Many small-cap stocks are among the world's most innovative and fastest growing companies, but the asset class tends to be more volatile than large-cap stocks. We check in with veteran small-cap investors Greg Wendt and Brad Freer, who share their thoughts on this less-understood asset class. Related: Dreams of 2030: Small caps and the next innovation wave This content is published by Capital Client Group, Inc. For industry-leading insights, support tools and more, subscribe to Capital Ideas at ...
Sep 24, 2020•35 min
As portfolio manager Claudia Huntington prepares to turn the page on a storied 47-year career at Capital Group, we couldn't help but request one final interview. Here she shares her top three lessons for young investors, why she loves small-cap growth companies and more. Claudia Huntington is an equity portfolio manager with 47 years of investment experience. She holds an MBA from Harvard and a bachelor's in economics from Stanford. Your host Matt Miller is the policy and communications advisor ...
Sep 10, 2020•30 min
Capital Group equity analyst Nathan Meyer discusses the rapid growth of the video game industry amid the COVID-19 pandemic. In the stay-at-home era, new gamers are entering the market and existing gamers are spending more time than ever playing console, PC and mobile games. Meyer explains why that's welcome news for investors. Nathan Meyer is an equity investment analyst who covers the video games industry for Capital Group, among other responsibilities. He holds a bachelor's degree in economics...
Aug 27, 2020•33 min
The year 2020 has been uncharacteristically eventful for the municipal bond market, which has seen multiple shifts in direction in just a few short months. We check in with resident muni portfolio managers Chad Rach and Mark Marinella for a recap of the volatile year to date; a status report on muni mainstays such as airports, toll roads and hospitals in the midst of the pandemic; and a glimpse at what muni bond investors might expect for the second half of the year. Chad Rach is a fixed income ...
Aug 14, 2020•33 min
Author Zachary Carter discusses the themes behind his new book — "The Price of Peace: Money, Democracy, and the Life of John Maynard Keynes." As one of the most important thinkers of the 20th century, Keynes continues to have broad influence over policymakers around the world, particularly in the aftermath of the 2008–09 financial crisis and the coronavirus outbreak. Zachary Carter is a senior reporter at HuffPost, where he covers Congress, the White House and economic policy. He is a frequent g...
Jul 17, 2020•46 min
Engineers may not get the love they deserve, says author Lord John Browne, best known for his transformative tenure as CEO of energy giant BP. In this conversation recorded shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic, Browne explores themes from his latest book, "Make, Think, Imagine: Engineering the Future of Civilization," chief of which is the critical role engineering has played at the intersection of art and commerce. This reminder of engineering's ability to meet the world's challenges and forge ...
Jul 10, 2020•40 min
Capital Group portfolio manager Carl Kawaja discusses the outlook for global equity markets in the COVID-19 era. In a wide-ranging interview, Carl offers his view of the remarkable stock market rally since late March, as well as the challenges and opportunities facing investors amid unprecedented levels of market and economic uncertainty. Your host Matt Miller is the policy and communications advisor for Capital Group. An author and former Washington Post columnist, Matt was co-host of the publi...
Jul 02, 2020•30 min
How do leaders make important decisions when the stakes are high, the data is flawed and the outcome is unknowable? Often badly — in part, because they rely on bogus quantification instead of seasoned judgement. That's one of the themes outlined in a new book by former Bank of England governor Mervyn King and economist John Kay. In this podcast, we explore that perplexing issue at the heart of their newly released book, "Radical Uncertainty: Decision-Making Beyond the Numbers." Mervyn King, form...
Mar 06, 2020•31 min
The outbreak of the coronavirus and concerns about what its rapid spread could mean for global markets and economies have prompted this special episode of Capital Ideas. Hong Kong-based economist Stephen Green discusses the supply-chain disruptions already taking shape, which sectors stand to lose — or gain — from the crisis and how soon "business as usual" might be expected to return to China and global economies. Stephen Green covers Asia from Hong Kong. He has 14 years of investment industry ...
Feb 27, 2020•35 min
Host Matt Miller takes us on a tour of outstanding moments from recent Capital Ideas podcast episodes, including excerpts from conversations about oil rigs, Teslas, long-term opportunities in Asia and more. Matt Miller is the policy and communications advisor for Capital Group. An author and former Washington Post columnist, Matt was co-host of the public radio program Left, Right & Center . This content is published by Capital Client Group, Inc. Do you have any suggested topics for Capital ...
