09:00
WELCOME – PAUL CHAPMAN, H&B Chairperson
09:15
EXECUTIVE ORDERS & MARKET BORDERS | AMERICA’S POLICY RESET
What will shape America's fiscal future in this new era of government? This session explores the intricate policy landscape following the presidential transition, unraveling the complex interplay between executive power and congressional dynamics.
Delving beyond headlines, our speaker will decode the practical implications of potential fiscal policy shifts, from tax reform initiatives to federal budget priorities. Through expert analysis, we'll explore the outcome of major policy decisions and examine the Federal Reserve's role in maintaining economic stability amidst political transitions.
Discover how this evolving policy landscape might reshape investment considerations, from regulatory changes to market dynamics, and understand why grasping these political nuances could be crucial for navigating investment decisions in 2025 and beyond.
SPEAKER:
LIBBY CANTRILL, Head of US Public Policy, PIMCO (Virtual presenter)
9:50
FROM THE GROUND UP | AUSTRALIA'S CAPITAL SPECTRUM UNCOVERED
Is the Australian investment landscape hiding untapped potential right beneath our feet? This session brings together experts from small cap equities and credit markets to unravel the intricate layers of domestic investment opportunities.
Delving beyond surface-level analysis, our speakers will explore how deep local market knowledge reveals hidden value across debt and equity channels. From the unique dynamics of Australian small cap performance to the subtle complexities of credit markets, we'll uncover how regional insights can transform investment strategies.
Discover why understanding the full Australian capital structure might be the most intelligent approach for discerning investors.
SPEAKER:
VIVEK PRABHU, Head of Fixed Income, Perpetual Asset Management
JONATHAN TOLUB, Director, InvestSense
10:45
MORNING TEA
11:10
LOAN RANGER | NAVIGATING THE FRONTIERS OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE CREDIT
As traditional fixed income boundaries evolve, this session delves into the contrasting landscapes of public and private credit markets. Examining the dynamics of liquidity, transparency and yield, the discussion will explore how these distinct credit ecosystems both compete and complement each other within modern investment portfolios.
Our speakers will provide insights into the structural differences, including the accessibility and regulatory transparency of public markets versus the bespoke complexity and potentially higher returns of private markets. The conversation will address current market challenges and opportunities, equipping investors with strategies to balance yield potential, risk management and market accessibility in today’s sophisticated financial environment.
SPEAKERS:
FRANK DANIELI, Managing Director | Head of Credit Investments and Lending, MA Financial Group
DAMON SHINNICK, Portfolio Manager, Western Asset Management
MICHAEL KARAGIANIS, Head of JANA Wealth, JANA Investment Advisers
12:20
BUILDING BRIDGES | WHEN THE FOUNDATION MEETS THE FUTURE
As interest rates decline, infrastructure investments are evolving beyond their historically defensive posture to showcase a blend of stability and growth. Traditional infrastructure assets like regulated utilities and monopolistic providers continue to offer dependable, low-volatility options, while newer opportunities in user-pays sectors, such as transport and communications, introduce growth potential. Geographic flexibility also plays a role, with some strategies emphasizing established markets and others exploring emerging regions.
In this session, our speakers will unpack the nuanced asset class infrastructure has become, capable of delivering both stability and strategic growth where an opportunity lies in discerning which assets align with your preference for stability or expansion within a shifting monetary environment.
SPEAKERS:
CHARLES HAMIEH, Managing Director | Portfolio Manager, ClearBridge Investments
WARRYN ROBERTSON, Portfolio Manager | Analyst, Lazard Asset Management
JO CORNWELL, Head of Manager Research, Evidentia Group
13:30
LUNCH
14:30
RISE ABOVE CASH RATES | BREAKING FREE WITH AUSTRALIAN BONDS
In an era marked by heightened global economic uncertainty, geopolitical risk and the impacts of the Trump Administration's economic policies, how should we thinking about yields and downside protection?
With the RBA poised to begin its easing cycle, yields falling globally, the erosion of term deposit rates, APRA’s hybrid phase-out, and moderating inflation, investors need to rethink their views on income generation and defensive asset portfolio construction into 2025 and beyond.
Our speaker will explore the spectrum of opportunities on offer across the Australian bond and credit universe to secure attractive income, reduce overall portfolio risk, and hedge portfolios against expected economic headwinds.
SPEAKER:
ROBERT MEAD, Head of Australia I Co-head of Asia-Pacific Portfolio Management, PIMCO
15:30
AFTERNOON TEA
15.55
POWERING TOMORROW | THE NEW COMMODITIES REVOLUTION
Just as coal and iron fuelled the first industrial revolution, a new wave of critical commodities is driving the global energy transition. But where are the overlooked opportunities beyond the headlines?
This session explores how the commodities landscape is being transformed by the green revolution, digitalization, and evolving global demand patterns. Our speaker will examine how investors can potentially capture differentiated returns by looking beyond traditional commodity markets to the emerging critical materials and services that will power tomorrow's economy.
Drawing on decades of commodities expertise, we'll explore why the path to net zero isn't just about renewable technology – it's about the fundamental materials and infrastructure that make these advances possible. Learn how strategic positioning in this evolving sector could offer genuine portfolio diversification and potential alpha generation opportunities in ways traditional commodity exposure cannot match.
SPEAKER:
SAM BERRIDGE, Portfolio Manager, Perennial Partners
16:50
MACHINES, POWER AND DESTINY | AI ASCENDANCY & GEOPOLITICAL FLUX IN THE RACE TO 2050
The convergence of accelerating AI capabilities and mounting geopolitical tensions presents challenges to global stability. While media focuses on AI's technological advances, the deeper societal implications - from labor market disruption to existential questions about humanity's role alongside super-intelligent systems - demand urgent attention. As we approach potential technological singularity, debates intensify about whether AI will augment or eventually supersede human civilisation.
Against this technological backdrop, 2024 brings immediate geopolitical risks: a pivotal US election amidst democratic strain, an enduring Ukraine conflict, escalating Middle East tensions, and Iranian nuclear ambitions. China's assertive stance toward Taiwan adds another critical flashpoint.
Looking toward 2050, these near-term challenges intersect with AI's long-term implications. The fusion of advanced AI with military capabilities, cyber warfare, and information systems could fundamentally reshape power dynamics between nations, potentially transforming traditional geopolitical paradigms before any technological singularity emerges.
SPEAKER:
KEITH SUTER, Managing Director, Global Directions
17:45
DRINKS & CANAPÉS – Bang Bang
18:30
SYMPOSIUM DINNER – Bang Bang