In an uncertain market where each unfolding economic disruption is met with increasingly emboldened central bank intervention, economists are predicting accelerating declines in the value of all fiat currencies, including—and perhaps especially—in the U.S. dollar. Is gold the only way out for central banks looking to hedge their balance sheet? What about the individual investment portfolio? Where do the big banks think gold and silver are going in 2021?
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Against the backdrop of the pandemic, this roundtable discussion was centered around faith-based institutions that seek to align their investments with the belief systems that guide their organizations while also being held accountable by their philanthropic donors. The diversity of the six participants—ranging in size and scale, complexity, geography, and faith—led to a robust discussion yielding multiple perspectives on the imminent challenges of COVID-19, faith-based initiatives, and three key takeaways on navigating the new landscape.
Even prior to COVID-19, China’s economy had been growing at a faster pace than the rest of the world. In 2020, Chinese equities outperformed most global equity markets, particularly emerging markets. China’s domestic (A-share) equity market remains relatively untapped by foreign investors. With U.S Large Cap equities dominating for the last decade, China’s domestic equities may present opportunities going forward.
The first half of 2023 is a key test of the global art market’s resilience in the face of geopolitical headwinds and current art market challenges stemming from economic woes from the U.K. to China, the debate over the preponderance of restituted works, and guarantees at auction coming into question. Despite the challenges, the market outlook points to continued strength as art rises as a strategic asset class, buyers place a premium on narrative in and around the art they collect, and the spending on art-based NFTs remain stable among high-net-worth collectors.
Private equity faces a crossroads. Looking at a challenging economy, the industry plans to turn its attention inward to current portfolio companies. From this 2023 BDO Private Capital Survey Report, learn where the private equity industry plans to invest capital and create value; how larger and smaller funds are deploying capital differently; how portfolio companies are experiencing staffing shortages and leadership skill gaps; how organic value creation is taking center stage; and how fund managers are changing their perspectives on viable exit paths.
While there are predictions of a recession amid a looming economic downturn, there are opportunities for investors to acquire distressed assets as part of their direct investing or mergers and acquisitions plan. In this 10-minute interview, attorney Tom Scannell highlights some of the issues potential buyers may face as they look at financially-distressed target companies, as well as the available legal tools and structures to facilitate an acquisition while decreasing risk. Tom also shares insights on other key considerations, including the importance of conducting due diligence.
Artificial Intelligence (AI), which is being considered “The Fourth Industrial Revolution,” is the latest innovation and technology disruption fueling growth and reshaping societies alike. While there are investment opportunities where big winners are reaping the benefits of AI, the future of AI remains uncertain. In this early stage of AI advancement, it is important to understand the inherent risks of concentrating portfolios in themes and trends—including AI—that are likely to evolve and shift over time.
President Joe Biden’s executive order targeting U.S. investments in certain industries in China has raised questions about its impact on global markets and investment portfolios. In examining its potential effects, NEPC’s Senior Investment Director, Jennifer Appel, shares her insights on what the executive order means for investors. She also provides perspectives on Chinese private markets, China’s debt levels, the high unemployment rate and uncertain economy, and the long-term views on investing in China.
With below-average returns expected over the next five years, it’s clear that getting asset allocation right will be essential to delivering on the key challenges of our time: achieving purchasing power parity and avoiding any permanent capital impairment. By using a forward-looking, historically-aware framework for developing long-term return forecasts across asset classes, there are key considerations and underlying themes for family office and long-duration investors to keep in mind to help tackle their strategic and tactical portfolio construction decisions.
The traditional 60/40 portfolio—a mix of 60% stocks and 40% bonds—is suffering through one of its worst periods in history. Although the demise of the 60/40 portfolio has been predicted before, investors may now face a new regime of high inflation and rising correlations between equities and fixed incomes. For investors in hard-hit 60/40 portfolios, there is an alternative—the 80/20/40 portfolio with an option overlay—that may provide diversification without triggering adverse tax consequences, and may exhibit a better risk-reward profile, with lower volatility.