FORUM OUTLINE
8.30am
REGISTRATION OPEN
Cargo Hall, South Wharf
9.00am
WELCOME
Tim Townsend
Partner & Private Wealth Adviser, Townsend Cobain Partners
9.15am
SWIMMING AGAINST THE TIDE
When and Where to Be Contrarian in a Consensus-Driven World
Regina Liu - Head of APAC Investment Specialist, International Equity Group, J.P. Morgan
Dmitry Solomakhin - Portfolio Manager, Fidelity
10.35am
PASSING THE BATON
How Growth and Return Drivers will Change Over the Next Cycle
Qiao Ma - Partner & Portfolio Manager, Munro Partners
Cameron Robson - Portfolio Manager / Analyst, Northcape Capital
11.40am
WHY NOT JUST TERM DEPOSITS?
The Role of Fixed Income in a New Higher for Longer Era
Tim Farrelly - Principal, farrelly's Investment Strategy
Joran Laird - Global Fixed Income Portfolio Specialist, T. Rowe Price
1.45pm
BEYOND THE BLUEPRINT
Shifting to a Dynamic Approach to Property and Infrastructure
Justin Pica - Principal, Global Portfolio Manager, CBRE Investment Management
Matthew Sgrizzi - Chief Investment Officer, LaSalle Global Solutions
2.50pm
ALTERNATIVE THINKING
Crafting Portfolios with a New Edge
Michael Armitage - Consultant, Fundlab Strategic Investments
Kyle Lidbury - Head of Investment Research, Perpetual Private
4.15pm
INNOVATE OR STAGNATE
Strategies for Future-Proofing Your Practice
Andrew Inwood - Founder, CoreData Group
5.00-6.00pm
NETWORKING DRINKS
Cargo Hall, South Wharf
DETAILED OUTLINE
8.30am
REGISTRATION OPEN
Cargo Hall, South Wharf
9.00am
WELCOME
Tim Townsend
Partner & Private Wealth Adviser, Townsend Cobain Partners
9.15am
SWIMMING AGAINST THE TIDE
When and Where to be Contrarian in a Consensus-Driven World
As we emerged from the shadows of Covid lockdowns, investors debated what the shape of the recovery would be. Fast forward to today, and optimism for a soft landing amidst the slowdown has become the prevailing narrative.
Looking towards the remainder of 2024, with the anticipation of interest rate cuts, increased fiscal stimulus, and the burgeoning excitement around AI, a critical question arises: Is there still room for contrarian views?
In our opening session, our speakers will challenge us to venture beyond the current market narratives. Assessing the market and economic cycles ahead, we will consider whether this moment presents a prime opportunity to adopt decisive, contrarian positions in our portfolios.
THOUGHT LEADERS:
Regina Liu
Head of APAC Investment Specialist, International Equity Group, J.P. Morgan
Dmitry Solomakhin
Portfolio Manager, Fidelity
IDEA EXCHANGE - Table Discussion
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Where do you see the best opportunities to be contrarian?
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How can your portfolio be better structured to capture your contrarian views?
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How do you manage the risks of being against the consensus from both a portfolio and client messaging perspective?
10.15am
MORNING TEA
10.35am
PASSING THE BATON
How Growth and Return Drivers Will Change Over the Next Cycle
The advent of Chat-GPT has marked a watershed moment in Artificial Intelligence, igniting a global wave of innovation. As we navigate this new landscape, a diverse array of winners is emerging beyond the initial frontrunners, with firms across a spectrum of sectors racing to leverage AI to propel future earnings growth.
In parallel to the AI revolution, emerging economies such as India, Indonesia, and Mexico are poised for a period of robust growth. This shift comes as China faces a myriad of challenges, including a deep property market downturn, demographic pressures, and rising tensions with key trading partners.
For investors, these developments present prompt a critical question which our speakers will explore: Are we on the brink of a new era in market leadership, transitioning away from the dominance of large caps and developed markets?
THOUGHT LEADERS:
Qiao Ma
Partner & Portfolio Manager, Munro Partners
Cameron Robson
Portfolio Manager / Analyst, Northcape Capital
IDEA EXCHANGE - Table Discussion
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What are some of the best ways to invest in the AI thematic?
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Should an allocation to Emerging Markets be strategic or tactical?
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What role do active and passive exposures play in capturing growth in AI and Emerging Markets?
