This month's edition shares the key takeaways and our investment views in light of these observations.They take a closer look at the risks to watch and the drivers behind the curious coexistence of record equity and gold rallies. They revisit the Europe transformation story that has been emerging, and assess whether it's still attracting interest from investors as a diversifier. They also take a tour to China and Japan and examine what the latest economic and political developments mean for their respective growth and monetary policies. Concise, insightful and timely, this episode is essential listening for investors and asset allocators seeking a clear, expert take on cross‑market signals ahead of Amundi’s 2026 outlook. Tune in for practical perspectives, investment views and the themes that will shape portfolios in the months ahead.Topics covered: IMF, policy making, investment views, asset allocation, economy, growth, outlook, GDP, markets, investors, inflation, interest rates, monetary policy, forecasts, equities, gold, United States, Europe, China, Japan, central bank, tech rally, diversification, strategic autonomy, Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

While Europe headed to the beach, journalists were kept busy with the newsflow out of the US this summer, as central bank independence, new tariff announcements and foreign affairs negotiations continued to make headlines.Swaha Pattanaik and Monica Defend, Head of Amundi Investment Institute, return to their desks to catch-up you up on what all the developments mean for market outlook and how our investment views are evolving to keep pace. This episode takes a closer look at the shifting undercurrents in the US market: tariffs, labour figures, policy and inflation uncertainty. We dig deeper into how the current political pressures are effecting markets, in particular the current challenges to the Federal Reserve's independence and the moves on the US Treasuries yield curve. We also take a closer look at valuations in the US equities markets and see how the Indian and Chinese economies have been holding up against the new tariff announcements.Topics covered: Investment views, markets, forecasts, US economy, US dollar, central banks, Federal reserve, interest rates, monetary policy, tariffs, yields, equities, fixed income, treasuries, GDP, India, China,Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

With summer well underway in Europe, many may be on holiday, but this hasn't done anything to slow the newsflow. In particular, announcements from the US are keeping analysts busy. Swaha Pattanaik and Monica Defend, Head of the Amundi Investment Institute, get together to work out what the latest developments mean for the markets and share their investment views for growth, inflation and asset valuations. With a new US budget agreement and continued threat of new tariffs we debate their impact, both realised and potential, on growth and inflation in the US and elsewhere. The independence of central bank decision-making has also been a big topic of the month as the Fed has been facing continued political pressure over its interest rate decisions, which is rattling US assets. What might be the consequences for the US dollar and US treasuries? Finally, we look at whether this earnings season is offering any early warning signs of things to come and we drill down into our investment views and outlook for the main asset classes and markets. Topics covered: investment views, markets, macroeconomics, central banks, Fed, growth, inflation, interest rates, tariffs, US budget, US dollar, US treasuries, fiscal policy, monetary policy, economic forecasts, emerging markets, Asia, equities, fixed income, credit, earnings, Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

The first six months of 2025 brought many unexpected events and shocks that rocked financial markets and complicated the task of economic forecasters. As we enter the second half of the year, what has changed and what might this mean for the economic outlook for the rest of 2025?Swaha Pattanaik sits down with Monica Defend, Head of the Amundi Investment Institute, to get her view on the growth and monetary policy outlook for the remainder of 2025. They discuss the impact of tariffs and geopolitical shifts on growth prospects in the US, China and beyond. They consider which areas might benefit from a weaker US dollar and where yield curves might be heading next. Finally, they examine the areas of resilience in the markets that could still offer opportunities to investors. Topics covered: Investment outlook, macroeconomics, forecasts, monetary policy, growth, interest rates, yield curves, bonds, equities, emerging markets, US dollar, China, US, Europe, Fed, debt, valuations, stock market, tariffs, geopolitics, volatility, AI, defense, Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Join our host, Swaha Pattanaik, as she sits down for her regular catch-up with Monica Defend, Head of the Amundi Investment Institute, to give our perspective on the markets, analyse the trends and share our investment views for the weeks ahead. In this month's review, we discuss what's been driving the rise in yields on longer maturity US and Japanese bonds in recent weeks. Do we expect this trend to continue and what does this mean for fixed income markets more broadly? We also consider the outlook for inflation and monetary policy in the major economies around the globe, look more closely at the US market in particular, and examine how the uncertainty around tariffs has been impacting the equity markets. Finally, we drill down into the areas and asset classes that could be most appealing to investors, across developed and emerging markets.Topics covered: Investment views, investment convictions, financial markets, macroeconomics, monetary policy, fiscal policy, inflation, growth, interest rates, central banks, fixed income, yields, US, Japan, equities, bonds, emerging markets, tariffsHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

