insights.

Rethinking the Fix for Income Returns
By Salman Ahmed, Chief Investment Strategist Lombard Odier Investment Managers

Does Brexit really signal the end for globalisation?
By John Arlidge

The race to space is on (again). But will the new frontier for private investment in Space deliver returns?
By Andrew Pemberton

There is a new status quo in the world of power and ambition. Millennial entrepreneurs lead the charge in innovation and investment, and there are more millionaires under the age of 21 than ever before. But as bedrooms become boardrooms and university assignments become the next tech start-ups, how will this new generation change the face of wealth?

Rethinking impact investment: the third dimension
By Bertrand Gacon, Head of Impact Investing

Patrick Odier, our Senior Managing Partner, warmly welcomed and praised Pierre de Meuron, one of the chief architects at Herzog & de Meuron, on the inspiring design of our new head office

By 2050 the global population is projected to reach 9.7 billion, which means that we need to rethink how we’re treating and distributing our resources. Food and water scarcities are already a reality in many parts of the world; in future it will become essential for countries to produce, recycle and distribute these resources in innovative ways

Technology is not just a disruptor. It’s now forming the foundation of our society and changing the worldwide landscape 

We have to rethink our fashion industry because it has a direct impact on our ecosystem. Microplastic pollution puts marine life in danger as they end up absorbing microfibers found on our clothes. A whole industry must be changed.

When it comes to buying clothes, we are spoilt for choice. Gone are the days when we only bought new garments as the weather changed. Today, clothes shopping is as much about expressing our individual style and tracking trends as it is about dressing for the elements

The big topic so far at this year’s World Economic Forum is the ‘Fourth Revolution’, essentially the digitalisation of our world. Whether it’s Narendra Modi’s comments that data is the biggest asset today, and that it creates the biggest challenges and the biggest opportunities, or Anne Richards’ suggestion that information infrastructure could be the source of the next systemic crisis, all eyes are focussed on the impact digitalisation is likely to have on our societies and our economies.

My first post from Davos looked at the growing contradictions we are seeing in the world today, which made me question whether we are in a ‘dangerous’ new normal or not.  I have since heard a few things here at Davos that reinforce this question in my mind.

Yesterday evening I went back to school. I sat in on a session hosted by the University of Chicago, where I studied, which raised some very interesting questions about how to shape the digital world so it develops in a safe, inclusive way, and how to teach tomorrow’s thinkers to adapt.

Established in 1971, The World Economic Forum Annual Meeting (also known as Davos) is a place where influencers, world leaders, great businessmen and societal rethinkers gather together to innovate, problem solve and discuss topical issues, in interests of global society. To discover more about the role our Senior Managing Partner, Patrick Odier, plays at Davos, read the daily blog below and view our live Twitter feed.

I was a lot younger when I first started coming to the World Economic Forum at Davos, which transforms from a small village into a global centre for a short period every year. Much has changed over the last 30 years. What strikes me most is how much the global context has changed. We find ourselves today in a ‘new normal’ characterised by geopolitical, social, economic and financial market fractures.

According to Jean-Claude Junker, President of the European Commission, we would need around four planets to maintain our current lifestyle. Unfortunately, we only have one. And when you consider that the global population is expected to grow by another three billion people over the next thirty years, we clearly have a very big problem.

In terms of capital, millennials are coming of age, and with them comes different attitudes, philosophies and priorities. How can the investment universe adapt to their needs, and what kind of opportunities will millennials themselves offer?

The age of radical digital personalisation is here, and it’s changing the way we consume. But don’t bet your house on it.

The World Economic Forum wrapped up last Friday. The annual gathering is always a source of reflection, stimulation and inspiration and this year was certainly an opportunity to Create a Shared Future in a Fractured World. With over 400 sessions on the official programme, it would be impossible to provide you with a comprehensive recap of everything that happened.

Jack Ma’s comments yesterday struck an interesting chord. Ma, who is Executive Chairman of Alibaba said: “If trade stops, war starts.”

I’m very pleased to see and hear that the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are being adopted as a standard by political, economic and societal stakeholders. This is important not just because it enables a commonality of language and understanding, but also because that, in turn, can be a powerful force for change. 

Wedged in between a toasted brioche bun with thick slices of red onion and tomato, the Beyond Meat burger looks like a respectable staple at a diner. Likewise Gardein's Crispy Tenders have the look and feel of breaded crispy chicken, golden brown on the outside with a crunch to the bite.

The most stretching ideas in education are those that address gaps we feel exist but find hard to fill from our existing stock of answers

The increasing digitisation of every facet of our lives has made everyone increasingly exposed to the threat of cyber theft. So what are the steps to be taken to ensure that you and your family's online lives remain safe and behind closed doors?

Article published in Le Temps, July 9, 2018
Patrick Odier, Senior Managing Partner, Lombard Odier Group

Next year will mark the 50^th anniversary of Neil Armstrong becoming the first man to walk on the moon, making history before an audience of some 530 million people. Since then, and even by those remarkable standards, space exploration has come a long way. Countless satellites and unmanned probes have been launched into orbit, NASA's Curiosity rover vehicle has been sending back images from Mars and the idea of space tourism is increasingly realistic.

Personalised learning technology can liberate students from a one-size-fits-all curriculum, but what role can investment play in building the new era of education?

Last week’s conviction of two former aides to President Donald Trump make it more urgent to look at the US mid-term Congressional elections, scheduled for 6 November. We see three possible scenarios and look at the investment implications for each.