The End of ESG
ESG is not dead—it’s evolving. Discover how Alex Edmans redefines environmental, social, and governance investing as an integral part of long-term value creation, beyond politics and box-ticking.
LCI Monthly – What Shaped September 2025
September 2025, a turbulent month in global politics and economics: Trump plans 100% tariffs on medicines and higher visa costs, while the Fed cuts rates under pressure. Europe faces U.S. demands on digital taxes, France loses its prime minister, and Russia strikes NATO territory. Gold hits record highs, Switzerland signs a Mercosur trade deal.
OECD Economic Outlook – September 2025
Global growth remained more resilient than expected in early 2025, driven by emerging markets and the US. Industrial activity and trade were boosted by front-loading ahead of US tariff hikes, which reached an effective rate of 19.5% by August — the highest since the 1930s. While the full impact is still unfolding, early signs of strain are visible in consumption, labour markets and prices. Risks to the outlook remain tilted to the downside, though easing trade restrictions or rapid advances in AI could provide upside surprises.
LCI Monthly – What Shaped August 2025
August 2025 saw mounting political pressure on the U.S. Fed and a looming confidence vote in France, shaking investor sentiment. While eurozone 10-year yields held steady, credit spreads in the U.S. remained tight amid demand for high-grade corporates. Global equities rose modestly, led by emerging Asian and resource-rich markets.
Too Many Challenges for Equity Markets: La Côte Invest Now Hedging 50% of Its Equity Exposure
Amidst global economic uncertainties, La Côte Invest is taking proactive measures by hedging 50% of its equity exposure. This strategic move involves implementing a Put Spread strategy with a lookback feature, aiming to protect the portfolio from potential market downturns.
LCI Monthly – What Shaped July 2025
U.S. inflation rose to 2.7% in July, keeping Fed rates steady at 4.25–4.50%. Trump escalated trade tensions with new tariffs, while markets rebounded, led by Nvidia surpassing $4 trillion. Spain faced tourism strikes, and England’s Lionesses clinched the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 in Basel.
LCI Monthly – What Shaped June 2025
June was shaped by Middle East tensions, a sharp but short-lived oil price spike, and diverging central bank paths, with the Fed on hold and the ECB cutting rates. Trump’s renewed attacks on Powell pressured the dollar, while the BIS warned of rising global fragility. A 90-day US-China tariff truce brought only temporary relief to markets.
OECD Economic Outlook – June 2025
The global economic outlook is deteriorating, with rising trade barriers, policy uncertainty, and tightening financial conditions threatening growth. Inflation risks remain high, driven by trade disruptions—though lower commodity prices may offer some relief. A reversal in trade tensions could provide a much-needed boost.
LCI Monthly – What Shaped May 2025
May 2025 saw a shift in the global landscape: the U.S. economy contracted, Moody’s downgraded U.S. debt, and trade tensions eased with delayed tariffs. Equity markets rallied, especially in Europe and North America. Friedrich Merz became Germany’s new Chancellor, Pope Leo XIV was elected, and bond yields rose as markets reacted to fiscal concerns and central bank signals.
LCI Monthly - What Shaped April 2025
President Trump’s sweeping tariffs and public attacks on the Federal Reserve rattled markets and global allies in April 2025. His increasingly autocratic rhetoric added to geopolitical unease. Tesla reported a sharp earnings slump, hit by reputational backlash tied to Musk’s political ties. Meanwhile, U.S. consumer confidence dropped to a 13-year low, reflecting growing economic and political uncertainty.
Prosperity Has a Foundation – and It's Beginning to Crumble
As democracy, rule of law, and open markets come under pressure—even in long-trusted economies like the U.S.—investors must rethink geographic diversification. Institutional resilience, not short-term data, is the true driver of sustainable returns. In a world of rising political risk, long-term capital should flow to countries where the foundational pillars of prosperity remain strong and intact.
OECD Economic Outlook – March 2025
Global growth held steady at 3.2% in 2024, but recent indicators show signs of weakening. Inflation remains persistent, sentiment is softening, and policy uncertainty is high. Risks include tighter monetary policy and financial market disruptions. A key concern is rising global fragmentation—though a reversal in tariffs could boost growth. The outlook is increasingly fragile and dependent on policy direction.
Trump Is Nero While Washington Burns
French Senator Claude Malhuret delivers a scathing warning about America’s retreat from global leadership, likening Trump to Nero as the pillars of democracy burn. His viral speech urges Europeans to wake up, rearm morally and militarily, and stand firm for Ukraine and democratic values. In his view, Europe's future now depends on its own resolve—not Washington’s.
US Stock Markets Under Pressure: Concerns Over Economic Slowdown Under Trump
Investor optimism following Trump’s re-election has faded amid rising fears of an economic slowdown. Markets tumbled, with the S&P 500 down 3% and Tesla plunging 15%. Slowing demand, political turmoil, and recession warnings weigh heavily. Bond yields have dropped, and key indicators point to weakening growth. Trump now frames the downturn as a “transition period”—but confidence is slipping fast.
LCI Strategic Asset Allocation: Reduction of US Investments
Trump’s destabilizing actions have shaken global trust in the U.S., prompting La Côte Invest to act. Amid rising geopolitical risk and growing domestic polarization, we’ve halved our U.S. equity weighting relative to market capitalization and introduced a 10% gold allocation. These strategic shifts reflect our commitment to protecting long-term client stability in an increasingly uncertain global environment.
U.S. to Implement New Tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China: A Risky Strategy?
The U.S. will impose new tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China—raising serious economic and strategic concerns. Despite justifications tied to trade deficits, migration, and the fentanyl crisis, critics warn of supply chain disruptions, rising consumer costs, and diplomatic fallout. La Côte Invest views the move as economically risky, potentially undermining key trade relationships and further destabilizing global market confidence.
Doubts About China’s Economic Data
The Chinese government reported 5% economic growth for 2024, aligning with the target set by the National People’s Congress. According to official statements, this was mainly driven by stimulus measures in the final quarter and strong exports. However, experts like the economists at the Rhodium Group estimate actual growth for 2024 at only 2.4% to 2.8%.
OECD Economic Outlook – Decembre 2024
Our central scenario in the Economic Outlook portrays a picture of resilience. However, this optimism is tempered by significant uncertainties. Elevated geopolitical tensions risk disrupting energy markets and supply chains, potentially driving inflation higher and dampening economic activity. More broadly, these tensions have created headwinds for trade in both advanced and emerging markets, heightening uncertainty over the future course of global trade. A more fragmented, protectionist trading environment and inward-looking policies would negatively affect competition, raise prices, and hinder productivity and growth, while also weighing on the potential for emerging market economies to catch up.
ESG - Ever So Gone
Once hailed as the future of responsible investing, ESG is fading fast in the U.S. Politicized, diluted, and often greenwashed, its promise to reshape capitalism has collapsed. With regulators pulling back and investors losing faith, America’s “sustainable” revolution seems over — replaced by a wave of economic nationalism.
Why Active Funds Fail and How La Côte Invest Ensures Success
Over 80% of active funds have underperformed their benchmarks over the past decade, according to SPIVA data. At La Côte Invest, we focus on what truly drives long-term success: a sound, cost-efficient strategy tailored to each client. By relying primarily on passive instruments and only taking active positions when conviction is high, we ensure consistency, transparency, and performance.