Expert: Elisa Di Marco - 3 trends that will define the next decade
Feb 6, 2025
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Join Elisa Di Marco, Investment Director at Magellan Financial Group and an expert in megatrends, as she explores the transformative trends shaping the next decade. Discover rising healthcare spending and how it's revolutionizing investments in medical technology. Delve into the semiconductor revolution and its vital role in AI and electric vehicles, along with the ongoing US-China competition. Finally, learn about the impact of digital finance innovations and strategies for investing wisely in these dynamic industries.
Rising healthcare spending, driven by an aging population and medical innovations, presents substantial investment opportunities for long-term growth.
The semiconductor industry's projected growth and critical role in emerging technologies highlight significant investment potential for the coming decade.
Deep dives
Understanding Megatrends
Megatrends are long-term, significant shifts that change behaviors, lifestyles, or processes over extended periods, distinguishing them from shorter-lived trends. An example of a megatrend is the widespread adoption of smartphones, which fundamentally transformed how people communicate and access information. Unlike fleeting trends, which may be tied to fads or specific cycles, megatrends can persist for decades and typically exceed GDP growth rates. Recognizing these megatrends allows investors to identify meaningful opportunities that can endure through various economic cycles.
Rising Healthcare Spending
Healthcare spending is a major megatrend, currently accounting for approximately 17% of U.S. GDP and projected to grow as populations age and healthcare innovations continue. Factors driving this trend include advancements in medical technology, increased longevity, and rising obesity rates, which contribute to greater healthcare-related expenditures. As the population over 65 is expected to increase significantly by 2050, demand for healthcare services will likely surge, further pushing spending beyond GDP growth. Investment opportunities in this megatrend span treatment innovations and healthcare infrastructure, providing diverse avenues for investors.
The Semiconductor Revolution
The semiconductor industry represents a dynamic and evolving megatrend, currently valued at around $600 billion and anticipated to reach $1 trillion by 2030. Semiconductors are integral to modern technology, powering devices from smartphones to electric vehicles, making them essential in nearly every aspect of daily life. The importance of semiconductors has only heightened during recent supply chain disruptions, revealing their critical role in technological advancements and global economies. Companies like ASML and TSMC are positioned to capitalize on this growth, with their competitive advantages in manufacturing and innovation.
Digital Innovation in Finance
Digital innovation in the financial sector encompasses a broad range of developments, including the transition from cash transactions to digital payments and innovations like digital wallets. While the current global average for digitized consumer transactions is around 70%, significant opportunities remain, particularly in regions where cash transactions still dominate. The ongoing digitization of finance not only makes transactions more convenient but also fosters deeper connections between consumers and financial institutions. As competition intensifies, long-term winners will be those companies that provide unique solutions to consumer problems while maintaining the ability to adapt and innovate within this rapidly changing landscape.
Megatrends are the major movement, pattern or trend emerging that are likely to have a significant impact on our lives, the economy and the kinds of products consumers will wish to buy in the foreseeable future.
In today's episode we're joined by Elisa Di Marco of Magellan Financial Group to unpack 3 big megatrends shaping our world today (and how we can invest in them).
Tune in to hear us unpack the investment opportunities in:
Rising healthcare spending
Semiconductor demand
Digital innovation in finance
This episode has been sponsored by Magellan. Thank you to Magellan for helping keep all of our content free.
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