In The Know

What did the latest reporting season reveal about the state of the Australian share market, and could the ASX's potentially biggest IPO in decades, Firmus Technologies, reshape the picture? In this episode of In The Know, Magellan’s Head of Distribution, Mark Burgess, is joined by Ray David, Portfolio Manager, and David Meehan, Investment Analyst, from Airlie Funds Management to unpack the results and the forces shaping the ASX. They breakdown why Airlie remains cautious on the banks, the companies that stood out for the right, and wrong reasons, and where market reactions may be creating opportunities for long-term investors. They also explore the impact of the global AI capital cycle, persistent inflation and higher interest rates, and whether the shifts seen this reporting season represent something more enduring than short-term market noise.

Asset-backed credit is a well-established part of Australia’s lending market, but it operates quite differently from corporate and real estate private credit that has attracted much of the recent attention. In this episode of In The Know, Simon Brinsmead from Barrenjoey is joined by Eric Williamson, Head of Private Credit Investments and Eva Zileli, Senior Fund Manager, Credit, from Barrenjoey Private Capital. They explain how asset-backed lending works, the residential mortgages and other financial assets underpinning these investments, and the layers of protection built into securitisation structures. They also examine Australia’s non-bank lending sector, how they assess credit quality and risk, and the role asset-backed credit can play within a diversified portfolio. Barrenjoey (including Barrenjoey Private Capital) is part of Magellan Financial Group Limited (ASX: MFG). This material has been delivered to you by Magellan Asset Management Limited ABN 31 120 593 946 AFS Licence No. 304 301 trading as Magellan Investment Partners (‘Magellan Investment Partners’) and has been prepared for general information purposes only and must not be construed as investment advice or as an investment recommendation. This material does not take into account your investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs and is not intended to constitute advertising or advice of any kind and you should not construe the contents of this material as legal, tax, investment or other advice.

Cellnex owns and operates around 112,000 telecom towers across ten European markets, generating recurring, contracted revenue from mobile operators who have few practical alternatives once a site is built. This episode of In The Know was recorded by GLIO (the Global Listed Infrastructure Organisation), with Cellnex CEO Marco Patuano and Roy Harrison, Investment Analyst in the Magellan Global Listed Infrastructure team. Together they unpack the tower business model and its economic moat, and why Marco believes the market may be mispricing Cellnex's risks. They also cover the drivers of organic growth, the company's shift from debt-fuelled M&A to balance sheet repair and shareholder returns and Marco's view on the investment case as free cash flow builds. Magellan Investment Partners would like to thank GLIO and Cellnex for the opportunity to bring this conversation to our audience.

Geopolitical events are no longer just creating short-term market volatility, they're reshaping the global investment landscape in more lasting ways. In this episode of In The Know, Alan Pullen is joined by Michael Allen, Managing Director and Partner at Beacon Global Strategies, to examine the structural changes unfolding across global politics. They discuss the future of NATO, the conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, the direction of US politics under President Trump, and why investors may need to rethink some of the assumptions that have underpinned markets for decades.

How are data and AI reshaping the future of active investing? Markets are moving faster than ever. AI is changing how investment managers research, think and ultimately make decisions — and the edge lies in knowing how to use it. In this episode of In The Know, Magellan’s Head of Distribution, Asia Pacific, Mark Burgess is joined by Rob Franklin, Research Manager at Vinva Investment Management, to unpack the evolution of AI in investment research, the growing importance of alternative data and why human judgement remains critical in navigating changing market regimes. Rob also shares insights into how Vinva combines disciplined, systematic processes with technology-driven innovation to build diversified portfolios in an increasingly competitive investment landscape.

Affordability pressures, alongside rapid investment, are reshaping the US economic story in 2026 — and the impact is being felt far beyond headline growth. In this episode of In The Know, Rebecca Hiscock-Croft, Investment Director for the Magellan Global Listed Infrastructure team, chats with Brett Loper, Executive Vice President for Policy at the Peter G. Peterson Foundation and Executive Director of the Peterson Solutions Fund, about what’s really driving the conversation on the ground — from the rising cost of housing and energy to the growing strain on household budgets. They explore how surging demand from AI and data centres is adding new demands on power systems and infrastructure and why utilities and energy are becoming an increasingly important, if less visible part of the conversation. With infrastructure and affordability now tightly linked, this discussion explores the forces set to define the next phase of the US economy.

