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Powering the next cycle: Real assets in an AI‑driven, inflation‑persistent world

30 June 2026

Paul Kalogirou, Head of Client Portfolio Management, Asia & Global Multi-Asset Solutions

Christopher Walsh, CFA, Senior Portfolio Manager, Multi-Asset Solutions

Global supply chains are resetting under deglobalisation and geopolitics, shifting from global efficiency to more expensive regional resilience, embedding higher structural costs. At the same time, artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a new demand driver, accelerating investment in power, infrastructure, and materials. Against this backdrop of structurally higher inflation and dual demand pressures – from both supply-chain rewiring and AI capital expenditure – we believe real assets may play an increasingly important role in portfolios, offering exposure to long-term secular growth and AI trends.

Summary:

  • The global system is rewiring – with deglobalisation and geopolitics driving a shift from efficiency to resilience, embedding structurally higher costs and more persistent inflation.
  • AI is the new demand super cycle, fuelling a surge in investment across power, data centres, infrastructure, and critical materials.
  • Real assets sit at the centre of both trends, positioned as a core allocation to capture inflation resilience and long-term structural growth.

 

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With effect from 2 July 2026, the Customer Service Centre of Manulife Investment Management (Hong Kong) Limited is relocated to 23/F., Manulife Tower, One Bay East, 83 Hoi Bun Road, Kwun Tong, Kowloon.  This centre provides customer services in relation to Manulife InvestChoice Accounts, Manulife Advanced Fund SFC, Manulife Global Fund and Manulife Hong Kong Series.  Please call Customer Contact Centre at 2108 1110 to make an appointment prior to your visit.  

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