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Back to the cycle
Last Updated: September 30, 2025
The era of virtually zero percent interest rates is over. Rathbones head of multi-asset investments David Coombs believes that means a return to boom and bust, and he outlines which businesses are most at risk.
Sustaining sustainability
Last Updated: September 30, 2025
As the hard slog of winter drags on, sustainable multi-asset investment specialist Rahab Paracha considers whether ESG issues and sustainable investing can sustain their strong momentum this year.
A tale of two wars
Last Updated: September 30, 2025
Decades of trade between the US and China boosted living standards considerably in both nations, but their relationship has been fraying for some time. Rathbones head of multi-asset investments David Coombs believes this unravelling is keeping inflation elevated.
21st Century rumour mill
Last Updated: September 30, 2025
Work intrudes on head of multi-asset investments David Coombs’s vacation time as Silicon Valley Bank collapses. He marvels at just how fast information – and misinformation – can spread and suggests social media may be a risk to financial stability.
The world has changed
Last Updated: September 30, 2025
Failing lenders bring back memories of the dark days of 2008 and 2009. Rathbones head of multi-asset investments David Coombs explains why he thinks a global financial crisis is unlikely, but notes how technology has made banking easier for customers and harder for bankers.
Three reasons to stick with investment grade corporate bonds
Last Updated: September 30, 2025
By and large, corporate bond markets are steadying again after the shockwaves triggered by the collapse of three US regional banks and Swiss banking giant Credit Suisse. Credit Suisse’s demise was particularly unsettling since, as we explain here, it involved Swiss regulators’ controversial decision to wipe out the value of its Additional Tier 1 (AT1) bonds, a form of debt issued only by banks to bolster equity when they get into trouble.
Olyniaeth – it’s Welsh for succession
Last Updated: September 30, 2025
The market to supply new-fangled electronics for tomorrow’s smarter, cleaner cars has captivated head of multi-asset investments David Coombs for several years. But in a costlier world, could there also be a resurgence in keeping older, dirtier, yet more economical, vehicles running for longer?
A step change for the UK?
Last Updated: September 30, 2025
It’s not just high-street shoppers who are getting more cost-conscious. Investors too are focusing more on how much value they’re getting for their money. Rathbone Income Fund co-manager Alan Dobbie asks whether this could signal a step-change for UK stocks.
Artificial returns?
Last Updated: September 30, 2025
Virtually everyone you talk to is bearish. The future is uncertain. Inflation isn’t falling as fast as everyone would like. Costs from labour to debt interest payments are rising. Central bankers are like a riddle of sphinxes. And yet, stocks are comfortably up year to date, particularly the digital titans of America: Microsoft, Alphabet, Apple and Amazon, all of which we own, and Meta and Telsa, which we don’t.
Peak China? It’s been and gone
Last Updated: September 30, 2025
Peak China? That’s the question raised in the latest edition of the Economist. Rathbones head of asset allocation Oliver Jones summarises why we think the days of super-charged Chinese growth are over.
Of robot overlords and paperclips
Last Updated: September 30, 2025
Artificial intelligence is invading our world one conversation at a time. True to form, head of multi-asset investments David Coombs is hedging his bets about how it will affect his portfolios – and his job.
Why the long face?
Last Updated: September 30, 2025
After a tough few years for the UK, things are starting to look up, argues Rathbone UK Opportunities Fund manager Alexandra Jackson. The chances of recession have dropped, political stability has returned and profits are cheap. When will investors notice?