The spring meetings in Washington are a useful platform to gauge opinion of policymakers, economists, bankers and investors from around the world. In this latest edition of our monthly investment views podcast, Monica Defend, Head of Amundi Investment Institute, catches up with Swaha Pattanaik on her return from the US to share Amundi’s latest investment views and talk about the mood in Washington, and what this might mean for the markets. They discuss the impacts of US tariffs and the retaliatory measures on the global economic outlook, looking particularly at the consequences for growth and inflation expectations. They also consider what’s next for central bank moves and Amundi's forecasts for interest rates.  Finally, they wrap up with the main convictions for some of the major global currencies, as well as the equity markets and some of the big things to watch in emerging markets.Topics covered: Investment views, global outlook, growth, inflation, forecasts, economics, equities, tariffs, US, Europe, emerging markets, Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Against a backdrop of extraordinary global uncertainty, Amundi's 2025 capital market assumptions report explores the game changers that are shaping investment decisions and asset class return expectations. Join Giulio Lombardo as he speaks to Monica Defend, Head of the Amundi Investment Institute, and John O’Toole, Head of Multi-Asset Investment Solutions, to discover this year's main findings and what's changed since last year. Identifying three major themes for this year, Amundi's 2025 capital market assumptions takes a closer look at new socio-economic scenarios with their higher geopolitical fragmentation and tariffs, it explores the impact of a delayed transition to net zero, and assesses the impact of artificial intelligence at a regional level.  We dig deeper into these big transformative trends, including the macroeconomic and technological shifts, more frequent extreme climate events, and a slow transition, and look at how they are impacting our expectations for long-term returns for different asset classes globally. We also analyse how they're affecting long-term projections for growth and inflation.  Finally, we look at how these developments may drive investment opportunities, particularly in Europe, and how investors can adjust their strategic asset allocation to incorporate these return expectations in their portfolios. Topics covered: markets, investment, economic, finance, capital market assumptions, return expectations, forecasts, trade, inflation, growth, GDP, central banks, Europe, tariffs, portfolios, asset allocation, equities, fixed income, emerging markets, real assetsHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In the fifth and last episode of our series on Shareholder Stewardship, Caroline Le Meaux, Global Head of ESG Research, Engagement, and Voting, and Edouard Dubois, Head of Proxy Voting, engage in a dynamic conversation on voting at annual general assemblies and how it is most effective when coupled with engagement with companies. Dialoguing with companies is very important in the voting activity: it can lead to improvements in companies strategies before or after the AGM has taken place. This episode will explore what proxy voting is, and why it is important in an overall stewardship strategy of an asset manager. Many themes will be touched upon, including board compensation, Say on Climate resolutions, and filing shareholder resolutions to accelerate improvements in the climate strategy.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