How do you invest when markets feel driven by noise, narratives and sudden shocks? In this episode, Emma Fisher, Deputy Head of Australian Equities at Airlie Funds Management and Joe Wright, Deputy Portfolio Manager, discuss how they navigate volatility by staying anchored to process, fundamentals and valuation. They unpack the resurgence of “real assets”, the sharp sell-off in software and classifieds and why AI disruption fears may be creating opportunities in quality businesses. Emma and Joe also explore gold, commodities and portfolio positioning, discussing that while narratives can drive short-term moves, long-term returns are still shaped by earnings, balance sheets and disciplined stock selection.

What could derail markets or fuel the next rally - after 3 years of gains? In this conversation, Portfolio Managers Alan Pullen and Casey McLean join Investment Director and Analyst, Elisa Di Marco to reflect on the volatile start to 2025 and the powerful AI-driven rally that followed, before looking ahead to what 2026 may bring. The trio discuss expectations for more modest returns and a rotation toward quality and AI execution. They also highlight the sectors and companies they believe are best positioned to benefit as markets evolve. They explore potential upside surprises and key wildcards, from private credit risks to AI-led productivity gains. Above all, they emphasise the importance of investment discipline, fundamentals and long-term thinking in today’s volatile environment.

In today’s uncertain environment, is infrastructure still a safe haven? In this compelling conversation, Rebecca Hiscock-Croft, Investment Director with Magellan’s Infrastructure team, speaks with Portfolio Managers Ofer Karliner, Ben McVicar and David Costello about how they’re navigating market volatility. They explore where they see compelling value and structural growth in infrastructure and what they view as key risks, including richly valued US merchant power names tethered to the AI boom. https://magellaninvestmentpartners.com/ Related insights: US railroad shake-up: Inside America's biggest deal of the year

How is generative Artificial Intelligence impacting online search tools, and what does the future of search look like? That’s the focus of conversation between Elisa Di Marco, Investment Director and Analyst and Portfolio Manager Casey McLean. Elisa and Casey unpack the shift from traditional search engines to AI-powered “answer engines” such as Google’s newly launched AI Overview and AI Mode, and discuss how Google’s parent company, Alphabet, is navigating this transformation. They also highlight the key implications for investors in this new wave of digital disruption.

Following a volatile reporting season, we’re seeing one of the “unhappiest bull markets” in recent years. That’s according to Matt Williams, Head of Australian Equities at Airlie Funds Management. He joins Amy Manns, Relationship Manager at Magellan Investment Partners in this episode to discuss how Australian Equities are faring and what’s next for the market. The duo unpacks the forces behind heightened market volatility – and discuss key themes from the recent reporting season including the resilience of Aussie consumers, the recovery in small caps, soft results posted by banks and the risks of US housing exposure. Matt also explains recent standout results from stocks like Sigma-Chemist Warehouse and ResMed. He explores whether we can expect to see a revival of public markets; and reflects on the current market preference for growth stocks, sharing his evolving perspective on how to value them. Finally, Matt shares valuable lessons he’s learned throughout his career. With the Australian economy remaining sluggish overall, he emphasises the importance of staying invested long-term, not becoming distracted by the noise and sticking to what you know.

Artificial intelligence is rapidly working its way into our lives, but would you trust it not only to choose purchases but also to pay on your behalf? That’s the world we’re heading towards, according to Visa’s Chief Product Officer for Commercial and Money Movement Solutions, Mark Nelson. Elisa Di Marco, Magellan’s Investment Director and Analyst, joins Mark to explore how one of the world’s largest payments networks is shaping the next era of commerce. From tapping and tokenisation to AI-powered ‘agentic commerce’ that can shop on your behalf, Mark explains the innovations driving Visa’s growth, the trust and security underpinning its network and why stablecoins could accelerate payment digitisation in emerging markets. Mark also shares how AI agents could transform the way consumers plan, purchase and book holidays while ensuring Visa’s network keeps payments seamless and secure.

What separates a successful turnaround from a value trap? This month, Magellan’s Sector Head of Franchises and Healthcare, Hannah Dickinson, and Investment Analyst Emma Henderson explore consumer sector turnaround opportunities, focussing on household names like Nike, Estée Lauder, Gucci and Starbucks, all of which have hit temporary roadblocks. They explain Magellan’s disciplined four-pillar investment framework covering fundamentals, leadership, strategy and timing and discuss how to navigate the risks, behavioural traps and complexities involved. Using real-world examples and practical insights, they reveal why a patient, structured approach is necessary when analysing these investment opportunities.

