Saturna Capital Chief Investment Officer Scott Klimo joined Steve Darling from Proactive to discuss the Saturna Global Equity ETF, the principles of Shariah-compliant investing, and how the rapid growth of artificial intelligence is reshaping valuations and opportunities across global markets.
Klimo explained that the actively managed ETF applies Islamic investment guidelines that exclude sectors such as conventional banking, insurance, gambling, tobacco, alcohol, and weapons. In addition to those sector screens, the strategy also emphasizes companies with low debt levels, a factor Klimo said can signal strong cash generation, disciplined capital allocation, and durable business models.
The conversation also focused on the impact of AI on technology investing. Klimo noted that major technology companies such as Alphabet, Amazon, and Microsoft are evolving from traditionally asset-light businesses into far more capital-intensive operators as they commit massive sums to AI infrastructure, data centers, and compute capacity.
Beyond the large-cap AI leaders, Klimo highlighted a broader group of companies benefiting from the AI buildout, including ASML, Taiwan Semiconductor, Samsung Electronics, and Japan’s Fujikura, all of which play important roles in chip manufacturing, semiconductor equipment, and data-center connectivity.
The discussion also touched on the pharmaceutical sector, where Klimo sees long-term value despite recent market weakness. He said healthcare companies can provide portfolio balance and defensive characteristics, even as investors continue to weigh regulatory uncertainty and shifting sentiment toward the sector.
Looking at the broader market backdrop, Klimo pointed to continued geopolitical uncertainty, inflation trends, and energy prices as important factors to monitor. At the same time, he said he remains generally constructive on the market outlook, supported by resilient corporate earnings and the long-term productivity gains expected from AI adoption.
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