News and events
In conversation - October 2020
Now in its second iteration, our In conversation series is beaming from the homes of our managers for the first – and likely not the last – time. They have provided the latest fund performance, portfolio positioning and their views on the future.
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In conversation - February 2020
Introducing the, “In conversation” series, you’ll have the opportunity to hear and now see our fund managers provide their expert view in a short, engaging and digestible format. We aim to run these updates twice a year.
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Rathbone Multi-Asset Portfolios webcast - Wednesday 12 May 2021
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Rathbone Multi-Asset Portfolios webcast - Wednesday 14 April 2021
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Introduction - Greg Mullins
Greg Mullins, our head of sales, has managed to dodge his brood of kids just long enough to introduce you to our latest In conversation series. It’s been a tough year for most, juggling work and home. Greg explains how these videos can help you with a concise and pertinent overview of our funds.
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Rathbone Income Fund
After a strong final quarter to 2020, Carl Stick outlines why he is excited about the UK equity sector post-Brexit, and outlines the potential for UK companies to invest today in improving their businesses to lay the foundation for sustainable dividend increases in the coming years.
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Rathbone Global Opportunities Fund
Manager James Thomson describes 2020 as a “socialising recession”. In 2021, the pent-up demand to rekindle friendships, restock our wardrobes and take our travel plans out of deep-freeze should mean “revenge spending” is coming. Combined with huge stimulus, low interest rates and reflationary policies, this has convinced James to pivot toward beneficiaries of reopening.
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Rathbone Ethical Bond Fund
Fund performance was good last year, helped by staying light on duration and heavier on credit risk. Bryn Jones explains how his team navigated the volatility of 2020. He highlights big themes with big consequences for investing: from the Anthropocene’s impact on the planet to the demographic and political effects of the Millennial cohort coming of age.
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Rathbone UK Opportunities Fund
Our fund ended 2020 on a high, thanks to strong individual stock picks and the last-minute agreement of a post-Brexit trade deal. Alexandra Jackson sheds light on her ‘Best of British’ plays, including tech firms, cyber-security businesses and renewable providers to name a few. She also runs through the outlook for UK Plc, asking whether investor confidence is returning to our isles.
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Rathbone High Quality Bond Fund
One of the lowest drawdowns in the IA Corporate Bond sector illustrates our fund’s defensive nature. Noelle Cazalis explains how her fund outperformed its benchmark last year, and why she is increasing duration by buying slightly longer-dated bonds in 2021. She also outlines the industries she is positive about and details those she is avoiding.
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Rathbone Global Sustainability Fund
Last year could well be the year that sustainable investing hit the mainstream. David Harrison explains how his fund handily outperformed its benchmark, and outlines key themes he believes are here to stay. Our fund has the freedom to search the world for the very best investments; find out where David sees opportunities to make returns and a difference.
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Rathbone Strategic Bond Fund
Our fund aims for low-volatility returns, yet that doesn’t mean it can’t take advantage of market swings. Bryn Jones describes the key themes within his fund and where he’s finding opportunities. He also takes a view on the debt burden from the unparalleled fiscal response to COVID-19.
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Recovery rolls on, belying rocky times
Earnings are booming in the West as the recovery rolls on despite investor nervousness.
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Full of surprises
Recent inflation headlines have made for uncomfortable reading, and volatility picked up as investors remained sceptical of policymakers’ messaging. But we don’t think rising inflation is here to stay as there are too many other phenomena that will push it down.
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America blooms
America is opening up along with the spring blossoms, and a strong summer of spending seems to be on the way. The rebound in fortunes has helped the S&P 500 reach new highs which, as chief investment officer Julian Chillingworth notes, go hand in hand with rising yields.
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Springing yields
Bond yields and a new season’s flowers both sprung up last month, heralding an end to the dark days of lockdown winter. Chief investment officer Julian Chillingworth ponders the big question on investors’ minds – does this also foreshadow a prolonged period of higher inflation?
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A bleary-eyed awakening
After a busy start to the year there’s still a lot of uncertainty swirling around in markets. But economies tend to bounce back hard after sombre periods, and hope remains that our eventual return to ‘normal’ will be no different.
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Optimistic realism in a vaccinated recovery
A roller-coaster of a year finished on a high note for the markets, and we start 2021 with a sense of relief that one of the most difficult years many of us have ever experienced is behind us.
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Staying balanced
With a clutch of vaccines on the way soon, equity markets were in a buoyant mood in November. But there are still a lot of things we don’t know – and even some things we don’t know that we don’t know…
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America (finally) decides
Equities fell in October as investors came to terms with tighter lockdown restrictions, but hopes for a new round of US stimulus under President-elect Joe Biden have buoyed markets, and Chief investment officer Julian Chillingworth reckons we should take heart.