Feb 21, 2020•45 min
The proliferation of video streaming services has been the most conspicuous change of late in Hollywood's evolving competition for the consumer dollar. Investment analyst Brad Barrett, who has covered media for 19 years, details what differentiates the key players, how the battle lines are being drawn and what's at stake for investors. Barrett is a research director and equity investment analyst with responsibility for media, cable and satellite, advertising-driven internet companies and telecom...
Feb 07, 2020•35 min
Today's global oil industry is experiencing a period of disruption, says investment analyst Jacinto Hernandez. From the technological (the shale revolution) to the geopolitical (rising Middle East tensions) to the environmental (ESG concerns), Hernandez breaks down the forces shaping his outlook and draws from his 19 years covering energy to consider the implications for investors. Jacinto Hernandez is an equity investment analyst with research responsibility for global oil & gas exploration...
Jan 24, 2020•42 min
After three years of political wrangling in the U.K., Brexit finally appears to be moving forward. As the U.K. prepares to leave the European Union, Capital Group economist Robert Lind and political economist Talha Khan share their views on what's coming next and how it might affect European trade and economic growth in the years ahead. Your host Matt Miller is the policy and communications advisor for Capital Group. An author and former Washington Post columnist, Matt was co-host of the public ...
Jan 10, 2020•36 min
Portfolio manager Rob Lovelace, economist Darrell Spence and fixed income investment director Margaret Steinbach share their thoughts on global equities, economies and fixed income as they look ahead to 2020. Rob Lovelace is vice chairman of Capital Group, president of Capital Research and Management Company, and serves on the Capital Group Management Committee. He has 33 years of investment experience. He earned a bachelor's in geology from Princeton and is a CFA charterholder. Darrell Spence i...
Dec 27, 2019•1 hr 1 min
Yes, e-commerce titan Amazon continues to disrupt the business of traditional retailers, but some are finding innovative ways to survive and thrive in the highly competitive U.S. retail landscape. Capital Group retail analyst Jessica Spaly discusses her long-term outlook for the sector amid the hustle and bustle of the holiday shopping season. Your host Matt Miller is the policy and communications advisor for Capital Group. An author and former Washington Post columnist, Matt was co-host of the ...
Dec 13, 2019•19 min
After a decade of dominance by U.S. stocks, are there still compelling reasons to invest outside the United States? Absolutely, says Capital Group investment director David Polak. Here he lays out his argument for why investors shouldn't abandon international equities. David Polak leads the investment specialist team and also represents Capital Group's global equity strategies. He has 35 years of investment industry experience. David is based in New York and has a bachelor's in economics from Un...
Nov 29, 2019•39 min
Fixed income portfolio managers Mark Marinella and Karl Zeile discuss the outlook for U.S. municipal bonds in light of sweeping federal tax changes. They offer their views on whether muni bonds are still attractive under the new tax regime, as well as the importance of fundamental research in a credit-driven market. Your host Matt Miller is the policy and communications advisor for Capital Group. An author and former Washington Post columnist, Matt was co-host of the public radio program Left, R...
Nov 15, 2019•42 min
The title of Nobel Prize-winning economist Robert Shiller's latest book, "Narrative Economics," is telling — literally. It spotlights stories people have told one another throughout recorded history that reflect and, Shiller argues, often shape their economic circumstances. Here he discusses the most enduring and relevant of these narratives and suggests how their implications could help shape the future of both academics and policymaking. Robert Shiller is an economist, academic and bestselling...
Nov 01, 2019•38 min
Portfolio manager Winnie Kwan and investment director Kent Chan explore the long-term investment outlook for China. Amid a damaging trade war and political unrest in Hong Kong, they see the world's second largest economy as a classic stock picker's market — presenting select opportunities for patient investors. Your host Matt Miller is the policy and communications advisor for Capital Group. An author and former Washington Post columnist, Matt was co-host of the public radio program Left, Right ...
Oct 18, 2019•30 min
Retirement plan sponsors concerned about participant outcomes, take note. Capital Group's Steve Deschenes is here with a checklist for selecting superior investment managers. A research and development director with 26 years of experience, Deschenes shares his research into the factors sponsors should consider in their manager-selection process. Steve Deschenes is a research and development director at Capital Group. He is a founder of the online financial advice site mPower (now part of Morning...