The market roller coaster continues. After riding a wave of optimism in Europe in the wake of the German fiscal bazooka to increase defense spending, the confirmation of US tariffs sent markets suddenly plunging. What will be the economic impact of Trump’s approach to trade and tariffs? Swaha Pattanaik and Monica Defend, Head of the Amundi Investment Institute, sit down for a special edition of Outerblue Talks Research to discuss the latest market and economic developments and what these mean for investors. We untangle some of the consequences and probable reactions, in the short, medium, and longer term. What will be the impacts on supply chains? How will GDP growth and inflation be impacted? Will we see a recession in the US and what will be reactions from the Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank? Finally, we detail some of our main calls for investors looking to increase portfolio resilience in this uncertain market environment.Topics covered: markets, investment, economic, finance, volatility, tariffs, trade, inflation, growth, GDP, central banks, US, Europe, Trump, portfoliosHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In the fourth episode of our five-part series on Shareholder Stewardship, Esther Law, Senior Investment Manager, Emerging Markets Debt and Responsible Investing Lead, and Luda Svystunova, Head of Social Research, engage in a dynamic conversation on shareholder engagement on social cohesion - linking human capital and human rights engagements to responsible investors financial considerations, as well as client and societal responsibilities of issuers. The engagement agenda on social issues continues to expand as new challenges and opportunities for companies and investors emerge in response to societal, regulatory and technological shifts. In this episode, the discussion centers on Amundi’s stewardship on social issues, the materiality and interlinkages between human capital and human rights, as well as their relationship to climate. Additionally, it also focuses on the impact that technology, especially artificial intelligence, is having on the companies’ responsible conduct agenda and how this is factored into our engagement process. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this month's review of the latest developments on the global economy and in financial markets, we focus on the seismic shifts that have been happening in Europe in the past few weeks, in particular, the historic spending package approved by the German parliament.  Swaha Pattanaik and Monica Defend, Head of Amundi Investment Institute, catch-up to discuss the remarkable change in policy, and its implications for Germany and the wider Eurozone. Will the rally in European markets continue and what opportunities does this open up on the equity and fixed income markets? The episode continues by examining the monetary policy outlook in Europe and how this compares to the projections for US growth. Finally, we look at whether the Chinese stimulus package announcement has changed our view on the economic and market outlook for China. This month's topics: Germany, Europe, Defense spending, Markets, Growth, Inflation, Equity, Fixed income, US, China, Monetary policy, Interest rates Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Less than 2 months back in the White House, US president Donald Trump has packed in a great deal; Shifts in policy, tariffs, federal employment, not to mention a huge change in approach to foreign policy. This month, Swaha Pattanaik sits down with Jonathan Duensing, Head of Fixed Income at Amundi US, and Mahmood Pradhan, Head of Global Macro with the Amundi Investment Institute, to try to guide us through the present uncertainty in the markets. They examine how these different issues have been affecting the US economy as a whole, and fixed income markets in particular and explore where investors can find the best opportunities at the moment. How long will the current pain last, and when and where will the promised gains be realised? They discuss the extent to which the roadmap given during the election campaign has changed and how this is impacting market growth. Will Trump succeed in reducing government spending and what challenges will he face? They finish by drawing on their wealth of experience in previous crises to give their view on whether the current crisis is any differentand what it might mean for fixed income investors.Topics: Fixed income ▪ Markets ▪ Bonds ▪ Investment ▪ Finance ▪ Research ▪ US economy ▪ Tariffs ▪ Trade ▪ Analysis ▪ Growth Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In the third episode of our five-part series on Shareholder Stewardship, Molly Minton and Julien Foll, both Senior Analysts and Co-leads on Nature at Amundi, engage in a dynamic conversation on shareholder engagement on biodiversity - linking nature-related engagements to the financial considerations of responsible investment.  More than half of the world’s GDP depends on natural resources and pressures on biodiversity and ecosystems present acute risks for investors and society at large. This episode will explore how Amundi uses the framework of the planetary boundaries as a tool to identify key engagement priorities around nature to encourage corporates to better address nature related impacts and risks within responsible investment while also capturing new business opportunities.Topics: Responsible investment ▪ ESG ▪ Stewardship ▪ Engagement ▪ Nature ▪ Biodiversity ▪ Natural Resources ▪ Research ▪ Investment insights ▪ Corporate responsibility Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Our monthly podcast providing our latest investment views and market analysis. After an eventful month trying to keep up with the breaking news, not least the debut of new AI model Deepseek, concerns over Trump’s tariff proposals, and European security concerns, Swaha Pattanaik and Monica Defend, Head of Amundi Investment Institute, sit down to reflect on what all these events mean for the markets. Find out what is driving the equity and fixed income markets and whether we can expect the current gold rush to continue. What were the outcomes of the Munich Security Conference? Have tariffs impacted China’s growth prospects? Where is the US dollar likely to go next? This jam-packed episode takes a look at all the major market events of the month and how these impact our investment views.This month's topics: Investment views ▪ Market analysis ▪ Equity ▪ Fixed income ▪ emerging markets ▪ Trump ▪ Tariffs ▪ Gold ▪ China ▪ currency Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Each year, Amundi and CREATE interview pension plans to highlight topics shaping the pension ecosystem. As pension investors transition to a new regime, this year, one question is at the top of everyone’s minds: where will the returns come from? The 2024 survey takes a closer look at two of the potential answers in this search for good risk-adjusted returns: private markets and Asian emerging markets. Sofia Santarsiero, Head of Institutional Business Solutions & Innovation, talks to Professor Amin Rajan, CEO of CREATE Research, the co-author of the report, to find out more about how and why pension funds’ attitudes to these two asset classes are changing. They discuss the preferred ways for pension funds to invest and what has been driving, or constraining, allocations.Topics: Pensions ▪ Retirement ▪ Private markets ▪ Private assets ▪ Emerging markets ▪ Asia ▪ Market analysis ▪ Research ▪ Finance ▪ surveyHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In the second episode of our five-part series on Shareholder Stewardship, Aaron McDougall, Head of Climate & Ciaran Callaghan, Head of European Equity Research engage in a dynamic conversation on shareholder engagement on climate - linking climate engagements to responsible investors financial considerations. They also discuss Amundi’s commitment to playing its part in achieving the objectives of the Paris Agreement, by helping clients willing to take climate risks and opportunities into account within their investments. They emphasize how Amundi engages with issuers to together achieve a pragmatic transition for the decarbonization of supply chains, products & portfolios, balancing the imperatives of both climate and investors. Finally, they explore best practices in climate engagements and voting, drawing on real-world case studies from Amundi’s interactions with issuers.Podcast topics: Responsible investment ▪ Climate ▪ Engagement ▪ Equity ▪ Investor ▪ Energy transition ▪ Supply chains ▪ portfolio Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

