August 22, 2019 Combining Big Data and a Human Touch for Equity Insights by Nelson Yu, Christopher Hogbin Figuring out how to use big data is the next frontier for the asset-management industry. Equity investors must have the right culture—and ask the right questions—to successfully integrate data science into research and investment processes. Equities Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
August 14, 2019 Why Today’s Inverted Yield Curve Isn’t Necessarily a Recession Warning by Erin Bigley, Chris Marx The most closely watched part of the US yield curve inverted this week for this first time since 2007, suggesting that a recession may be around the corner. We’re not convinced that’s true. Active & Passive , Equities, Fixed Income, Trade Wars, Volatility Likes 1 SHARE Bookmarks
August 14, 2019 Don’t Fear Illiquidity (Embrace It!) by Alexander Chaloff Illiquid alternatives are investments that are not easily traded or exchanged and where investors do not have access to their capital for years. In fact, some alternatives hold investors’ capital for as long as a decade. That’s one of the reasons some investors shy away from them. The long lock-up worries investors, especially when the markets turn down. But is that fear justified? In a word: No. Illiquidity should not be feared—for three reasons. Alternatives, Asset Allocation Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
August 07, 2019 China’s Currency Weakness: Not as Bad as it Seems—Yet by Mo Ji China’s currency depreciated this week, with the exchange rate rising to more than 7.0 renminbi per US dollar, unnerving investors and markets worldwide. Here’s the good news: we don’t think the renminbi will continue to weaken at the same pace. Currency, Economics, Trade Wars Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
August 05, 2019 Is a New Front About to Open in the US-China Trade War? by Eric Winograd Financial markets are focused on the ongoing trade war between the US and China—which goods and services are in play and what measures are being taken or threatened in each case. But the trade conflict could spill over into currency markets—and that’s a risk that bears watching. Currency, Economics, Trade Wars Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
July 31, 2019 Midyear Municipal Outlook: Stay Flexible Late in the Cycle by Daryl Clements Municipal bonds have had a good run since the beginning of the year, but there’s still room for additional positive performance in 2019. That’s particularly true for investors who choose active strategies with the flexibility to move money around the bond market as conditions evolve. Fixed Income, Later in the Cycle, Municipals Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
July 31, 2019 US Corporate Cash Is Down—Will Stocks Follow? by Sharat Kotikalpudi, Caglasu Altunkopru The recent decline in US corporate cash hasn’t raised a lot of eyebrows, but it has caused one of our equity-quality indicators to flash a warning. Since equity quality is one of the signals with a strong track record of predicting market sell-offs, should investors be worried? Capital Markets Outlook, Equities, Multi-Asset Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
July 30, 2019 Rising Risk of No-Deal Brexit by Darren Williams With the pound sliding to two-year lows, currency markets are signalling a higher probability of a no-deal Brexit. But the fallout from no deal would hurt the rest of Europe, too, and add to downward pressure on euro-area bond yields. Brexit, Economics Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
July 25, 2019 Will Easy Monetary Policy Keep the Global Economy Afloat? by Darren Williams Global markets have taken heart from a truce in the trade war and signs of yet more monetary-policy stimulus. Easy money may well give a short-term lift to asset prices, but longer-term prospects look more challenging, especially for Europe. Economics Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
July 23, 2019 Will Your Estate Be Taxable in the Future? by Robert Dietz Will your estate be taxable in the future? Unfortunately, the answer is not straightforward. Wealth Planning Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
July 15, 2019 Mission First, People Always by Clare Golla While nonprofit leaders are working to secure long-term organizational financial stability, and in some cases, even providing financial literacy programs to the community, many employees who tirelessly serve their organizations’ respective missions are falling behind on securing their own long-term financial well-being. Endowments & Foundations, Wealth Planning Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
July 15, 2019 Our Most Interesting Chart Right Now: Bull Run Not (Yet) Strongest or Longest by Matthew D. Palazzolo The US stock market continues to hit new highs this month, buoyed by optimism that the Fed will resume monetary policy accommodation—by lowering interest rates—which should further support the economy and corporate profitability. Despite this, investors are still fixated on the duration of the current bull market—now over 10 years. The implication of these concerns is that the rally’s duration is reason enough to become more cautious. We disagree. Wealth Planning Likes 1 SHARE Bookmarks
July 11, 2019 The ESG Edge to Concentrated Equity Investing by Mark Phelps, James T. Tierney, Jr., Ton Wijsman There are many ways to apply responsible investing principles to portfolios. But some investing approaches may be more conducive to creating a portfolio with strong environmental, social and governance (ESG) qualities than others. Concentrated equities are a case in point. Equities, Responsible Investing/ESG Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks