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While the merits of investing in convertible securities have been exhibited over time, the market is particularly compelling today. Convertibles offer much better risk/reward characteristics than equities, with stronger appreciation over the intermediate and long term but at meaningfully lower levels of risk and volatility.

Deutsche Bank researchers address four questions in this study of responsible investments: How are these investments different from more conventional forms of investment? What products are available? Do sustainable investments offer lower returns? How will the market for sustainable investments evolve?

More than 90 percent of respondents to a survey on private equity mergers and acquisitions expect financial due diligence to directly influence the terms and conditions of M&A transactions during the next 12 months. This survey report from mergermarket and Houlihan Lokey considers the impact of increased due diligence and examines other factors that are likely to influence M&A deal flow.

The search for investments that are not highly correlated to search for options to more traditional alternatives, such as private equity. Many of these investments can be volatile and highly speculative. This white paper from Appellate Funding explores the funding of legal appeals as a low-risk, high-return alternative.

Private market investing offers financial opportunities but requires consistency and patience. CTC Consulting's guide to private market portfolio management explains the cash-flow characteristics of private market funds, discusses why maintaining a target allocation is an ongoing, long-term process, and demonstrates the importance of committing capital consistently over time to build a well-diversified portfolio.

Just released in the end of May 2010 by the CFA Institute, this is the first attempt by the CFA Institute to set forth thoughts on what should be included and comprises an investment policy statement. I had the opportunity to provide input when meeting with co-author Bob Dannhauser at the CFA Institute as part of the drafting process, and the final product is perhaps the best piece of its kind being distributed on a broad platform. --Charlie

Today's emphases on fiduciary responsibility, risk management and increased transparency require better due diligence when selecting managers. Especially in today's turbulent markets, advisors who spend more time and resources to do due diligence well can find themselves at a distinct competitive advantage. While these tips won't necessarily help you identify the next active management superstar, they can bolster your manager selection and due diligence program.

Most institutional investors plan to increase their allocations to alternative investments over the next three years, increasing their influence over the sector, while the funds' managers and administrators view regulation and governance as the industry's most important challenges during the same period. These are just two of the key findings of a worldwide survey by KPMG International.