Intuit’s transformation from a DIY financial software company to an AI-driven expert platform forms the backbone of this compelling conversation between the company’s Chief Technology Officer, Alex Balazs, and Magellan Portfolio Manager and Sector Head, Ryan Joyce. Together, they explore how Intuit uses generative AI to deliver done-for-you solutions for its 100 million customers by blending huge amounts of data, deep domain expertise, and broad platform capabilities. Alex shares his long-term vision for how AI will reshape the user experience, including video avatars, instant and secure money movement, and new forms of digital trust. With only a fraction of its total addressable market currently served, Intuit sees massive growth potential both in the US and globally — and believes it’s uniquely positioned to deliver the next wave of “killer apps” that truly empower small business prosperity.

The first 100 days of the second Trump administration have certainly been interesting for investors. And as the initial global tariff shock appears to be winding back, it’s a good time to draw on the thoughts and the insights of a Washington insider. National Security Expert Michael Allen, who was a Special Assistant to former President George W. Bush shares his thoughts in a wide-ranging interview. Magellan Head of Global Equities and Portfolio Manager Arvid Streimann talks with Michael about tariffs, the US government deficit, the Democrats, the US’s technological lead over China and the Chinese military buildup. Podcast recorded: 15 May 2025

In this episode, Magellan’s investment team looks at three interconnected investment sectors that continue to offer growth opportunities and compounding, dependable returns. The team explains how to still pick consumer-sector winners even in times of uncertainty. They explore why semiconductors are driving future innovation, being essential components powering a vast array of electronic devices we use daily. They also delve into the US energy landscape and how it is being reshaped by the growing influence of AI, data centres, and the return of manufacturing.

Morry Waked, the founder of Vinva Investment Management, sits down in conversation with Mark Burgess, Magellan's Head of Distribution, to explore the world of systematic investing. Morry explains how Vinva’s investment process stands apart from traditional quantitative investing and breaks down how Vinva uses data-driven insights, disciplined processes, and new technologies to generate strong investment performance. He discusses the role of machine learning, the importance of human expertise in distinguishing signal from noise, and why people — not just algorithms — are the key to success and pivotal to Vinva’s investment process and portfolio construction.

Infrastructure investments can provide good long-term, compounding returns, but the utilities sector — particularly electricity — is promising potentially dramatic new growth. Artificial intelligence and its need for huge, energy-intensive data centres are driving this demand. But are the promises real? Brian Van Abel, who is the CFO of one of America’s most significant energy companies, Xcel Energy, discusses the evolving new landscape with Magellan Portfolio Manager, Jowell Amores. As well as the potential for new income, they discuss increasing risks, like wildfires and how the company plans to keep its legendary below-average power bills competitive by embracing alternative energy. This Podcast is CPD Accredited for Financial Advisers: Access CPD Quiz

Opportunities abound for investors with an active management mindset in 2025. In this discussion on the outlook for markets and key themes for this year, ‘Magellan – In The Know’ draws on the knowledge of Head of Global Equities Arvid Streimann, Infrastructure Portfolio Manager Ben McVicar and Investment Director Elisa Di Marco. Together they break down what’s ahead — from Trump’s economic policies to interest rates, from inflation to the future of alternative energy, and the impact of AI on both Silicon Valley and the US utilities sector. They offer expert, insights to help investors tackle 2025 with confidence. This Podcast is CPD Accredited for Financial Advisers: Access CPD Quiz

The United States has spoken. President Trump will return to the White House in the new year. But how can we cut through the noise to reveal the investment, economic and geopolitical ramifications? Magellan’s Head of Global Equities and Portfolio Manager, Arvid Streimann, has over 25 years’ experience of following markets and politics, and over this time has built up a network of trusted contacts, he can offer a measured, independent view of the situation, including his expectations on Donald Trump’s policy initiatives and decision making. He’s joined by Investment Director Elisa Di Marco for an exploration of the implications of a Republican clean sweep, including the impact on standards of living and consumer sentiment, as well as the potential for deregulation, and President Trump’s promise to adopt protectionist policies in an effort to develop self-sufficiency. They share insights into geopolitical dynamics, including U.S.-China relations, Iran and Ukraine, and discuss the risks and opportunities for investors.