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Fixed Income Insights
Beware the ides of March
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As the first quarter draws to a close, investors should be mindful of the seasonal weakness typically seen with municipal bonds (munis) at this time of year. This seasonality is due to a confluence of factors, including an uptick in supply (versus a lack of), fewer maturing bonds and lower coupon payments – and a potential pause in industry flows as a result of investors paying their tax bills in April.
Fixed Income Insights
BMO Market Charts: March 19, 2021
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At this timelast year, equity markets were in free-fall as the effects of the coronavirus rapidly developed. One year later, equities have recovered and are now above their 2020 pre-crisis peaks.
Fixed Income Insights
Why BBB munis are an A+ opportunity in our books
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Investment grade muni spreads tightened significantly since March, but still remain elevated in some areas versus historical averages.
Fixed Income Insights
February 2021 Fixed Income Market Update
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In our view, January may prove to be a microcosm of the new year. Optimism abounds for progress against the pandemic and a rapid economic recovery, but challenges remain on both fronts.
Sustainable Investing
Influencing for good: 20 years of engagement
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The way investors conduct engagement has transformed. From a niche approach largely confined to mission-orientated investors, engagement is now a mainstream investor activity. The success of the Climate Action 100+ initiative in bringing together investors, representing close to US$40 trillion in assets, shows how far we have come.
Sustainable Investing
ESG Viewpoint – COVID-19 and the pharmaceutical industry
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Public trust in the pharmaceutical industry has eroded. The pandemic provides drug-makers a chance to begin re-building their reputation – but only if they prioritise socially responsible practices.
Fixed Income Insights
January 2021 Fixed Income Market Update
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A new coronavirus strain first observed in the United Kingdom, which is believed to be significantly more contagious, has spread across borders and been observed in the U.S. in several states.
Sustainable Investing
Green bonds: Financing the transition to a new economy
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Green bonds are a type of fixed income instrument where the proceeds raised are used to finance clearly defined projects that have environmental benefits. Projects financed include renewable energy, water conservation, energy efficiency, green buildings, clean transport and sustainable land use.
Sustainable Investing
Performance with principles: How can ESG investing support financial returns?
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When ethical funds were in their infancy, a common assumption was that funds that incorporate ESG characteristics, and in particular those with a strict ethical screen applied, must necessarily involve a trade-off with performance.But over time, the debate about performance has turned on its head. Increasingly, investors recognize the potential financial materiality of issues such as corporate governance, labor management and environmental performance — and history is littered with examples of companies that have neglected these issues and paid the financial price.
Fixed Income Insights
December 2020 Fixed Income Market Update
News and Nuggets regarding the fixed income markets
Portfolio Construction Insights
[Presentation] How to Build Wealth with a Behavioral Approach to Portfolio Construction | Webinar 2
2020 has been an unprecedented and emotionally-charged ride—the most difficult for advisors in over a decade.