'A balanced portfolio is a dangerous thing to hold right now' - Ruffer's Matt Smith

'Lower than ever reward'

Sophie King
clock • 1 min read

Ruffer investment director Matt Smith has told advisers he believes that balanced portfolios are a dangerous thing to be invested in at this point in the economic cycle.

Speaking at Professional Adviser's latest working lunch event on Wednesday (14 April), Smith said balanced portfolios have duration risk on both sides of the equation. "The bond portfolio has more duration risk than ever before, for lower reward than ever before," he said. "But the equity part of your portfolio also has very significant duration risk because of the degree to which investors have re-rated growth stocks in particular, which account for a larger percentage of the market than ever before." Smith said it was "low and stable inflation" that had permitted this. "Irrespect...

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 Your profession

Feel Good Friday: EQ Investors team completes 17.5-mile charity walk

Feel Good Friday: EQ Investors team completes 17.5-mile charity walk

For Carney’s Community

Professional Adviser
clock 02 October 2026 • 1 min read
'Affluent advice gap' sees unadvised individuals sit on £1.61trn amid commission concerns

'Affluent advice gap' sees unadvised individuals sit on £1.61trn amid commission concerns

The Lang Cat research

Jen Frost
clock 01 October 2026 • 3 min read
Succession Alliance launches first profession-wide succession survey

Succession Alliance launches first profession-wide succession survey

Open to people in all roles working in financial planning firms

Sophia Panayi
clock 29 September 2026 • 1 min read