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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?

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.

Based on a 10-year investment time horizon and the impact of COVID-19, the overall results of the 2021 capital market return assumptions are mixed for approximately 50 asset classes around the world. This report guides investors in developing their long-term strategic asset allocations.

As the surge of interest in creating a more just and equal economic system gathers force and begins to translate into real action, so do its detractors. From an investment perspective, the source of tension tends to occur when it links gender and racial diversity to financial performance. But there’s more to the discussion when it comes to building a more inclusive world, including the value it holds for investors who want to use their portfolios to move equity of opportunity forward.

Municipal bond yields have finally begun to move higher. The surge is a natural and healthy development—reflective of an improving economic landscape but not a marked upshift in inflation. In this environment, see where muni investors can find opportunity and capitalize.

There’s a common sentiment that COVID-19 will have an impact on investment strategies and the types of investors that will be active over the next few years. While 2021 may turn into a feeding frenzy for private equity, longer-term investors can remain as selective as they’ve always been. Corporate acquirers, meanwhile, won’t simply buy market share because acquisition targets have lower valuations, but they will align their mergers and acquisitions (M&A) strategy on both the buy side and sell side with their long-term business plan.

Many are rethinking their asset allocations beyond traditional asset classes and are seeking new and creative ways to better diversify their investment portfolios, increase returns, and reduce risk. Turning to alternative investments—with a focus on private investment funds—see what you should know and consider when choosing to add them in the mix of your investment portfolios and asset allocation. There are pros and cons, and being well-informed is critical to making better investment decisions.

Haunted by double-digit inflation of the past, some fear the U.S. economy is poised for runaway inflation. Some above-trend inflation is to be expected as the economy begins to open up more broadly. It can be argued that a modest jump in inflation should be viewed as a positive sign, indicating the economy’s return to normal. Long-term price pressures leading to double-digit inflation are possible but not likely, given the slack that currently exists in the economy.

Anxieties brought on by periods of turmoil can cause individuals to forsake rational thinking and act impulsively, usually to their own detriment. This phenomenon often manifests itself in equity markets. Outside of the modicum of intangible psychological comfort, sales of risky assets motivated by fear and panic provide investors no value, and can ultimately have disastrous impacts on the long-term returns of an investment portfolio.