2025 got off to a dramatic start with an unexpected jump in bond yields. What has been driving this move and do we expect it to continue? Swaha Pattanaik and Monica Defend, Head of Amundi Investment Institute,  share their investment views and explain what’s been happening in the US and UK and explore what these mean for our growth and interest rate forecasts. We also look closer at what potential policy shifts from incoming US President Trump, and the associated international response, could mean for the markets.Topics of this episode: Investment views ▪ Market analysis ▪ Fixed income ▪ Bonds ▪ US ▪ UK ▪ economy ▪ Growth ▪ Interest rates ▪ ForecastHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

After a campaign full of twists and turns, November saw the re-election of Donald Trump for a second term as US president. In this edition, we take a look at the geopolitical and economic ramifications of a new Trump presidency. Swaha Pattanaik sat down at the end of November with Anna Rosenberg, Head of Geopolitics at the Amundi Investment Institute and Paresh Upadhyaya, Director of Fixed Income and Currency Strategies, Amundi US, to discuss what lies ahead for the USA and the rest of the world. Beyond the attention grabbing threats of tariffs, what are the realistic expectations for trade policy and how is China likely to react? How might Trump’s second term differ from his first and what clues can we gain from his cabinet and staff appointments? Our experts examine these questions and what this might mean for the US economy in terms of inflation and interest rates and where we might expect surprises.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In the past few weeks, economists have been busy writing their predications for what might lie ahead of us in the next 12 months. This year, the task was made harder by the US elections, the strong chance of a shift in policy, and the potential spill over to other regions. Swaha Pattanaik and Monica Defend, Head of Amundi Investment Institute, discuss what has been happening in the markets as they ride the “Trump wave”, and whether we can expect this to continue. What will be the consequences for Europe and China if a new round of tariffs are implemented, and are we going to see a return to the currencies wars of 2010?Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

This episode returns to the topic of artificial intelligence. Since we last covered this topic earlier in the year, there have been even more advances in what generative AI can do and ever increasing interest in how AI can be used across the corporate value chain. Swaha Pattanaik is joined by Ben Lucas, Chief Executive Officer of Amundi Technology, to talk all about how AI has been shaking up the corporate landscape. They dig into whether there’s been a shift in sentiment towards AI, particularly on how long it will take to see return on investment. They also discuss the impacts across society from us as individuals right up to the role of governments. What are the risks to consider and the geopolitical challenges? To conclude, they look at what we should expect in the next wave of developments.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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 on 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 on 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 on 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-2024Hosted on 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 on 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 on 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 on 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 on 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 Hosted on 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 on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

