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Behavioral Finance
The Bid: Can money make you happier?
It’s a timeless question that’s puzzled people from Cicero in Ancient Rome to rappers like Kendrick Lamar today: Can money really make you happier?
Alternative Investments
Spring training for alternatives investors
A primary goal of spring training is getting the players back to basics by focusing on the fundamentals of the game. By doing so, the players ensure they are ready to go when the season begins. In honor of spring training, I’d like to take investors back to the basics and fundamentals of alternative investments (or alts).
Market Outlooks
Market Week in Review: February's U.S. jobs report: Cause for concern?
This piece is approved to use with clients.
On the latest edition of Market Week in Review, filmed on International Women’s Day, Senior Quantitative Investment Strategy Analyst Dr. Kara Ng and Sophie Antal Gilbert, head of AIS business solutions, discussed the recent downward movements in U.S. equity markets. They also chatted about February’s U.S. employment report and key takeaways from the European Central Bank (ECB)’s latest policy meeting.
Market Outlooks
Equity and fixed income return volatility
This piece is approved to use with clients.
People need no help picturing equity return volatility. Anyone invested in the equity market in the middle 2000s still likely feels the scars from the subprime mortgage crisis. Prior to that, there was the dot com burst of the early 2000s.
Business Development
Outsourcing may not reduce stress, but you may get more done!
A look at outsourcing through the lens of FlexShares Advisor Wellness study.
Market Outlooks
February Benchmark Review: Risk-on Rally Continues
After a strong rebound to start off 2019, stock market momentum continued in February.
Investing Ideas
Streaming Income - EM Debt: A Brightening Picture?
This piece is approved to use with clients.
After a rocky 2018, the picture may be brightening for emerging markets debt. From rising rates to trade wars, some of last year’s headwinds look to be receding, at least for now. Barings’ Ricardo Adroguè and Omotunde Lawal highlight opportunities they’re seeing from Mexico and Brazil to more challenged geographies like Turkey and Argentina—and provide insight into how they’re thinking about political hotspots like Venezuela.
Fixed Income Insights
Tax Reform Impacts Call Into Question Coastal Muni Values
Over a year has passed since the implementation of federal tax reform and high tax states are just beginning to feel the implications. As tax returns are beginning to be filed, residents in the high tax coastal jurisdictions may face some unpleasant surprises, resulting in a realization that the municipal bond tax-exemption is still an efficient way to shield taxable income.
Fixed Income Insights
High Yield: Five Takeaways for the Months Ahead
This piece is approved to use with clients.
From trade wars and Brexit to central bank posturing and recessions, there is no shortage of risks facing today’s markets. As we consider high yield in the context of this turbulent environment, there are five takeaways we think are worth considering in the months ahead.
Portfolio Construction Insights
Risk Speedometer: Easing off the brake
In January, the 1-month risk speedometer continued to remain below its 5-year average, recording a score of –0.61 and landing slightly above the 25th percentile of rankings. Similarly, based on the 3- and 12-month speedometers, the appetite for risk remained low.