This handbook attempts to strip away some of the mystery around farmland and outline the key aspects of it as an asset class, its management, the key considerations for investors and, perhaps most important of all, the vital questions any good farmland investment advisor must be able to answer satisfactorily.
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New research shows flexible managers, or those who can invest in any equity category, delivered higher returns than their benchmark and higher returns than the aggregated performance of style box managers, or those who invest only in a particular equity category. The median flexible manager outperformed the benchmark by 3.2% annualized and the median style box manager by 1.4% annualized.
Companies that are responsive to the changing economic, social and environmental landscape, brought about by trends related to climate change, will create opportunities (that will not come without challenges) to grow their businesses and, in turn, create wealth for their stakeholders.
In an era of globalization, corporations may continually find themselves exposed to potential abuses. Thoughtful investors, who recognize the social and business implications of a company's human rights policies, will have a better understanding of both the risks and opportunities to which a company may be exposed.
Direct investment in private companies can deliver returns far exceeding those of private equity and other asset classes while also providing attractive diversification and increased control. The potential for outsize returns, however, comes with increased risk, meaning investors must carefully assess the various financial, organizational and managerial risks involved in this type of investment.
Four basic hedging techniques – long/short, covered call, buy/write indexing and index put options – represent varying levels of risk but, used appropriately, may reduce portfolio volatility and smooth overall returns. Defensive hedging, techniques designed to protect against loss, may even be well-suited for cautious or conservative investors.
It is at the turning points, both market highs and lows, that investors can either increase or forfeit large portions of their portfolios. These are also the times when they can make the wrong decisions. But with the right frame of mind and a willingness to do what others won't, investors can take advantage of the opportunities created by volatile markets.
Structured notes essentially replicate two types of financial instruments: zero-coupon bond and option(s). As a result, in the creation of structured notes, such financial instruments, their costs and several other factors contribute to the overall pricing of the notes.
One of the newest types of funds specializes in replicating the beta of hedge funds, a traditionally non-correlated asset class. By seeking to replicate the beta of the broad universe of hedge funds, these funds can bring a level of non-correlated returns to any portfolio allocation.
Post-crisis core portfolios may benefit from some revisions to traditional asset allocation. Each potential component of the new core (hedged equity, global fixed income and risk-managed alternatives) includes an enhancement that may offer greater risk management better suited to today's environment.