Agenda

The world has entered a multi-decade period of surging infrastructure and defence spending. Simultaneously, elevated geopolitical uncertainty is driving nations to reorient supply chains towards their most trusted economic allies. Against this backdrop, First Trust will detail the truly global nature of the opportunity in defence spending, going far beyond the typical companies most associate with the theme. We also believe the closely related opportunity in infrastructure is not just in Germany or Europe, but globally. We’ll explore which firms will be instrumental in delivering the systems and equipment necessary to safeguard countries against evolving security challenges, and which materials could prove essential.

Emerging Markets remain a major engine of global growth. In this session, we explore how active investing – powered by targeted, constructive engagement – uncovers under-recognised quality businesses both within Asia and across the broader Emerging Markets universe. By focusing on fundamentals, long-term structural growth drivers, and governance improvements, active engagement becomes a key source of differentiation and a meaningful return enhancer. We will also discuss how disciplined stock selection, portfolio construction, and risk awareness enable investors to capture long-term value across a complex and fast-evolving EM landscape.

TT discusses how today’s shifting macroeconomic and geopolitical backdrop is reshaping opportunities across emerging market debt. The presentation explores how blind spots in hard-currency markets and flow dynamics and market structure in local markets can uncover value overlooked by traditional EM debt frameworks - illustrating how TT’s differentiated process identifies non-consensus opportunities in a rapidly evolving landscape.