Trends investing

Beyond storytelling for true alpha generation

Trends investing is a great way for investors to take advantage of long-term changes, because trends are structurally underestimated. The human brain can hardly grasp their exponential growth. We have been exploring and profiting from this phenomenon for a long time.

The Big Book of trends and thematic investing

Picking the winners

To go beyond just telling great stories about trends, we dive deeper into trends investing. Our research enables us to determine the trends that will be shaping our world going forward. With this key performance driver for trends investing, we’ve built up a strong trends and thematic capability that contributes to our aim to successfully generate alpha.
Exponential growth. Disruption. New business models. For an investor to benefit, we have to pick the structural winners, but above all, avoid the losers.
Trends investing is about finding alpha, for example, by investing during the acceleration stage of technology adoption and side-stepping during the decelerating wave.

Trends investing is not about ‘going with the flow’. It is about anticipating the flow: looking ahead at the next decade; at our economy, our society and our planet.
Trend investing white papers

Finding tomorrow’s trends

Trends can be the key to long-term outperformance, but the investment process needs to be research-driven. We explain how to spot new trends and benefit from them.

Megatrends

Three megatrends are shaping the world to come: preserving Earth, transforming technology, and changing socio-demographics. These combine in unique ways to form the basis of our strategies. Think of Fintech and industrial innovation. Or more generic strategies, like our global growth strategy and consumer trends. We invest in attractive, high quality companies with pure trend exposure.

Our range also comprises impact investment strategies focusing on specific sustainable themes and/or SDGs, like sustainable water and smart mobility.
Our trend strategies

Megatrends shape business and society

Three powerful megatrends are shaping today’s world – transformative technology, ‘preserving Earth’ and changing sociodemographics.

Sustainability at the heart of our approach

As with all investment strategies at Robeco, a longstanding commitment to sustainability lies at the heart of our approach. ESG information is systematically integrated in the investment process of all trend & thematic strategies. We firmly believe this leads to better-informed investment decisions.

Tap into our expertise

Keep up with our knowledge and trends through articles, podcasts and videos:

More insights

Tap into our expertise

Keep up with our knowledge and trends through articles, podcasts and videos:

More insights

US tech giant Amazon single-handedly spent more on research and development (R&D) than Italy in 2019, and even more so in 2020.

23-02-2021 | Stunning statistics

Growth trends continue full steam ahead for the financial sector

2020 has truly been an epic year for the financial sector.

28-01-2021 | Insight

Consumer trends in 2021: The future of commerce and the caring economy

The Covid-19 pandemic suddenly accelerated some of the shifts our Global Consumer Trends strategy aims to benefit from.

21-01-2021 | Insight

Why do ‘quality compounder’ stocks always look impossibly expensive?

Trends investing focuses on the structural winners of secular growth trends, better known as ‘quality compounders’ – quality growth stocks able to compound shareholder value on a consistent basis.

08-01-2021 | Insight

Robeco FinTech turns three as industry gathers momentum

In just a few years, fintech has gone from being a nice niche investment concept to become one of the most coveted playfields for equity investors.

14-12-2020 | Insight

Sustainable thematic investing and UN SDGs, a natural fit

The UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide an excellent framework for investors to seek returns while helping shape a more sustainable world.

11-12-2020 | Insight