Resource Search

This report analyses, from an investment perspective, the features of ecological /organic agriculture that make it an attractive option for those considering investment in agriculture/farmland and particularly for those investors with an SRI/ESG understanding.

Credit Suisse researchers compare styles that have worked since the Feb. 5 market low with those that have worked up to the mid-January peak. Low P/E and low P/B have been two of the few styles to outperform in both periods. Researchers screen for outperform-rated stocks that trade on a P/E and P/B discount to their sector and the market and have earnings revisions better than their sector and the market.

Coller Capital's annual survey tracks private equity trends in emerging markets and investors' plans related to those markets. Among this year's findings: Investors expect their new commitment to emerging market private equity to accelerate over the next two years, and most of these investors expect this sector to outperform private equity as a whole.

Hammond Associates puts empirical studies of asset allocation in perspective, starting with the 1988 study by Brinson, Hood and Beebower and working through subsequent research efforts. The author believes these often quoted and sometimes misinterpreted studies are limited in scope and the types of assets they explore and, thus, do not provide useful guidance for all asset allocation situations.

To be able to build a portfolio of managers that meets their objectives, investors must have a clear understanding of their rationale for integrating environmental, social and corporate governance, or ESG, factors in the in the investment decision-making process, according to a new white paper from Cambridge Associates.

Babson Capital explores distressed debt investing, describing the bankruptcy process, the role of debtor-in-possession facilities and the importance of valuation in understanding the investment opportunity. The report also outlines three distressed debt investment strategies based on the level of involvement: discount value, activist and control. While written for a U.S. audience, this report contains information relevant to investors globally.

If the market continues to transition to a more fundamentals-driven recovery, investment managers – including Shariah managers - with a track record of strong security selection capabilities may be in a better position than other managers to navigate such an environment, according to SEI Investments. Managers who follow strong due diligence processes and stringent risk management practices may be better positioned to make more consistent and less risky returns for their investors.

President's Letter: February 2010 Bernardi Securities I am convinced more than ever that the "perfect" bond market hedge does not exist. Many, many investors lost money over the last 18 months on "hedged" bond investments and swaps. Some would have seen their "hedged" investments wiped out entirely had not the government rescued certain financial institutions.

This paper from AQR Capital Management helps demystify managed futures, one of the few investments that performed well in 2008. The authors describe how to construct a simple version of this strategy, illustrate how this simple version performs in various market environments, and show how managed futures can be used to enhance the risk-return profiles of traditional portfolios.

The recent economic crisis resulted not only in a significant loss of wealth, but also in a loss of trust. This article addresses the psychology of that loss of trust and presents a constructive response to it for family offices and their clients: Create standards for investing that can help avoid a re-occurrence of recent events.