Australian equity valuations have shifted since 2020, with some areas cooling off while others remain unexpectedly elevated. It’s a market full of contrasts, and Dougal Maple‑Brown discusses one of the key drivers: De-rating of the Darlings.

Australian equities have begun shifting away from the momentum-driven extremes of recent years, with valuation gaps narrowing as once‑popular market darlings undergo meaningful de‑rating. In an environment where headline multiples remain elevated, value investor Dougal Maple‑Brown sees the most compelling opportunities emerging beneath the surface as overstretched stocks reset and long‑term fundamentals reassert themselves. From select names like CSL and Woolworths, where expectations have sharply recalibrated, to areas such as energy that still trade below long‑run pricing assumptions, Maple‑Brown argues that valuation discipline is finally being rewarded—while caution remains essential in parts of the market where prices continue to imply…

Insider trading often draws investor attention, but interpreting these moves isn’t always straightforward. Insider buying is generally seen as a vote of confidence, while selling is more ambiguous. Large, non-routine, and coordinated sales can signal caution, yet many disposals are driven by personal reasons like tax obligations or portfolio diversification. Studies show insider selling can precede weaker returns, especially when multiple insiders sell significant stakes. Routine or small trades, however, usually carry little weight. For investors, context is key - size, timing, and intent matter. Insider activity should therefore prompt deeper due diligence, rather than be an automatic verdict on…

The UK water sector faces a critical challenge: reversing decades of underinvestment while managing customer affordability. For our holdings United Utilities and Severn Trent, the path forward requires simultaneously addressing environmental degradation and keeping bills manageable during a cost-of-living crisis. This article examines how both companies are navigating this transformation as the sector enters AMP8 (2025-30) with significantly larger capital programmes and intensifying regulatory scrutiny.

We enter 2026 with investment optimism. While growth risks linger and inflation remains sticky, these conditions historically favour infrastructure assets. At the same time, powerful secular trends, decarbonisation and digitalisation, are creating significant opportunities across the sector. Valuations for listed infrastructure look fair on an absolute basis and attractive relative to broader equity markets and private transactions. Our focus remains on actively managing a portfolio of high quality infrastructure assets with high barriers to entry and strong strategic positions, delivering inflation-linked cash flows and attractive risk-adjusted returns through the economic cycle.

The 2025 calendar year marked a decisive breakout for Australian small caps – can this momentum extend into 2026? Market earnings growth forecasts favour small caps over large caps across FY26–FY27. The recovery cycle also appears to have further room to run, with historical trough-to-peak comparisons pointing to additional upside in both duration and magnitude. Adding to this strength is an emerging resources renaissance at the smaller end of the market, where companies offer diversity of commodity and greater exposure to both gold and high-growth emerging thematics, including electrification and the energy transition.

Portfolio Manager Andrew Maple-Brown joins Dean McLelland, CFA, to share why we’re optimistic about the outlook for global listed infrastructure. Supportive macro conditions—marked by ongoing growth risks and persistent inflation—create an environment where infrastructure assets can thrive. Mega themes like decarbonisation and digitalisation are driving sector growth, while valuations remain attractive compared to broader equities and private markets. Our focus is on high-quality assets with strong strategic positions and barriers to entry, including electric utilities, water utilities and communication infrastructure.

Portfolio Manager Phillip Hudak, CFA, joins Dean McLelland, CFA, to share why he believes the recent resurgence in Australian small caps could extend into 2026. While some domestic tailwinds may ease, Phillip sees a broadening recovery in earnings growth and expects small companies to outperform large caps, reinforcing their investor appeal. Compared to previous cycles, he anticipates compelling upside—not just in the magnitude of returns, but in the duration of this recovery. Improving earnings momentum, stronger market breadth and selective valuation opportunities all point to a favourable environment for active stock pickers.

After a turbulent 2025, value stocks staged a strong rebound in the second half of the year. What drove this shift—and can it last into 2026? In his latest video, Dougal Maple-Brown joins Dean McLelland, CFA, to explore why stretched valuations snapped back, how market favourites like CBA, Wesfarmers and CSL have repriced, and the influence interest rates may have on returns in the year ahead. His outlook for FY2026? It won’t be all smooth sailing – but there are opportunities for those ready to position strategically.