HUGO PATRICK BOLGER
Ireland
1mo
Key Investment Themes for 2026 (pt.1) *Basic Materials* Critical Minerals & Energy Transition Metals – Demand for lithium, copper, nickel, cobalt, and other rare earths continues to accelerate as the world electrifies and decarbonises. These materials are essential for electric vehicles, battery storage, renewable energy infrastructure, and grid modernisation. Tight supply dynamics, especially for copper and lithium, are a significant driver of investor interest as new production struggles to keep pace with demand growth. Geopolitical pressures and resource nationalism are pushing companies and governments to de-risk reliance on dominant suppliers for materials. In the UK, US and Europe, initiatives aim to strengthen domestic mining, processing and recycling capacity for key materials. Companies engaging in near-shoring and supply chain diversification will benefit in 2026 from this shift. Furthermore, companies engaging in sustainable practices and recycling of materials may be positioned to outperform as ESG continues to influence capital allocation of customers. Construction Materials Demand – Investment in residential, commercial and infrastructural construction projects are expected to continue to grow and in many regions demand for cement, aggregates, steel and other building materials will grow. This trend is supported by urbanisation, infrastructure projects, renovation cycles and increased government stimulus across Europe especially to support housing, infrastructure renovations, and grid modernisations. *Communications & Media* AI-Enabled Content & Advertising Transformation – AI continues to redefine how media is produced, distributed and monetised. In 2026, AI-driven creative workflows, personalised advertising, and automated campaign optimisation are major sources of growth across the sector. This includes streaming platforms using AI to scale content creation, ad tech firms leveraging AI for hyper-targeted and interactive campaigns, and media companies investing in AI tools that deepen audience targeting and drive revenue per impression, while creative output becomes more efficient and scalable through generative technologies. Next-Gen Connectivity & Network Evolution – Telecommunications infrastructure is shifting beyond traditional connectivity and towards AI-optimised networks, edge computing, satellite connectivity and modular software-defined architecture. Companies are progressing 5G standalone deployments and exploring network technologies that support rising uplink traffic from AI-centric applications. There is an opportunity for the monetisation of edge compute and IoT ecosystems that lean on advanced connectivity. M&A, Consolidation & Market Structure Realignment – A broader theme is the M&A and consolidation in both media and telecoms that is expected to accelerate as firms seek to scale to compete in a fragmented, landscape. This includes strategic roll-ups of content studios, gaming, and telecom assets to better serve platforms and advertisers. *Consumer Staples* Inflation-Resistant Consumption – Food, Beverages, Household Products, and Personal Care are typically defensive in nature, meaning that demand remains stable regardless of economic cycles. In 2026, consumer budgets are tight and inflationary pressures remain present amid widespread cost of living crisis. In many regions, customers will continue to make value-oriented and essential products a core focus. Retailers and staples producers with strong cost-control and high pricing power will be better able to sustain margins. Value options remain attractive. Health, Care & Wellness - Consumers increasingly seek products perceived as healthier, cleaner, or sustainably sourced. Shifting preferences among Gen Z and Millennials towards health and transparency supports long-term growth. Products with functional benefits can command pricing premia and brand loyalty. Innovation will continue to be a theme in the wellness area and could be a driver of outperformance. *Consumer Discretionary* Experience-Driven & Premium Consumption – An emerging theme since Covid, consumers are increasingly allocating discretionary funds towards experiences and premium, personalised offerings rather than specialised luxury goods. This represents a functional shift in lifestyle preferences, rebounding travel, leisure, dining, and entertainment. Customers are willing to pay a premium for quality and customisation in immersive experiences. E-Commerce & Digital Consumer Platforms – Digital commerce continues to reshape how consumers discover, research and purchase discretionary goods. Traditional retail is merging into social media and entertainment to win over customers. Retailers who expand mobile-first social media and omnichannel experiences stand to benefit. TikTok and other social commerce allow for shoppable video content allowing direct-to-consumer brands to emerge. *This is not investment advise, invest at your own risk*
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