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Investing Ideas
A Potential Turning Point in the Battle Against COVID-19
This piece is approved to use with clients.
Delivering better-than-expected trial data, a vaccine candidate from Pfizer and BioNTech could mark the beginning of the end of the pandemic and boost confidence in an economic recovery, now underway.
Investing Ideas
Evaluating Stocks as Growth Continues to Grow
This piece is approved to use with clients.
Portfolio Manager Doug Rao discusses the phenomenon of concentrated market leadership and what that means for long-term investors.
Key Takeaways
- When market returns are driven by a handful of stocks, active investors face difficult decisions, especially when underweighting or not owning these stocks may significantly impact portfolio performance.
- The recent phenomenon of large-cap tech stocks driving a significant portion of stock market gains may be justified by the fact that these companies are strongly tied to themes related to digital disruption.
- Investors may benefit from focusing on competitively advantaged companies positioned to profit from these themes, which have only accelerated amid the COVID-19 pandemic and are likely to persist over the coming months and years.
Investing Ideas
Sustainable Design in Consumer Products
This piece is approved to use with clients.
An in-depth look at the role of sustainability in consumer products.
Key Takeaways:
- The apparel sector is well known for its detrimental effects on the environment. However, as consumers become more aware of their own environmental footprints, there has been a surge in demand for sustainable goods.
- A circular economy is based on the principles of designing out waste and pollution, keeping products and materials in use, and regenerating natural systems.
- Companies including Nike, Adidas and DS Smith have incorporated a circular approach to the design and production of their goods, creating durable and long-lasting products with a reduced environmental footprint.
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.
Manager & Investment Selection
The six key components for choosing an index asset manager
Are all index asset managers the same? Learn what separates the best managers from the rest of the industry.