INVESTED: May Edition

Good morning!

This month’s edition of Invested explores the growing complexity shaping markets, mental health, philanthropy, and long-term stewardship. From revisiting CIO Scott Smith’s timely insights on energy security and coal’s enduring role in a shifting global economy, to examining how hormones influence mental health across the lifespan, this issue highlights the interconnected forces shaping both individual well-being and broader systems. We also look at resurging inflation concerns, emerging warning signs beneath resilient markets, and how commodity disruptions are reshaping everything from food prices to global trade dynamics. Beyond markets, this month’s curated reads explore the evolution of international aid toward more localized, community-led models and the increasing importance of training, mentorship, and integrated expertise within modern family offices.

Happy Reading!

FROM THE ARCHIVE

LOOKING BACK AT INSIGHTS FROM THE VIEWPOINT TEAM

COAL’S SURPRISING RESILIENCE: THE GLOBAL ENERGY PARADOX

In 2024, our CIO Scott Smith explored the growing tension between energy transition ambitions and the realities of global energy demand. Two years later, amid rising electricity needs, AI-driven power consumption, and ongoing geopolitical instability, many of the questions raised in this piece remain highly relevant. As the world continues to balance decarbonization goals with energy security, this article offers a timely reminder that transitions are rarely linear.

INSIGHTS FROM THE VIEWPOINT FOUNDATION

EXPLORING PHILANTHROPIC TRENDS & IMPACTFUL INITIATIVES

MORE THAN MOOD SWINGS: HORMONES & MENTAL HEALTH

Hormones influence far more than physical health, they also play a significant role in mood, cognition, sleep, stress tolerance, and emotional regulation. This article from the Viewpoint Foundation explores how hormonal shifts across the lifespan, and due to chronic conditions affect both women and men, and can meaningfully impact mental health and overall well-being.

MAY’S INVESTMENT PULSE

WHAT TODAY’S MODERN MARKET TRENDS REVEAL ABOUT INVESTOR THINKING

INVESTORS FEAR ANOTHER SURGE IN INFLATION

After years of cooling inflation, investors are increasingly worried that price pressures could surge again. Rising energy costs, geopolitical instability, persistent fiscal deficits, and shifting central bank expectations are reigniting concerns that inflation may prove more resilient than markets had hoped. The article from The Economist explores why bond markets, inflation expectations, and global economic uncertainty are once again commanding investors’ attention.

WARNING SIGNS IN MARKETS ARE EMERGING THAT SHOULD NOT BE IGNORED

While markets continue to push higher, some investors are beginning to notice warning signs beneath the surface. Elevated valuations, geopolitical tensions, stubborn inflation risks, and growing pressure in bond markets are raising concerns about how sustainable current market optimism may be. This article from the Financial Post explores why disciplined positioning, diversification, and a focus on capital preservation are becoming increasingly important in today’s environment.

PODCAST PICK

UNLOCKING INSIGHTS, ONE EPISODE AT A TIME

WHY THE PRICE OF OIL, BEEF, ELECTRICITY, & EVERYTHING ELSE MAKES NO SENSE

From oil and fertilizer to beef and dairy, commodity markets are experiencing a new wave of disruption shaped by geopolitics, trade policy, and shifting energy dynamics. In this live-recorded Odd Lots episode, Javier Blas and Lorcan Roche Kelly unpack why today’s inflationary pressures look different from past commodity shocks, and what that could mean for consumers, farmers, and global markets moving forward.

MORE TO EXPLORE

CURATED READS FOR THE INQUISITIVE

THE DINOSAURS OF INTERNATIONAL AID MUST ADAPT OR DIE – THEIR EXPENSIVE ERA IS OVER

As global aid budgets shrink and geopolitical pressures intensify, some experts are questioning whether the traditional international aid model is still fit for purpose. This article from The Guardian argues that large aid organizations must shift power, funding, and decision-making closer to local communities rather than maintaining costly centralized structures. It explores the growing push toward more localized, community-led approaches to humanitarian and development work.

TRAINING AT THE FAMILY OFFICE: WHO’S DOING WHAT

As family offices evolve, many are recognizing that technical expertise alone is no longer enough. This article from Canadian Family Offices explores how training and professional development are becoming increasingly important across family office teams, from investment and operations staff to next-generation family members. It examines how education, mentorship, and cross-functional learning can strengthen decision-making, improve continuity, and better prepare organizations for increasingly complex wealth management environments.