The last month has, to a large extent, seen a reversal in investors’ expectations for central bank actions. This has been the hot topic for financial markets over the past few weeks as these expectations filter down into financial data and continue to drive asset prices. However signs of a slowdown are appearing. What factors will be most important to judge market direction going forward?  Swaha Pattanaik and Monica Defend, Head of Amundi Investment Institute, discuss the state of play and whether the current market sentiment has changed Amundi’s own views. They talk about what’s driving the interest rate cuts as well as the timing and likely sizes of the cuts in the major global economies. They cover what these changes mean for Amundi’s investment convictions across asset classes and regions, and finish by discussing the FX markets and where investors could look for opportunities.Discover the related article: click hereHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Advances in artificial intelligence have unleashed a new wave of technological revolution, one that promises a torrent of disruption across both financial markets and our daily lives. The speed of transformation has sparked widespread concern, not least about the impact it could have on jobs across a whole range of sectors. As demand surges and generative AI is said to reach the “tipping point” of mainstream adoption, Swaha Pattanaik sits down with Annalisa Usardi, Senior Economist at Amundi Investment Institute, and Bastian Drut, Head of Thematic Macro Strategy at CPR Asset Management, to discuss the transformative impact of the technology and its implications for economies in the short and longer term. They take a closer look at the impact AI might have on productivity, growth and the labour markets, when and where this will most be felt, and how AI might ultimately be a positive development for addressing demographic challenges.Click here to discover more on this topic.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Promoting social mobility and equality of opportunity remains a pressing concern for many countries, challenging the very fabric of our society. Hence, understanding the perceptions and representations of equal opportunities is essential to catalyse collective action and support corrective measures. A survey conducted by the OECD with the support of Amundi across 27 OECD countries delves into the perceptions and attitudes surrounding inequality and explores what truly matters for the population in the fight for equal opportunities. In this podcast, Romina Boarini, Director of the OECD WISE Centre, reveals the survey’s main outcomes on the different aspects of inequality, the factors that are seen as playing a major role in climbing the social ladder as well as on the role that different actors are expected to play in reducing inequality and the type of policies and actions that could be prioritised.Read more : https://research-center.amundi.com/article/exploring-perceptions-equal-opportunityHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

We may only be a few weeks into 2024, but the markets have been anything but quiet. After a rocky period at the end of the year, bonds and equities eventually returned to positive territory in January, with the notable exception of China. Central banks remain centre stage, as markets continue to speculate over their next steps. Swaha Pattanaik and Monica Defend, Head of Amundi Investment Institute, talk over the different forecasts for the next few months and why inflation expectations might prevail over growth when it comes to the timing of interest rate cuts. They also discuss how geopolitical risks might impact some of the main economic indicators. They take a closer look at demand in US and China and the factors that are driving their respective economies. Finally, Monica explains how these factors filter through to Amundi’s current investment convictions, detailing the main views on equities, fixed income, currencies and emerging markets.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Asia faces distinct and complex challenges when it comes to the energy transition as it looks to balance economic development with the necessity to transition to a low carbon economy. The continent is home to around 60% of the world’s population and has significant exposure to the physical risks of climate change, seen in severe floods and heatwaves. At the same time, it also has extensive and affordable renewable energy resources, which gives the continent a unique opportunity to develop its economy using these vast resources.  In this podcast, we look at the role of investment in advancing the energy transition in Asia and talk to some of Amundi’s experts across Asia to learn more about the responsible investment trends, initiatives and policy developments happening in their regions. We also discuss some of the main challenges that need to be overcome and the trends for investors to look out for in the months ahead. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In our last Convictions podcast of the year, Swaha Pattanaik and Monica Defend, Head of Amundi Investment Institute, sat down last week to discuss whether any of the recent policy comments or economic data publications might have impacted our main calls for 2024. Are we aligned with the general consensus on when to expect interest rate cuts? What are our expectations for rates by the end of 2024? Persistent inflation levels means patience may be required. They continue the discussions with a focus on Japan, as the country is following a different economic pathway. What are the expectations for the Bank of Japan and what might this mean for investors? The podcast finishes with a look at the themes and regions that might offer potential investment opportunities in fixed income, equities and in emerging markets over the next few months. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

A special edition of Amundi’s monthly Convictions podcast focusing on the outlook for developed markets in 2024. The theme of renewed global disorder has been a topic of conversation for some years, emerging from a convergence of ideological, economic, political and technological transitions. These transitions spread uncertainty on a global scale and have a knock-on effect on how and when policymakers react. 2024 will be a year of transition, of turning tides, in growth, inflation and monetary policy.    Swaha Pattanaik and Monica Defend, Head of Amundi Investment Institute, take a closer look at Amundi’s outlook for 2024 and what this new global disorder means for markets and investments. What are the main expectations for 2024 in terms of growth across the main regions? When should we expect central banks to start cutting rates? They also discuss some of the main investment risks from the ongoing geopolitical uncertainty and its implications for asset allocation. They finish by taking broader look at some of the investment opportunities that may arise from longer term themes. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

This emerging markets outlook special edition looks ahead to 2024. While a slowdown is expected in developed markets, emerging markets (EM) are likely to prove more resilient next year with the growth premium over developed markets continuing to widen.  Swaha Pattanaik speaks to Vincent Mortier, Amundi’s Group Chief Investment Officer and Yerlan Syzdykov, Global Head of Emerging Markets at Amundi to find out what’s in store and why 2024 is expected to be a year of two halves for emerging markets. They discuss what the forecasts might mean for EM equities, hard and local currency fixed income and FX. They take a closer look at the prospects for the Asian superpowers of China and India and consider which regions and countries might benefit or lose out amid increased global fragmentation and the critical issue of energy transition.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Against the backdrop of recent escalation of tensions in the Middle East, Swaha Pattanaik and Monica Defend, Head of the Amundi Investment Institute, sat down earlier this week to discuss the big themes that are dominating markets. In addition to the ongoing geopolitical risks, they spoke in depth about recession concerns as well as how much they expect the U.S. and European economies to slow. This month’s podcast finishes with a look at the outlook for fixed income and equities and some of the challenges for which investors need to watch out.  Discover more on the article:  https://research-center.amundi.com/article/global-investment-views-november-2023 Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Payment habits have evolved dramatically over the last few decades. The use of cash has been shrinking for some time, but this phenomenon was rapidly accelerated by the Covid crisis. In parallel, technological advances have seen the use of digital currencies become more popular amongst consumers and cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin become household names. In response to this dramatic rise in the use of decentralised money, many central banks have been exploring the launch of their own central bank digital currencies (CBDC). Join Swaha Pattanaik and Tristan Perrier, Macroeconomist & Investment Insights Specialist with the Amundi Investment Institute, as they delve into the world of CBDCs. What are they exactly and why are they being developed? They take a closer look at the development of CBDCs around the world and examine some of the risks and implications of this type of digital currency, as well as their potential benefits.    Discover CBDCs: where do the projects and debates stand? https://research-center.amundi.com/article/cbdcs-where-do-project-and-debate-standHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Autumn made a hasty arrival to Europe in mid-September and it was accompanied by a multitude of monetary policy meetings. The current tightening cycle has seen plenty of interest rate hikes. But this new round of meetings show how central banks appear undecided on their next steps in light of the mixed signals coming from their economies. What will this cautious stance from central banks mean for the world’s economies?  Swaha Pattanaik and Monica Defend, Head of Amundi Investment Institute, sat down earlier this week to discuss the expectations for growth in major economies in the coming months. They talk about the possible implications of the recent spike in energy prices and what we should expect for interest rate policies around the world for the rest of the year. This month’s episode finishes with a look at the outlook for fixed income and equities and some of the challenges for which investors need to watch out.  Discover more on the article:  https://research-center.amundi.com/article/global-investment-views-october-2023 Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

For many, September has a back to school feel about it after a long break and is often the chance for a bit of a refresh. This summer, markets certainly weren’t on holiday, as August saw corrections and volatility, whilst there was also further softening in economic data, particularly in Europe and China.  Swaha Pattanaik and Monica Defend, Head of Amundi Investment Institute, catch-up to discuss the key economic developments that emerged over the summer and the outlook for the next few months. How will policymakers react as they continue to balance fighting inflation against economic slowdown? Is the resilience seen in the US likely to continue and what are the growth and inflation expectations for the major global economies? They also examine what these forecasts would imply for portfolios across the different asset classes.  Discover more on the article:  https://research-center.amundi.com/article/global-investment-views-september-2023Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.