The current economic environment is in many respects unprecedented. In the last century, perhaps with the exception of the world wars, almost all financial crises have been ‘financial’ in nature. Today’s crisis is different: it is not just about ownership or claims on assets, it is a public health crisis. When the coronavirus pandemic eventually recedes, what will a recovery in equities look like?
Hosted by Jonathan Pines, Lead Manager on Hermes Asia ex-Japan, we consider the potential outcomes from the coronavirus crisis, discuss how our Asia ex-Japan portfolio is positioned to weather volatility and share fund performance year-to-date.
Jonathan joined the international business of Federated Hermes in March 2009 as portfolio manager responsible for Asia ex-Japan within the Emerging Markets strategy. Jonathan has been lead portfolio manager for the Asia ex-Japan strategy since its launch at the start of 2010. Prior to joining, he was a fund manager at RAB Capital and an analyst at Orbis Investment Advisory in London. Jonathan grew up in South Africa, where he was a partner at PKF Johannesburg. He holds an MBA from Harvard Business School, is a CFA charterholder and a chartered accountant. Under Jonathan’s management, the Asia ex-Japan strategy has been awarded Asian Investor's Asset Management Award for best Asia ex-Japan equity strategy for each of the last five years; Portfolio Adviser’s Platinum Award for Asia Pacific ex-Japan Equity in 2017; Citywire Asia's Asia ex-Japan Group Award in 2016; and Investment Week’s 2016 Fund Manager of the Year Award for Asian equity.
New research shows Covid has accelerated the social awakening
New research from the Global Equities team at the international business of Federated Hermes shows that companies with good or improving social practices can potentially add up to 17bps each month to returns.
