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While we believe the scale and scope of current market risks are not enough to topple the markets, we feel a correction of some magnitude is warranted given how a confluence of risk factors could adjust global growth expectations. As such, we are recommending a modestly more defensive posture despite seemingly attractive valuations.

An annual inventory of belongings in the home is vital as a safeguard, should loss occur. Yet many families ignore this need. Some inventory options include hiring a firm that specializes in this, going room by room with a movie camera, and keeping a photo log of items. Make sure fine art, jewelry and silver are scheduled on a personal property policy.

Whole life and universal life insurance have been hit especially hard by continued low interest rates. As a result, carriers are introducing products that increasingly shift the risk of future product performance to the consumer. Because of these risks, consumers must make the effort to understand what is behind the assumptions presented by insurers.

Indexed universal life insurance provides a crediting rate tied to the growth of an equity index. With the potential for an enhanced yield and a guaranteed minimum crediting rate, indexed universal life may be an attractive life insurance option, particularly in the current low interest rate environment.

The FTC is seeking input on this report, which proposes safeguards for data gathered online and offline from consumers. The three main areas addressed are privacy by design in all business practices, simplified privacy choice for consumers and greater transparency related to company data policies.

Directors and officers at private companies have reason to be concerned about potential U.S. securities exposures, leading savvy private firms to adjust their internal compliance and governance structures to more closely resemble those of their public counterparts. They also are taking a closer look at their D&O liability insurance programs.

The holidays are a time for relaxing with family and friends. Unfortunately, criminals use this time to shift into high gear. Crime statistics from October indicate this year will be no exception to the historical trend, but you can take steps to help avoid becoming a victim of burglary or theft.

A family office is one way for wealthy entrepreneurs and corporate executives to be sure they get the help they need to mitigate the significant, and not always obvious, risks facing their families, particularly as they make the transition from a period of building family wealth to one of sustaining it.

Globalization has increased growth opportunities not only for companies but also for those in the business of kidnapping for ransom. The key is to prepare for dangers both at home and abroad and to assess readiness for a complex resolution process if a kidnapping should occur.

This paper highlights the concentration risk embedded in traditional portfolios, describes a simple risk parity strategy and demonstrates its out-performance over nearly four decades, and then delves into the more advanced portfolio construction and risk management techniques used to implement risk parity portfolios.