Investment Update Q4 2026

A fresh look at bonds, alternatives and AI advice

The final few months of the year are here. And, as ever, markets and technology haven’t been standing still.

In our latest quarterly investment update, we pause to look at two themes shaping portfolios and financial plans. First, higher yields have made bonds worth talking about again. Second, more people are turning to AI with questions about their money.

Inside this update

• A clear view of the markets. The 7IM Investment Team shares what it’s watching, why it matters and how this thinking feeds into portfolios.
• Why bonds deserve another look. Higher yields have changed the balance between risk and potential reward. We look at the opportunities, the risks and the role alternatives can play.
• What AI gets right and wrong. We put five free AI tools to the test with the same UK financial planning questions. See where they helped, where they fell short and why human judgment still counts.

Read on for our investment expert’s POV, some practical insight and a clearer sense of what could lie ahead.

The value of investments can go down as well as up, and you may get back less than you invested. This is for information only and isn’t personal investment advice.