INVESTED: April Edition

WE’RE SWITCHING THINGS UP!

Introducing the new and improved Invested! Now, in addition to the trusted insights from Viewpoint Investment Partners and the Viewpoint Foundation, we’re bringing you a curated selection of must-read articles and must-listen podcasts that have captured our attention over the past month. Dive into a diverse array of topics, spanning from market updates to thought-provoking discussions on finance, philanthropy, and beyond. We hope you enjoy this fresh new look and even more engaging content!

Good morning! This edition of Invested offers insights into cash management strategies, ethical consumerism dilemmas, April’s investment trends, and a podcast discussion on energy demand, alongside intriguing reads from around the web. Happy reading!

VIEWPOINT SPOTLIGHT

SCOTT SMITH FEATURED IN CANADIAN FAMILY OFFICES ARTICLE

Three Family Office Executives on How They Are Handling Cash

Viewpoint CIO Scott Smith discusses portfolio allocation decisions in this article by Canadian Family Offices, emphasizing Viewpoint’s interpretation of the macroeconomic landscape. Anticipating persistent high U.S. interest rates and no “soft-landing,” diversified portfolios allow for cautious optimism. Click below for insights on shaping your investment strategy.

INSIGHTS FROM THE VIEWPOINT FOUNDATION

EXPLORING PHILANTHROPIC TRENDS & IMPACTFUL INITIATIVES

The Ethical Consumer’s Conundrum

Author Jessica Ratushniak delves into the challenges of making socially and environmentally conscious purchasing decisions. Highlighting the prevalence of greenwashing, the feasibility of ethical consumerism is in question, suggesting a need to shift responsibility onto producers and policymakers. Is ethical consumerism achievable, or is it an idealistic aspiration in today’s consumer landscape?

APRIL’S TREND WATCH

COMMODITIES TAKE CENTRE STAGE

Will the Tech Boom Feed the Commodity Cycle?

This article from the Financial Post delves into the intricate link between commodities, the economy, and global stocks. Despite central bank actions, commodity price impacts remain elusive, with AI technology driving unprecedented demand. How is this surge shaping the commodity cycle? Learn to navigate the evolving landscape with diversification.

An Eye-Watering Squeeze in Copper Ore Is Firing Up the Bulls

Bloomberg’s Jack Farchy and James Attwood uncover the tight copper market, driving prices to two-year highs. Bullish investors eye the market for copper ore concentrates, pondering a potential price surge. Yet, doubts persist about sustainability. Could this signal a new era for copper prices? Explore the dynamics and investment implications of this surge.

Find this topic interesting? Check out this piece from CIO Scott Smith:

From Missiles to Metals: Market Volatility in the Face of Geopolitical Tensions

Traditional German, Swiss Chocolate Makers Feel the Cocoa Crunch

The cocoa market’s squeeze, fueled by West African harvest shortages, sends chocolate prices soaring. As cocoa becomes a luxury, manufacturers face insolvency. Explore Bloomberg’s Look and Doenecke’s analysis on the challenges confronting chocolatiers, from supply chain woes to pricing pressures, and uncover strategies for navigating this upheaval in the chocolate industry.

Find this topic interesting? Check out these pieces from CIO Scott Smith:

The Buzz on Beans: From Cocoa to Coffee and Cocoa Prices Go Parabolic, Bunny Budgets Crumble

PODCAST PICK

UNLOCKING INSIGHTS, ONE EPISODE AT A TIME

How Electric Utilities Will Handle Booming AI Datacenter Demand

Bloomberg’s Odd Lots delves into the U.S.’s electricity demand surge, driven by AI datacenter expansion. Co-founder Brian Janous of Cloverleaf Infrastructure shares his insights, as the podcast explores the implications, from infrastructure strategies to major tech companies’ net-zero commitments. Tune in for a deeper understanding of this energy surge.

MORE TO EXPLORE

CURATED READS FOR THE INQUISITIVE

Why Everything is Becoming a Game

This blog from Gurwinder explores the pervasive influence of gamification in modern society, tracing its origins from B.F. Skinner’s experiments with pigeons to its application in shaping human behaviour. It reveals how gamification, once hailed as a force for positive change, now serves primarily to addict users to apps and manipulate behaviour for short-term gains.

Steve Schwarzman Says There Needs to Be Global Regulation on AI

In this article by Harry Brumpton, Blackstone CEO Steve Schwarzman warns of the AI boom straining power grids globally due to datacenter expansion. Schwarzman notes the massive investment in this area and Blackstone’s role in developing datacenters. He sees investment opportunities amid electricity shortages and stresses the need for global AI regulation to mitigate risks.