This paper examines several factors impacting investors' commodities exposure and the current sentiment on downside risks.
This paper identifies four channels through which the shock of a Greek default could spread across the Eurozone and the global economy.
Market turmoil has brought the topic of Minimum Variance Portfolios (MVP) to the forefront. But examined within a broad U.S. universe alongside the closely related Low Volatility Portfolio (LVP) counterpart are investors who employ an MVP strategy appropriately compensated for the relative risk they assume?
The national economy is showing signs of life, state and local tax receipts are on the rise, local budgets are returning to balance. Nevertheless, Moody’s and S&P are downgrading more tax-supported credits than they are upgrading. On the surface such rating actions may seem incongruous with the economic conditions. But, in fact, they are all too predictable for those familiar with the municipal market. Ratings assigned by the major public ratings companies are a backward-looking indicator of an issuer’s credit worthiness.
With interest rates at historically low levels, fixed income investors have become increasingly concerned about rising rates and how their portfolios might be affected. However, rising rates do not necessarily mean negative total returns for fixed-income investments. This paper examines the factors that can affect interest rates, as well as how fixed-income investments can respond as rates rise.
Of course, we’ve all heard the term “globalization.” It’s quickly become one of the most fashionable buzzwords of contemporary political and economic debates. Just as trade has been increasing and manufacturing has moved abroad, the capital markets have been “globalizing.” By expanding your fixed income investment horizon to include the world, you can substantially enhance your opportunity set.
This paper explores the concept of Volatility harvesting (using Volatility as an asset within your portfolio), or the extra growth generated from systematically diversifying and rebalancing.
Volatile financial markets can create potential problems for investors and their advisors. While many expenses are generally fixed, assets designated to fund expenses may increase or decrease in value. In a worst case scenario, managers may have to liquidate assets at potentially “distressed” levels to meet these obligations. This paper reviews a few current strategies available to help Individuals deal with this ever present issue.
The fourth quarter 2012 issue of Global Foresight features a discussion of the recent QE3 (quantitative easing) announcement by Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and the related inflation and market implications, along with a discussion of the current geopolitical overlay.
Selecting the proper financial structure and advisory relationships for your family is a significant job. Managing Director Brad Fisher discusses the three stages of the selection process and the questions wealth owners should ask in this white paper.