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Post holiday blues
With summer fading into memory, a long uncertain winter of social distancing lies ahead. It’s easy to feel gloomy, but as chief investment officer Julian Chillingworth argues, we should try not to buy into the doom.
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A patchy summer
As summer winds down and the pandemic persists, governments are finding it hard to taper their support measures.
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Managing expectations
The hard data is coming in and so far companies have fared better through the pandemic than expected. Just how long complete recovery will take no one knows, but as chief economist Julian Chillingworth notes, we maintain our long-held belief in the human capacity to co-operate and solve problems.
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Are the bears in hibernation, or just napping?
With the groundwork laid for a rapid recovery, equity markets reflected continued optimism in June. But as chief investment officer Julian Chillingworth notes, significant risks remain.
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Rathbones announces changes to High Quality Bond Fund leadership
Rathbone Unit Trust Management (“Rathbones”) announces that fund manager Noelle Cazalis will leave the business to pursue other interests outside the UK. Fixed Income fund manager Stuart Chilvers will assume lead fund manager responsibilities for the Rathbone High Quality Bond Fund with immediate effect and with no change to the investment process or objective of the fund.
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Rathbones-led campaign wins ‘Stewardship Initiative of the Year’ at PRI Awards 2022
- Votes Against Slavery initiative saw non-compliant FTSE 350 Index companies targeted with investor action
- 2022 marks the third iteration of the campaign
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Bespoke fund EGM results
For the EGMs held 28 September 2022 for Rathbone Pharaoh Fund, Rathbone Quercus Fund, Rathbone Sherwood Fund, Rathbone Sussex Fund, and Rathbone Dragon Trust, results of the resolutions have been communicated with investors as appropriate. For more information, please contact your usual Rathbones representative.
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Rathbones targets modern slavery for third year with biggest collaborative engagement yet
Rathbones has launched its third Votes Against Slavery engagement, securing support from 122 investors with assets under management totalling £9.6 trillion.
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Heritage fund EGM results
At an EGM of shareholders held 26 January 2022, the resolution that the scheme of arrangement (the “merger”) between Rathbone Heritage Fund and Rathbone Multi-Asset Strategic Growth Portfolio, a sub-fund of Rathbone Multi-Asset Portfolio (as detailed in the Information Pack sent to shareholders on 15 December 2021), was passed. Accordingly, the merger is expected to take place on 22 April 2022.
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Rathbone Heritage fund merger
As part of an ongoing review of our portfolio of investment opportunities for clients, we are informing you of a proposed merger of the Rathbone Heritage Fund (the “Heritage Fund”) with the Rathbone Strategic Growth Portfolio, a sub-fund of Rathbone Multi-Asset Portfolio (the “Strategic Growth Portfolio”).
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Rathbone Unit Trust Management appoints new CIO
The appointment follows the announcement of Julian Chillingworth’s retirement in 2022.
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Notice to shareholders: Rathbone SICAV Multi-Asset Portfolios
We are informing you in our capacity as investment manager of the Rathbone SICAV Multi-Asset Portfolios (“the Company”), to inform you we will be contacting your client(s) about some changes to the objectives of some of the sub-Funds.
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Rathbones launches latest Planet Paper: Good COP bad COP, a guide to human efforts to tackle climate change
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has told the world to “grow up” and tackle climate change; that “this is the most important period I think now in the history of the planet - because COP simply must succeed”.
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Rathbone Ethical Bond Fund enters government bonds for first time with purchase of UK green gilts
Bryn Jones, lead manager of the £2.6bn Rathbone Ethical Bond Fund, has added exposure to government bonds for the first time by investing in the UK’s green gilts.
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Rathbones bolsters equity income research capability with analyst hire
Rathbones Unit Trust Management has strengthened its equity research capability with the hire of Keval Thakrar.
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Rathbone Investment Management expands access to Rathbone Greenbank Portfolio Range for advisers
Rathbone Investment Management, one of the UK’s leading providers of investment management services for individuals, charities and professional advisers, is pleased to announce the launch of a new range of client propositions, which will invest in the underlying funds in the Rathbone Greenbank Portfolio Range.
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Be clear, be trustworthy
Brits are on board with investing sustainably to make the world a better place, but impenetrable jargon and complicated processes are preventing them from doing so. We need to try harder to speak their language, says Rathbone Global Sustainability Fund manager David Harrison.
In pursuit of green
Sustainable investing isn’t just about avoiding the risks of outdated businesses or environmental PR disasters, explains our Global Sustainability Fund manager, David Harrison. It’s also about spotting opportunities that can be captured if you keep your eyes on the future instead of the past.
Cutting cost is good, investment is better
Ten years ago this month, the American stock market, stricken by the global financial crisis, bottomed out and started one of the longest upward market trends in history. Now, a decade on, Rathbone Income fund manager Carl Stick thinks it’s appropriate to talk about change.
