Bang on trend: what's happening across the globe

MEGATRENDS

clock •

Hans-Peter Portner, head of Pictet's sector and theme funds, takes a look at the world's most significant megatrends.

Some in the investment community treat it with scepticism and see it as a kind of abstract, academic exercise. But the truth is that analysing and understanding megatrends – the powerful geopolitical, environmental, economic, social and demographic forces shaping the globe – is one of the most practical endeavours investors can undertake. Indeed, in our experience, it is a discipline investors neglect at their peril. That the world is witnessing a period of upheaval is not in doubt. The ubiquity of technology and science, the growing economic power of emerging markets such as China an...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Investment

D2C platforms urged to improve 'daunting' onboarding process for new investors

D2C platforms urged to improve 'daunting' onboarding process for new investors

Monzo and Revolut top ease rankings

Patrick Brusnahan
clock 15 October 2026 • 2 min read
Watch Professional Adviser's Working Lunch with Baillie Gifford - Emerging Future: Rethinking the World's Growth Engine

Watch Professional Adviser's Working Lunch with Baillie Gifford - Emerging Future: Rethinking the World's Growth Engine

Catch up on the discussion

Professional Adviser
clock 13 October 2026 • 1 min read
Fifty years after 'Bogle's Folly', what comes next for financial advice?

Fifty years after 'Bogle's Folly', what comes next for financial advice?

'Indexing will continue to grow, but the wrapper through which investors access it will change'

Gillian Hepburn
clock 12 October 2026 • 4 min read