11.40am
WHY NOT JUST TERM DEPOSITS?
The role of Fixed Income in a new higher for longer era
As we transition out of the zero-interest rate era, we find ourselves grappling with the implications of a likely new 'higher for longer' period of interest rates. This shift has sparked a renaissance for traditional term deposits, presenting a challenging dilemma for advisers: Should our clients be content with the seemingly risk-free, low-cost return on offer?
Given the turbulent performance of bonds during the recent rate hike period, the inclination towards the simplicity and perceived safety of term deposits is understandable.
Yet, this session aims to delve deeper into the fixed income universe, suggesting that abundant opportunities await those prepared to adopt a more sophisticated approach to this asset class. Our speakers will navigate the landscape of fixed income investments, highlighting strategies to capitalise on the 'higher for longer' era.
THOUGHT LEADERS:
Tim Farrelly
Principal, Farrelly's Investment Strategy
Joran Laird
Global Fixed Income Portfolio Specialist, T. Rowe Price
IDEA EXCHANGE - Table Discussion
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How are current interest rates influencing your allocations to terms deposits vs other fixed income investments?
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What changes are you currently considering to your defensive allocation and why?
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How do you seek to capture both defensive and income characteristics in your portfolios, taking into account client-specific preferences and needs?
12.40pm
LUNCH
1.45pm
BEYOND THE BLUEPRINT
Shifting to a Dynamic Approach to Property and Infrastructure
In the wake of rapid technological advancements and evolving societal needs, the property and infrastructure sector is at the cusp of significant transformation. This shift promises new opportunities but there are significant short-term challenges. Rising interest rates and changing demand patterns have led to numerous assets trading below their book value, with the threat of forced sales undermining investor confidence. Price volatility has also increased, with widening dispersion between listed and unlisted assets.
In response to these challenges, our speakers will unpack how dynamic approaches to investing in the asset class are being developed, with the traditional ‘set and forget ‘approach carrying greater risks in this rapidly evolving landscape.
THOUGHT LEADERS:
Justin Pica
Principal, Global Portfolio Manager, CBRE Investment Management
Matthew Sgrizzi
Chief Investment Officer, LaSalle Global Solutions
IDEA EXCHANGE - Table Discussion
-
How dynamic do you expect your real assets allocation to be over the market cycle?
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Looking forward, what are the main market and structural trends likely to influence your property and infrastructure allocation?
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Are valuations now attractive in listed property markets? Why/why not?
2.50pm
ALTERNATIVE THINKING
Crafting Portfolios with a New Edge
While alternatives have come to be perceived by many investors as expensive, complex, and opaque, they remain integral to some of the world's most successful investment programs, providing essential diversification that mitigates risks and enhances returns.
This session will explore the approaches and strategies of institutional investors, family offices, and leading wealth management practices that have successfully integrated alternative investments into their portfolios. Delving into the challenges of implementation, our speakers will also share their learnings and key considerations when considering the benefits and costs of different approaches to accessing alternatives.
THOUGHT LEADERS:
Kyle Lidbury
Head of Investment Research, Perpetual Private
Michael Armitage
Consultant, Fundlab Strategic Investments
IDEA EXCHANGE - Table Discussion
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How do you assess the benefits vs costs of alternatives in your portfolios?
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Considering your current investment strategy, which types of alternative investments do you view as the most complementary or beneficial, and why?
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What strategies, partnerships, or platforms have you found effective for overcoming the common barriers to building a successful alternatives allocation?
3.55pm
AFTERNOON TEA
4.15pm
INNOVATE OR STAGNATE?
Strategies For Future-Proofing Your Practice
In an era where new technologies dramatically reshape our industry and client expectations continue to escalate, the key to sustained practice growth lies in our adaptability and commitment to innovation. This session will dissect the trends poised to accelerate and those expected to remain constant, analysing their implications for our strategic planning and operating models.
Drawing on the ideas from firms at the forefront of innovation, especially in the application of AI and Machine Learning, our speaker will present actionable takeaways and key areas of focus. In a competitive landscape that increasingly rewards innovators and may sideline the less adaptable, this session is designed to arm you with the strategies needed to ensure your practice doesn't just survive but truly thrives.
THOUGHT LEADER:
Andrew Inwood
Founder, CoreData Group
Presentation to be directly followed by open Q&A