We’re living through extraordinary times. As I look back on my first two months with M&G Investments and everything that our investors have had to digest given market volatility this quarter, I’m grateful to the excellent team I have joined for their consistent, considered and calm approach to managing uncertainty on behalf of our valued clients.

While it might feel overwhelming to navigate such a complex market environment, you can take comfort in being invested with a trusted global investment manager that puts you first.

Through unpredictability, we continue to stay true to our long-term, prudent, valuation-driven investment philosophy supported by rigorous risk control. We strongly believe this approach leads to sustainable investment performance for our clients over time.

In this edition, we feature our M&G Bond Fund, which achieved a hat trick this quarter, receiving three fund performance awards in recognition of its three-year performance. These accolades reflect the quality of M&G Investments’ fixed income capability and the consistency with which the team has delivered investment excellence. Portfolio Managers Rene Prinsloo and Roshen Harry explain why this fund stands out, the benefits for our investors, the current market environment and where we are seeing value.  

Our M&G Property Fund was also the recipient of fund performance accolades from the industry in the first quarter. Watch the video featuring Portfolio Managers Rahgib Davids and Yusuf Mowlana as they share their medium-term outlook for property as an asset class.

For a global perspective, another video to explore is an interview with Craig Simpson, Head of Portfolio Management for our global multi-asset team based in the UK and Shane Woldendorp, our newly appointed Global Investment Specialist based in our Claremont office. Craig spent time with our clients around the country in his recent visit to South Africa, sharing his global view and insights.

In two articles from our ESG team, we explore why asset managers engage with investee companies as well as key ESG learnings from a Harvard Business Review report, which states that when it comes to sustainability and ESG, “Companies can’t sit on the sidelines anymore because, well, there are no sidelines. In a transparent world, your silence will speak volumes.”

You’ll also get to meet our new Head of Retail, Waseem Abrahams, who joined our team this quarter. Read his thoughts on the Conduct of Financial Institutions (COFI) Bill in South Africa, which is designed to change how financial institutions interact with their clients to ensure fair consumer outcomes. 

We hope you enjoy the local and global insights in this issue. As always, we value your feedback. I would also personally like to thank you for your continued support, and to assure you that we remain dedicated to delivering consistent investment outcomes for you.