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Market Outlooks
Fixed Income Market Update
This piece is approved to use with clients.
U.S. economic data surprised to the upside in December with strong employment and growth results and the Fed remained on hold as expected. Progress on tariffs and U.K. election results lowered geopolitical noise for the time being. These developments led to continued improvement in risk sentiment.
Market Outlooks
Low volatility equities: Why now, why active?
This piece is approved to use with clients.
Against the backdrop of a continuing bull market in equities, investor uncertainty has increased with a number of key economic and geopolitical risks, resulting in rising market volatility.
Investors have logically sought to de-risk* portfolios, and given the low interest rate environment, they have rotated significant amounts of money into defensive equities, resulting in stretched valuations for certain pockets of these stocks. At the same time, equity upside remains attractive as accommodative policy and the potential for trade resolution between the U.S. and China could support future gains. As a result, investors now face three competing objectives: how to de-risk portfolios, without overpaying for defensive equities, while maintaining equity upside.
Market Outlooks
Foreign stocks aren't as foreign as you think
Have you ever done an inventory of the products that you use every day? I recently did this exercise and was shocked by the domicile of the parent companies.
Market Outlooks
Growth vs. Value in global developed markets
This piece is approved to use with clients.
Since the mid-1970s, value stocks have generally outperformed growth stocks in developed markets around the globe. The current cycle of growth’s outperformance, starting in 2007, has had both the longest duration and highest magnitude in history.
Market Outlooks
Global Corporate Debt
This piece is approved to use with clients.
US Dollar denominated corporate debt has the highest yield and makes up 66% of global issuance, underscoring its attractiveness in this low rate environment.
Fixed Income Insights
Did the Fed just go Minority Report?
We believe the Fed is taking a risk — one we hope works — in shifting from reactive to preemptive monetary policy. It was not that long ago that the Fed was more forthright about the uncertainty inherent in economic forecasting as Chairman Powell used the analogy of walking into a dark room and slowing down to avoid furniture as an analogy for the Fed’s situation. Today, they seem more certain that they know the future and aim to alter it.
Tax Management
Your words matter! Especially when it comes to TAXES.
Russell Investments has crossed an important milestone with our Tax-Managed Model Strategies. We now have a 15+ year track record to talk about. One thing is very apparent: taxes are hard and the differences between approaches vary wildly.
Market Outlooks
BMO International Insights - Crazy global environment merits cautious approach
The IMF believes the world has too much debt, trade wars are destabilizing and anti-growth, monetary policy has run its course and productivity growth remains comfortably below historic norms.
Behavioral Finance
B is for behavioral mistakes—Preventing them may be your greatest value
In this post, we’ll tackle the behavioral mistakes that investors typically make.
Business Development
Digital Technology: Friend or foe? Part 1
In short, chances are that your clients and prospects are online. But the question is: Are you? And more importantly, what does your online presence say about you?