Enlightenment thinkers played crucial roles in shaping early economic thought, focusing on specialisation and market functions. Part of the Markets short course, Thinking Differently About Markets, this lecture traces the evolution of economic and financial theories to provide historical context to modern thinking about the markets.

Traditional thinking about markets can be limiting - understanding the broader context, rather than relying solely on predefined structures, is crucial for effective decision-making. Part of the Markets short course, Thinking Differently About Markets, this lecture looks at the concept of "markets" both theoretically and practically.

Part of the Markets short course, Thinking Differently About Markets, this lecture explores the themes of money, debt, and financial crises, reviewing both orthodox and heterodox perspectives and how economic thinking has evolved over time.

Understanding monetary policy, credit cycles, and financial stability is crucial for navigating financial markets effectively. Part of the Markets short course, Thinking Differently About Markets, this lecture emphasises the importance of understanding market behaviour, how central banks make interest rate decisions, and the signs that indicate shifts in asset performance and potential investment opportunities.

Markets remain fundamentally games of prediction and reaction, despite technological and financial advancements that have seen financial markets expand, introducing a vast array of investment instruments. Part of the Markets short course, Thinking Differently About Markets, this lecture explores portfolio construction in a financial landscape defined by Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity (VUCA).

The new US administration could upend assumptions about global growth and markets for years to come. Investors need to prepare portfolios now for a new investing era.

Near- and medium-term gaps in current market narratives and perceptions lead to a simple conclusion - it is time for caution.

Extraordinary and interrelated developments are unfolding in politics, geopolitics and deep tech innovation. Trump's disruptive approach has enormous implications for global markets.

By combining AI, alternative data sets, and human expertise, investors can identify new themes, access untapped markets, and capitalise on market dislocations.

As inflation has re-emerged, interest rates have risen and asset prices have levelled off and even declined, a withdrawal of capital from commercial real estate lending markets is creating a new opportunity to be greedy when others are fearful.

For the last decade, technology companies have been rallying. But quality investing is more than just tech. Defensive equity growth opportunities can fill a defensive gap in portfolios.

The heightened VUCA macro environment, coupled with an unprecedented set of industry and government catalysts, is creating a generational investment opportunity for infrastructure.

As the private credit sector grows, it faces increasing media scrutiny, making a manager's approach to disclosure of default rate and causes an increasingly important consideration for investors.

The US (and soon rest of world) hasn't seen this much demand for power since World War 2. While this introduces investment possibilities for many segments, listed infrastructure is disproportionately well-placed to fill this gap.

Investors should pivot exposure to the growing number of high quality, mid-cap companies that have reinvested to develop market-leading products with global opportunities and long runways for growth.

At current valuations, high quality core bonds offer attractive yields relative to cash, as well as the prospect of higher and less volatile returns than equities over the next five years.

Direct lending has become the fastest-growing segment within private credit offering the opportunity for premium yields that are often unavailable in the public credit markets.

As investors chased Mag7, a wide valuation gap opened up. Investors need a fresh growth narrative. TICKing off four markets - China, India, Korea, and Taiwan - is the most efficient starting point and opportunities abound.

The lower coverage of SMID Caps means greater opportunity to exploit market mispricing relative to large caps.

In mid-market Australian private equity, where inefficiencies and hands-on value creation thrive, outsized returns are being captured beyond the public eye.