Sep 20, 2019•28 min
Iron ore, copper, gold, nickel. Extracting these metals from the earth is a tough, capital-intensive business. Equity investment analyst Frank Beaudry makes it his business to know what the world's mining companies are doing to succeed on behalf of investors. Listen as Beaudry sheds light on this sometimes dangerous industry, as well as the other sector he covers: European utilities. Your host Matt Miller is the policy and communications advisor for Capital Group. An author and former Washington...
Sep 06, 2019•38 min
What happens when technological innovation, instead of helping people, displaces them? That's been a vexing question throughout history and it remains so today. In this podcast, we address the issue with Dr. Carl Benedikt Frey, author of The Technology Trap: Capital, Labor, and Power in the Age of Automation. Dr. Carl Benedikt Frey is a professor at Oxford University, where he directs the program on Technology & Employment at the Oxford Martin School. His academic work has been featured in m...
Aug 23, 2019•37 min
Here's a news flash for financial advisors who think their clients are telling them everything: There's a good chance they aren't. In fact, they are probably keeping some big secrets that could jeopardize their long-term investment returns. In this podcast, Capital Group's head of consumer research, Mike Van Wyk, reveals what these investors might be hiding and suggests steps advisors can take to strengthen their client relationships. Your host Matt Miller is the policy and communications adviso...
Aug 09, 2019•38 min
Long-term international investors who focus primarily on China may be missing the bigger picture. In his latest book, The Future Is Asian , global strategy advisor and author Parag Khanna argues that a "fourth wave" of Asian growth — essentially the rest of Asia — is hiding in plain sight. Here Khanna discusses common Western misperceptions of Asia's economic place in the world and offers eye-opening statistics that could lead many of us to rethink our investment assumptions. Your host Matt Mill...
Jul 19, 2019•42 min
Portfolio manager Alan Wilson trained at MIT to be a civil engineer. Turns out, those skills transfer nicely to the stock market — building strong portfolios instead of towering skyscrapers. In this podcast, Wilson discusses his outlook for U.S. equities and his thoughts on investing in an aging bull market. Alan Wilson is an equity portfolio manager with 34 years of investment experience, 28 with Capital Group. Earlier in his career, he covered U.S. construction and energy companies, among othe...
Jul 12, 2019•39 min
Portfolio manager Jody Jonsson, head of fixed income Mike Gitlin and economist Darrell Spence share their thoughts on global equities, fixed income and economies as they look ahead to the remainder of 2019 and beyond. Want continuing education credit? Financial professionals (CFP* and CIMA) can take the quiz after listening. Your host Matt Miller is the policy and communications advisor for Capital Group. An author and former Washington Post columnist, Matt was co-host of the public radio progra...
Jun 28, 2019•59 min
Given the uncertainty in today's economic environment, investors should not be caught unaware of what's in their bond portfolios. Enter Morningstar, whose recent split of the intermediate bond category should be welcome news for bond investors seeking greater transparency. Capital Group head of fixed income Mike Gitlin and portfolio manager Pramod Atluri explain. Mike Gitlin has 25 years of investment experience, four with Capital. Mike was previously the head of fixed income and global head of ...
Jun 14, 2019•36 min
Helping investors enjoy a comparatively smooth ride when markets are at their choppiest is a top priority for portfolio manager Greg Johnson, principal investment officer of American Balanced Fund®. Johnson shares his approach to maintaining a favorable balance between equities and fixed income in the fund today and reveals which out-of-favor sectors hold the most exciting opportunities for him. Greg Johnson is an equity portfolio manager with 25 years of investment experience, all with Capital ...
May 31, 2019•34 min
Capital Group portfolio manager Gerald Du Manoir talks about the importance of including international equities in a well-diversified portfolio, despite years of lagging index returns relative to U.S. markets. It's not about investing in geographic regions, he explains, but specific company-by-company opportunities. Du Manoir is an equity portfolio manager with 29 years of investment experience, 28 with Capital Group. Earlier in his career at Capital, he covered European construction and buildin...
May 17, 2019•38 min
The U.S. auto industry has seen its share of technological innovation through the decades, but perhaps none more dramatic than what lies just around the bend. Investment analyst Kaitlyn Murphy, a 14-year veteran of Capital Group, discusses the recent adoption of electric vehicles, the uneasy promise of autonomous cars and the challenge of investing in an industry mired in transition. Your host Matt Miller is the policy and communications advisor for Capital Group. An author and former Washington...
May 03, 2019•39 min