September 11, 2019 Income Investing When (Trade) Tensions Run High by Monika Carlson Trade tensions—and the volatility they bring—are forcing investors to think about new ways to generate low-volatility income. A mortgage income strategy that balances high-quality securities with historically high-returning ones can help Fixed Income, Later in the Cycle, Trade Wars, Volatility Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
September 11, 2019 Selecting Insurers for Lifetime Income: Help Is on the Way by Jennifer DeLong, Andrew Stumacher When it comes to implementing a secure lifetime income solution for a defined contribution (DC) plan, sponsors may balk at the task of evaluating insurers and different types of retirement income options. But fiduciary help is already available, with additional services and innovations on the way. Target-Date Solutions Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
September 10, 2019 Washington Helps Retirement Plan Quest for Secure Income by Jennifer DeLong, Andrew Stumacher Washington legislators have crafted some substantive support for defined contribution (DC) plans to offer secure income solutions for participants. The Secure Act, currently under Senate review, may be a key component in clearing away some hurdles that have previously made DC plan sponsors hesitant to incorporate lifetime income solutions. Target-Date Solutions Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
September 04, 2019 Does Your Target-Date Glide Path Suit Your Workforce? by Jennifer DeLong, Andrew Stumacher Plan sponsors evaluating packaged and custom target-date solutions should take a close look at the demographics of their plan participants and how they stack up against those of a “typical” plan. It’s critical information when making a glide-path decision. Multi-Asset, Target-Date Solutions Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
September 04, 2019 Three Ways to Manage Fixed-Income Liquidity Risk by Markus Peters, Flavio Carpenzano Liquidity risk grabbed headlines this summer on the heels of several high-profile fund implosions. The hunt is now on to find ways to manage market liquidity risk and to protect portfolios against liquidity crunches. We’ve pinpointed three essential practices. Fixed Income, Volatility Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
September 03, 2019 Why EM Corporate Debt Deserves a Place in Your Portfolio by Shamaila Khan, Elizabeth Bakarich Investors recognize that emerging markets are at the core of the global economy and belong in a fixed-income allocation. Still, many investors are underexposed to emerging-market corporate bonds. We think that’s a mistake. Emerging Markets, Fixed Income Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
August 29, 2019 Investors Can Hold US Companies Accountable to Roundtable Pledges by Dan Roarty, Shawn Keegan Leading US CEOs recently pledged to redefine the role of the corporation in society. But will they make good on their promises? Responsible investors need a clear way to evaluate whether a company is really making progress by doing good for both society and investors. Equities, Fixed Income, Responsible Investing/ESG Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
August 22, 2019 The Investor’s Survival Guide to a Long Life by Kent Hargis, Sammy Suzuki, Aditya Monappa Rejoice—people around the world are living longer! But pause the festivities—that means they need more retirement money. To ensure they don’t run out of cash, savers need to adjust their investment strategies as their needs change, both before and after retiring. Asset Allocation, Equities, Multi-Asset, Volatility Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
August 21, 2019 Are Distressed Small Banks Putting China’s Banking System at Risk? by Hua Cheng It’s been 20 years since a Chinese bank failed. But recent bailouts of three regional lenders have raised concerns about systemic problems in China’s financial sector. While risks have grown for China’s smaller banks, we believe that the Chinese banking system remains robust. Economics, Emerging Markets, Fixed Income 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 Are European Energy Companies Sustainable Investments? by Jeremy Taylor Oil and gas producers are often seen as vulnerable to global efforts aimed at curbing climate change. But some European energy groups might become part of the solution to climate change rather than part of the problem. Equities, Responsible Investing/ESG Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
August 13, 2019 Does Sustainable Investing Constrain a Portfolio? by Dan Roarty Sustainable investing is often misunderstood. Many investors think a sustainable agenda limits a portfolio to a narrow piece of the market. In fact, plenty of stocks can help investors create social benefits while generating strong returns—if you know how to find them. Active & Passive , Responsible Investing/ESG 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 30, 2019 Midyear Bond Outlook: Making Sense of Conflicting Signals by Douglas J. Peebles The first half of 2019 was kind to financial markets. Will the good times keep on rolling? In our view, that will depend on whether loosening monetary policy is still an effective way to boost growth. Fixed Income, Later in the Cycle, Trade Wars Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks