Aberdeen Standard

1 May 2020
Revolutionising central banking: why 'helicopter money' is the right policy for our times
Revolutionising central banking: why 'helicopter money' is the right policy for our times

The speed, depth and breadth of the coronavirus recession is unprecedented. Policymakers cannot avert the near-term pain. But they can limit the permanent scars from this crisis through bold and decisive action.

8 April 2020
Perspective on a pandemic
Perspective on a pandemic

Financial markets are attempting to price in a rapid and unprecedented series of shocks to the world economy. The net result has been the fastest bear market in the history of equities. Should investors buy or sell even at these depressed levels for the FTSE100?

8 April 2020
Five reasons to keep the faith in China - Copy
Five reasons to keep the faith in China

Amid the coronavirus pandemic and oil price war, our A-share team urges investors to consider why China's stock market is outperforming right now.

31 March 2020
Emerging markets in the time of novel coronavirus
Emerging markets in the time of novel coronavirus

Emerging markets (EMs) are not immune to coronavirus-induced global market shocks.

20 March 2020
Panic-selling creates opportunities in Europe
Panic-selling creates opportunities in Europe

The coronavirus situation is developing rapidly. Italy is in lockdown, confirmed cases are rising across the rest of Europe and the US, and there is a huge global effort to contain the virus. On Thursday last week, European shares suffered their biggest one-day plunge since 1987. Panic appears to have gripped markets.

20 March 2020
Coronavirus: looking to the long term
Coronavirus: looking to the long term

In assessing the threats posed by the coronavirus outbreak, governments, central banks, companies and investors must consider scenarios that range from short-lived disruption to a persistent threat with profound implications. All that’s certain is that coronavirus will have a significant impact on the global economy and financial markets – in the short term at least.

20 March 2020
Podcast: Coronavirus – where from here?
Podcast: Coronavirus – where from here?

Coronavirus - where have we got to, and how do we see the economic and market landscape from here? After a turbulent few weeks in markets, Richard Dunbar talks to Katy Forbes, Head of Absolute Return in our Multi-Asset Team and Jeremy Lawson, our Chief Economist and Head of the ASI Research Institute.

4 March 2020
Outlook for UK equities
Outlook for UK equities

The UK equity market is one of the longest-established equity markets in the world. A FTSE listing is seen as a badge of honour for companies worldwide. And yet, as we continue into 2020, UK equities can lay a reasonable claim to being one of the most misunderstood asset classes. This offers a compelling opportunity for long-term investors.

4 March 2020
Private markets in a new world
Private markets in a new world

The world is rapidly changing. Three forces will shape the future: technology, demographics and sustainability. The cost of such a transformation will not be cheap. However, private markets are uniquely placed to help fund and build this new world – creating numerous opportunities for investors.

4 March 2020
Week in review: From epidemic to pandemic?
Week in review: From epidemic to pandemic?

Coronavirus continues to cast a dark shadow over the global economy, as the number of new cases outside China continues to accelerate.

4 March 2020
Letter from Hong Kong: We outline our view on the coronavirus and how it impacts China's economic and market outlook.
Letter from Hong Kong: We outline our view on the coronavirus and how it impacts China's economic and market outlook.

Wuhan is capital of China’s Hubei province and the epicentre of the current outbreak of novel coronavirus COVID-19. The virus is understood to have originated in a seafood market in the city.

19 November 2019
Emerging markets – investing beyond the headlines
Emerging markets – investing beyond the headlines

It’s been a bumpy – but ultimately positive – start to the year for emerging markets (EM). Investors had a lot to digest, from the volatile US-China trade war to numerous elections around the world. The questions are: what do we expect for the remainder of 2019? And what will this mean for investors?

30 August 2019
Goodwill hunting – why investors should focus on future impairments.
Goodwill hunting – why investors should focus on future impairments.

What is goodwill? In the accounting sense, it’s an intangible asset that arises as a result of mergers and acquisitions (M&A). Essentially, goodwill is the difference between the price paid for a company and its book value. It is recorded on the buyer’s balance sheet, and its value must be tested each year and adjusted accordingly. Any change results in a write-down of this value, which is recorded as an impairment – effectively, a loss.

25 June 2019
ESG and logistics: the times they are a changin'
ESG and logistics: the times they are a changin'

When most people think of industrial logistics buildings, factors like energy efficiency, technology and carbon innovation don’t usually spring to mind.

10 June 2019
Creating a virtuous circle in residential investing
Creating a virtuous circle in residential investing

Property ESG standards: how tenants, landlords and the planet can happily co-exist

3 June 2019
Corporate loans: an alternative to bonds?
Corporate loans: an alternative to bonds?

Over the past decade, yields on many developed market bonds have declined materially. In some markets, bond yields have even turned negative with investors effectively paying for the privilege of holding bonds. It is therefore not surprising that many investors have looked for alternative sources of income that also provide protection from rising inflation and interest rates.

30 May 2019
Challenging perceptions: linking ESG factors to real estate investment
Challenging perceptions: linking ESG factors to real estate investment

The demand for environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategies in real estate continues to grow. Investors are becoming increasingly focused on responsible practices and how these are integrated into funds.

14 December 2018
Why it's time to look at emerging markets for income
Why it's time to look at emerging markets for income

Many investors have historically viewed emerging market (EM) equities as a source of growth, with income a distant consideration. We believe this oversight is a mistake, and that a dividend-focused approach to investing could help boost long-term total returns.

14 August 2018
Emerging markets - increasing or decreasing risks?
Emerging markets - increasing or decreasing risks?

So far, 2018 has been a difficult year for emerging market (EM) assets, which in the last few months have fared significantly worse than their counterparts in developed markets. This has been due mainly to worldwide issues but also country-specific political uncertainty. Many investors are now asking if the sell-off presents a buying opportunity – or are there reasons to remain wary?

14 August 2018
How can central banks improve forward guidance?
How can central banks improve forward guidance?

It is fair to say that forward guidance doesn’t enjoy a good reputation in the UK. The policy, introduced with some fanfare by Mark Carney on his arrival as Governor of the Bank of England, was meant to give greater clarity about the path of interest rates.