Today’s world is one of unprecedentedly close trade integration spanning everything from energy to semiconductors, growing geopolitical competition between major powers, and increasing pressures from forces such as climate change. How will these factors come together to shape the future world order?
 

Global power shifts will create many uncertainties. Trade fragmentation may push up inflation and undermine current monetary policy. If security and resilience now matter more efficiency, both companies and governments will have to take a new approach to capital allocation. Rising protectionism and economic nationalism may mean that export-driven economies will have to find new ways to manage relationships and power growth. How should investors approach these challenges?
 

Critics say that European markets lack dynamism. Yet they are still home to many fast-growing smaller companies that trade at reasonable valuations thanks to the lack of excitement around the region.
 

The artificial intelligence (AI) boom looks very different from technology cycles. It offers the potential to improve productivity across a wide range of sectors, yet at the same time the vast demands on IT hardware, power and other resources are creating physical bottlenecks. The outcome is a potential multi-decade investment trend that offers both huge opportunities and real risks.
 

Dividends can provide a solid foundation for returns in an uncertain environment, but investors need to avoid sacrificing long-term growth for high current income. A genuinely global approach should span a range of yields, sectors and regions, including emerging markets.
 

The peace dividend is over and investment in defence is a growing priority for governments around the world. Yet today’s budgets will not simply be invested in the same way as they were during the Cold War. New technologies from cyber attacks to drones are reshaping warfare, creating new challenges on a near-daily basis.

The energy transition will require far more from commodities such as copper and uranium than markets seem to be anticipating. The ever-increasing strategic importance of many of these metals implies that resource nationalism will be a further factor for investors to consider when analysing which companies are best placed to profit.

This year’s MoneyWeek Wealth Summit takes place one week after new chancellor John Healey is set to unveil his first Budget. Our guests will discuss whether the contents suggest that Andy Burnham has a workable plan for “good growth in every postcode”, the impact of government spending plans on UK bonds, and the tax and investment implications for all of us. 
 

Global indices are increasingly weighted towards the US and the tech sector – so where can investors find shelter if they are concerned about the possibility of an AI bubble? A value-focused approach to deeply unfashionable markets such as the UK offers one of the most attractive ways to diversify.
 

UK investment trusts have faced a number of headwinds in the last few years, but this has also created opportunities to buy in at a discount to fundamental value. Managers and boards have now begun to focus on improving performance and discounts have begun to close significantly in many areas once the right steps are taken. Investors should look for situations where there is a key catalyst for extracting value.     
 

Foreign buyers are snapping up high-quality UK companies at knock-down valuations. Domestic investors should stop ignoring the opportunity on their own doorstep and follow their example while these business remain on sale.
 

The UK remains one of the best places to start a business. Venture capital trusts provide a crucial role in providing the capital for start-ups that have proven their business model to scale up and grow in Britain and beyond.
 

An opportunity to connect with fellow investors.