Events and insights for charities

We entered this Budget against a challenging economic backdrop, with the Chancellor balancing commitments to fiscal discipline against continued pressures on household and business finances. For charities, the context is particularly testing: rising employment costs, sustained demand for services, pressure on public funding and a more difficult environment for charitable giving.

Third-quarter company results, the UK Budget, and next week's US mid-term elections all compete for investors' attention this week, but we don't expect any of them to change our current asset allocation.

In an era defined by persistent economic shifts, UK charity trustees face the complex task of protecting capital value while generating the returns needed to support frontline operations. New findings from our comprehensive research study with senior UK charity executives* reveal that leading charities are structurally adjusting their investment strategies to navigate this environment.

The US economy is prone to booms and busts, but we believe it’s too early in this new technology cycle to call the top of the market.

Strong profits are helping markets remain resilient, but the concentration of growth may make share prices more volatile.

Strong US growth and healthy company profits are supporting global stock markets, although higher bond yields underline the importance of a balanced and diversified portfolio.

During this final session of the conference, keynote speaker Verity Harding examined both the opportunities and limitations of data and artificial intelligence and set out practical steps leaders can take to build resilience, navigate uncertainty and shape outcomes with confidence in a rapidly evolving landscape.

The fireside chat at the Rathbones Charities Conference 2026 explored how investors are moving beyond traditional company engagement and towards addressing systemic risks, from climate transition to social inequality, through policy influence and collective action.

Strong company profits offset the pressure of high inflation, helping balanced portfolios make small gains in an uncertain quarter.

The second session at the Rathbones Charities Conference 2026, held alongside the launch of the ACT Charity Toolkit, explored how trustees can strengthen governance and decision-making in an increasingly complex environment.

The opening session at the Rathbones Charities Conference 2026 provided a market and geopolitical outlook, followed by an expert panel discussion examining how charities can build resilient portfolios in an increasingly uncertain world.

“Bond vigilantes” are returning to global government bond markets, sending yields higher and making government debt more volatile. David Coombs, Head of Multi-Asset Investments, had already reduced the average time to maturity of the Fund’s bond holdings, focusing on income while avoiding large exposures to any single interest-rate outcome.

For charity trustees, this makes it especially important to understand how the maturity profile of bond holdings can affect portfolio risk and income.

The Rathbones Charities Conference 2026: Future Resilience brought charity leaders, trustees and investment experts together for a day of thought-provoking discussion and practical insights on navigating change and building confidence for the future.

Markets remain resilient, but prolonged conflicts, higher inflation and strained government finances are increasing the case for broader diversification.

A new toolkit from City Hive gives trustees a practical way to consider culture, conduct and accountability alongside investment performance.

Strong earnings are winning the market tug of war for now, but rising bond yields are putting more pressure on valuations and future returns.