Despite reduced return expectations in 2020, municipals should remain a valuable building block of an investor's portfolio due to their attractive tax-adjusted yields, diversification benefits, and improving credit characteristics. For investors in high tax brackets, municipals are a great place to get it.
The commodities market appears to be recovering, but will it continue to improve throughout 2020? Find out which economic factors will drive—or sink—the asset class.
Direct indexing has been called the ETF killer, ETF 2.0, and a catalyst that will bring an end to commingled investment vehicles. But to make proper use of all its benefits, the script must be flipped on the narrative of direct indexing to show not only the importance of customization but also that its value comes from understanding how and when to use it. There’s enormous potential for direct indexing to become a lot bigger than it is today. Find out whether it’s right for your portfolio.
Climate change occurs slowly over time, which may make it an easy risk factor for investors to ignore. Recent studies suggest that climate change will have a negative economic impact on long-term global GDP. Over the shorter term, investor concerns about global warming may be priced into their assessment of stocks and bonds. As with any long-term secular trend, climate change will likely result in both winners and losers.
Much of the trade conflict between the U.S. and China can be traced to China’s desire to be a technological power. It is difficult for China to do much more than play catch-up in established technology like semiconductors, where improvements are incremental. Still, emerging technologies such as AI, robotics, quantum computing, and next-gen IT infrastructure present greater opportunities for industry leadership. China is unlikely to cede its ambitions, suggesting there will be an altered landscape moving forward regardless of the trade war outcome.
The insurance marketplace conditions are changing throughout the U.S., particularly for those with homes and other property in catastrophe-prone locations. The results outlined in this study highlight factors to consider when devising an approach to protect family members, properties, and reputational concerns in the face of current and future threats.
As part of the investment review process, there is the identification of key areas of focus or themes that will drive investment returns over the immediate term. This quarterly update highlights market and economic considerations relevant in the context of enhancing risk-adjusted outcomes, beginning with evolving global growth dynamics.
Hackers and cybercriminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated with their attacks. With more intelligent and connected devices, as well as the importance of a person’s digital identity, cyber insurance is a vital component of an individual or a family’s coverage.
Open dialogue between parents and children and, specifically, the creation of a family contract can promote responsible use of digital devices. With the help of a discussion guide and a sample contract, families can learn to prepare a contract that works for them. The process of working together builds trust, incorporates multiple perspectives, and makes it more likely that younger family members will follow the terms of the agreement.
Although malware is predominantly delivered via email, the types of entry points continue to evolve, and many will not be caught by a family office firewall. So, it is crucial to build a first line of defense, and it starts with employee security awareness training, testing, and auditing. Mitigate the cybersecurity risks in the family office by deploying the top 10 internal controls.