Best Ideas
Portfolios

Invest in the ideas shaping our world

Can you see the world changing around you?

When was the last time you

used a camera?
pulled out an A-Z?
called someone on a landline?
went into a music shop?

The rise of mobile technology is just one theme driving deep structural change in world markets. The EQ Best Ideas portfolios tap in to these trends that are shaping our world, and invest to take maximum advantage of them.

Independent thinking

As an independent business we like to think differently. We’re nimble, and ideally positioned to take advantage of niche opportunities, smaller funds and newer fund managers.

We evaluate all major markets and invest your money where we see the right mix of risk vs. reward. It’s not easy to beat the market, so we don’t often find new gems. But we keep seeking them out.

“Admirably level-headed fund managers” - Anthony Hilton, The Evening Standard

A robust approach

We have a highly qualified team with the flexibility and expertise to consider all types of investment
We spend a lot of time analysing global markets with specialist tools
We invest in the areas of the market where we see the strongest opportunities
We are rigorous in selecting the best fund managers to exploit these opportunities
We keep our ingredients broad, but carefully select and blend them to suit each portfolio

Look under the bonnet

There are a number of long term, structural themes informing our research:

Artificial intelligence

Big data
Cloud computing
Machine learning
Software as a service
Autonomous vehicles

Computer scientists have developed machine learning techniques that aim to mimic human cognitive functions. Vast quantities of data are used to train sophisticated software involved in language translation, route planning, chatbots… even self-driving cars.

Robotics & automation

Semiconductors
Sensors & networks
Internet of things
3D printing
Battery revolution

Robotics is rapidly changing many aspects of how we work and live. Robots frequently work alongside humans on manufacturing assembly lines but advances in technology, particularly in software, are making their application ever broader, such as in the operating theatre, agricultural field, building environmental control and in transportation.

Digitalisation

Social & digital media
Marketing & advertising
Music & video streaming
Gaming
Cyber security

The digital transition started differently for everyone – LPs moved to CDs, VHS to DVD, newspapers to iPad. The shift from physical “media” to digital and now to online, on-demand “streaming” continues. Changing alongside our method and style of consumption are artist royalties and the marketing & advertising industries.

Healthcare

Biotechnology
Genomics
Pharmaceuticals
Long term care
Healthcare equipment

Mapping the human genome at the turn of the millennium accelerated the genomics revolution. Medicines can now more accurately target disease, therapies can be engineered to edit our DNA and technology is helping us to provide better treatments and detect illness at an earlier stage.

Future energy

Renewables
Grid energy storage
Energy efficiency
Nuclear power
Fossil fuels

Fighting climate change and the intensity of energy use is necessary to build a sustainable future. More efficient use of energy helps reduce overall demand and building renewables into the energy mix reduces our need for fossil fuels. However, renewables are intermittent, so energy supply still needs balancing. Utility scale battery technology could revolutionise this.

Fintech

Banking
Insurance
Asset management
Mobile payments
Blockchain

A healthy financial sector is needed to nurture growth in all economies. The nature of money is also going through a slow transformation, becoming increasingly digitised. This provides an avenue for innovative in the sector, most visibly with blockchain based applications.

Life’s luxuries

Health & fitness
Leisure & entertainment
Tourism
Media production
Discretionary retail

As our standard of living improves and as our understanding of well-being changes, our choices for discretionary spending are transformed. Spending choices also differ by generation – technologies change, societal interests and values evolve, all leading to different patterns of consumption.

Life’s essentials

Agriculture
Food production
Organic products
Fertilisers
Food staples

We all have some basic needs for survival, the most fundamental of which are food & water. Our specific choices have evolved over time as farming methods improve and supply becomes more plentiful. However, a growing global population and limited natural resources mean life’s essentials are good business.

Core infrastructure

Telecommunications
Water supply
Waste management
Logistics & shipping
Education

Essential links between our towns, cities and across countries come in many forms and with greater volumes of traffic comes more business. Whether it’s the operator of a communications network, the manufacturer providing replacements for aging pipes, there are a variety of niche businesses that benefit from global growth.

Real estate

Homebuilders
Construction
Retail parks
Office parks
Energy efficiency

Increasing global populations and increasing levels of urbanisation across both the developed and emerging markets means there is a near constant need for new places to live, work and have fun.

Materials

Rare earth elements
Metals
Chemicals
Timber
Miners
Refiners

As we build the world around us, there is a constant need for new materials. We are always making more efficient use of resources, but as technologies evolve, the resources needed change also.

Demographics

Centennials
Millenials
Gen X
Baby Boomers

As populations age, dependency ratios change and consumption patterns shift. A host of knock-on changes ensue, affecting demand, inflation, labour markets and supply chains.

A strong track record

Select a risk grade to see how our Best Ideas portfolios have performed:

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More details

Past performance is not a guide to future performance. The value of investments and the income derived from them may go down as well as up, so you could get back less than you originally invested.

Model performance is shown in sterling, net of underlying fund charges and an EQ management fee of 0.59% (including VAT) per annum, but excludes platform and advice fees. Underlying fund charges may vary depending on platform. All income reinvested; actual returns may vary. We use Asset Risk Consultants (ARC) to benchmark the performance of our portfolios. ARC benchmark figures are based on participating investment managers' actual performance data, net of fees, following the last quarter end. Data sources: EQ, Morningstar.