Perspectives: Episode 88 – Themes for 2024

<p><span style= "font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">In this episode, Escala Partners CIO, Tracey McNaughton, discusses some of the investment themes that will drive markets in 2024 including whether the Magnificent 7 can continue to be magnificent.</span></p> <p><span style= "font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">(0:52) The holiday and Santa Rally season is upon us, it seems. The stock market is once again priced for perfection. What is your advice to investors at this time of year?</span></p> <p><span style= "font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">(3:37) What are some investment themes to look out for in 2024? Some equity analysts are calling for 2024 to be a "stock picker's paradise." Do you agree?</span></p> <p><span style= "font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">(9:25) And then there is the whole AI safety issue that has been elevated in the wake of Sam Altman returning as CEO of OpenAI after being fired just four days before by the OpenAI board.</span></p> <p><span style= "font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">(11:25) One of the major topics of discussion at our Investment Committee meeting just yesterday was the outlook for Australian equities. We have been neutral Australian equities all year. Has that view changed?</span></p> <p><span style= "font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">(14:27) And speed in bringing down inflation is important, isn’t it?</span></p> <p><span style= "font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">(15:29) Tracey, you and the CIO team are about to go into your annual offsite meeting. On the agenda, as always, is a decision audit. Can you explain what that means and why you do it?</span></p>