The Question Is..‪.‬ Lazard Asset Management

While volatility may continue to rile global markets, we believe that currently, when it comes to hedged convertible bonds, they are well-positioned for value extraction. Sean Reynolds and Sarah George of the convertibles-based strategies team explain to host Ronald Temple why the unique asymmetry of the asset class can be a real advantage—and how volatility has the potential to be a source of return.

Consumer prices dominate headlines, but tight labor markets and upward pressure on wages might be better indicators of where the European Central Bank and Federal Reserve are currently heading. Host Ronald Temple discusses with Matthieu Grouès, CIO of Lazard Frères Gestion (LFG), the fascinating global macroeconomic picture: the potential for higher-than-expected interest rates and mild recessions in the United States and Europe, the uncertain outlook for spending in Europe next year, the complicated growth picture in China—and in the face of everything, the markets’ stubborn “optimism.”

A harbinger of progress or a spark of false hope: Does October’s CPI report mean that US inflation is finally easing? While it may be too early to draw firm conclusions, signs are encouraging. Host Ronald Temple and David Alcaly, a Senior Vice President and Research Analyst, unpack the CPI as well as private sector indices and find that abating supply chain issues, slowing jobs growth, moderating used-car prices, and even decelerating rents suggest the good news may be more than a flash in the pan.

Some believe the United Nations Climate Change Conference, better known as COP, is purely ceremonial: Negotiations are agreed upon well in advance, and no meaningful change comes out of them. But this is not necessarily true. Tim Smith, a member of our ESG and Sustainable Investment team whose research focuses on the investment implications of climate change, explains to host Ron Temple why the impact of COP varies from year to year—and why this year’s meeting, COP27, may be particularly impactful given the ongoing energy crisis in Europe, the passing of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) in the United States, and rising geopolitical tensions.

Investors’ shift into value from growth stocks earlier this year was one of the most extraordinary rotations ever. In this episode, Director/Investment Strategist Jason Williams and host Ron Temple deconstruct equity market performance over the last 12 months to try to get a better sense of where we are in the stock selloff and where the markets may be headed.

Robert Wall, Head of Sustainable Private Infrastructure, speaks with host Ronald Temple about sustainable investing in the intriguing world of private infrastructure. They discuss the evolution and growth of the asset class, uncovering the opportunities, and creating a diversified portfolio of these long-term assets.