The Barings Investment Institute conducts proprietary research to help our teams make the most of the firm’s unique expertise in public and private markets around the world, while exploring the forces that shape long-term investment and capital decisions.

White Paper - 20 min read

Cluster Cities: A Chinese Experiment in the Future of Urbanisation

China’s success in growing city clusters of previously unimaginable size is dependent on three key factors: continued rural-to-urban migration, planning that spans disparate administrative areas, and massive infrastructure investment.

Bearish Positioning is Met By Dovish Central Banks

The three things you need to know this week: Extreme bearishness amid increased pessimism, an impatient ECB and a boldly dovish pivot from the Federal Reserve.

How to Invest for the next “Cold War” … & Why It Won’t Be Anything Like the Last One

The headlines make it seem that the world’s largest economic relationship is headed for dramatic rupture, but for the foreseeable future there will be peril, opportunity and everything in between.

Leading Thoughts - 4 min read

The Coming Melt Up ... Or At Least What You Need To Believe For It To Come True

If these propositions hold out, then there is likely upside in risk assets globally. If more than a few are wrong, of course, then you will be see the unraveling before your very eyes.

Leading Thoughts - 4 min read

Italy, Europe ... & the United Federation of Planets

It’s easy to ridicule the lumbering political institutions of the European Union, but unwise to bet against them.

Monthly Macro Dashboard - 14 min read

May Macro Dashboard

Global growth activity is slowing, but remains healthy. Global central banks appear to be aligned in either a dovish or neutral mode. Recent risk-off market activity has pushed the USD higher, putting downward pressure on commodity pries. Trade war is still top of mind.

Financing the Internet of Things—Live from Barings 360

In this episode of Streaming Income recorded live on stage at the Barings 360 Private Markets Conference, Dr. Christopher Smart discusses his latest white paper.

Podcast - 30 min listen

Chekhov’s Gun & the Permanent Threat of Tariffs

The increasing prominence and permanence of trade threats is creating an awkward and complicated world for investors forced to navigate this new reality. What does this latest round mean for us?

Keeping Score on U.S./China Trade

Investors should watch the growing impact this escalation has on the U.S. consumer, the profitability of Chinese exporters and outlook for monetary policy.

White Paper - 17 min read

Financing the Internet of Things

How new technologies that improve industrial operations will shape fresh opportunities for finance.

Weekly Update: Oil Instability Amid Rising Mid-East Tensions

June 14, 2019: The three things you need to know this week: Suspected attacks in the Gulf of Oman, the Contest for U.K. leadership is underway and Protests in Hong Kong

Weekly Update June 7, 2019

The three things you need to know this week: The rates outlook amid recent Fedspeak, sliding global growth according to the World Bank and still tight labor markets in the U.S.

Weekly Update May 24, 2019

The three things you need to know this week: Estimates of Global Growth Lowered, U.S. Budget Deal Sit-Rep, a Possible Populist Wave at the EU Parliamentary Elections.

Weekly Update May 17, 2019

The three things you need to know this week: Global Oil Demand Set to Slow, Fed Cut Expectations Rising, Earnings Update on Both Sides of the Pond.

Doomsday Preppers: The Most Likely Paths to the Next Recession

It’s hard to see a recession happening this year … but careful investors should always keep an ear cocked to the whispers of the disparate doomsayers.

Weekly Update May 10, 2019

The three things you need to know this week: Results from the latest Fed Senior Loan Officer Survey, EZ Outlook, and Slowing Chinese Credit Growth.

Weekly Update May 3, 2019

The three things you need to know this week: 1Q Earnings Continues, New Chinese Banking Regulations, and Trade.