Global financials: Performance, positioning and outlook
Tom Dorner
Fund Manager
George Barrow
Fund Manager
Ahead of the Annual General Meeting of the Polar Capital Global Financials Trust on 26 March, co-managers Tom Dorner and George Barrow give an update on the Trust’s performance and positioning over the past year.
They discuss the Trust’s long-term track record and active allocation across the breadth of the global financials sector including European banks, US lenders benefiting from regulatory change, life insurers in Asia and select emerging market opportunities.
They also address the impact of AI on the sector, arguing that efficiency gains are likely to outweigh disruption risks and explain why, with improving returns on equity and valuations still attractive, financials continue to offer compelling diversification and long-term return potential.
Tom joined Polar Capital as a Fund Manager in the Financials team in December 2023. He is a co-manager on the Polar Capital Global Financials Trust, with Nick Brind and George Barrow.
He joined from Aberdeen where he was a Senior Investment Director in the Developed Markets team and managed the Aberdeen Europe ex UK Income Equity Fund. He was responsible for analytical coverage of European financials and managed a number of other European investment funds during his nine years there. Prior to this, he was an analyst specialising in the European Insurance sector at Citi and Lehman Brothers in London.
George Barrow
George joined Polar Capital in September 2010 as an analyst on the Financials Team. He is a co-manager on the Polar Capital Global Financials Trust, with Nick Brind and Tom Dorner.
He has over 10 years’ experience analysing Europe, Asia and emerging markets. Prior to joining Polar Capital, he was an analyst at HIM Capital from 2008 where he completed his IMC.
