Factor investing: What's trending and why – Bobby Barnes

Joining us on the program today is Head of Quantitative Index Solutions, Bobby Barnes. Bobby discusses factors shaping today’s markets, AI, rate cuts, and much more. Bobby explains how there is a broadening of the stock market. Market is top-heavy with large stocks, leading to underperformance for most stocks. He adds it’s important to have active management and concentrate on stock picking. For him, he believes the focus should be on the twelve to eighteen-month horizon. Bobby also touches on the significance of AI on market dynamics.  He says AI is a theme to pay close attention to as it could potentially be a major factor at the stock level. Earnings are coming through right now for companies that are selling AI solutions. He adds the broadening out of the market and AI are connected. Turning to factor investing, he says things haven’t changed – what worked last year is working year-to-date. Bobby says drivers to follow are change in the cost of money, availability of money, consumer’s excess savings/consumer spending. He notes once the Fed cuts, you will not want to be in growth, quality, or momentum. 

Recorded on March 15, 2024.

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