Resource Search

One question that is often asked when working with family offices is “What are families like mine doing”? The interest in the answers is even greater during periods of crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of the world’s best investors and wealth stewards share their thoughts and insights into the unique challenges facing family offices, including investment management and opportunities, tax and estate planning, responsible investing and philanthropy, and governance and operations.

As the COVID-19 crisis has unfolded, our global health, economic, and market systems have been severely tested in a very short span of time. Even as we find ourselves in the midst of the implications, many thoughts are already geared toward what happens next … after the worst of this season’s coronavirus spread is under control. This report makes observations on the current situation and takes a look at what the possibilities of a “new normal” might look like, including summaries of key events and market volatility update.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had swift and severe effects on the U.S. by devastating the stock market and halting the broader economy. However, given the indicators of instability that had previously existed, an optimist may argue that the virus simply expedited a previously foreseen economic downturn and a recession-induced bear market. Undoubtedly this is an event-driven downturn that has a few wildcards in uncharted territory. The resiliency of the U.S. economy and efficiencies of the global economy will be challenged.

Although the population and life expectancies of U.S. retirees are increasing, portfolio yields remain at historically low levels. As defined benefit income becomes less commonly available, the need for informed retirement portfolio spending strategies is more critical. Because every investor's financial situation is unique, there is no one-size-fits-all solution.

In the same way that spot prices are useful to farmers for planning, they can be just as useful for investors. Many index providers recognize this and publish asset-class-wide measurements of aggregate spot prices called spot indexes. However, things can get complicated if you don’t understand their subtleties.

In a time of volatility and unstable markets, investing in sustainable infrastructure can help stabilize an investment portfolio. Further, sustainable infrastructure is likely to be more shielded than many other sectors from emerging concerns stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, such as consumer credit risk and business interruptions affecting non-essential industries. If properly structured, another stable source of investing can be found in Opportunity Zone investing.

The impact of COVID-19 on the economy has raised questions for investors about the current state of the private investment landscape. In this webinar, the Cambridge Associates team addresses the possible implications for private investment portfolios as they discuss their experiences and observations from prior crises to the key element of staying calm through the volatility to see the investment opportunities ahead. Times like these can also add value to a private investment program. Be prepared to play offense.

The coronavirus pandemic has upended markets, the economy, and people’s livelihoods. Few things feel like they’re under your control. When it comes to investing, what should investors and their advisors do? While it may be strange to contemplate why the pandemic could also reshape taxes, the choices you make around investment taxes could have significant implications for years to come.

Impact investing, which seeks to generate social and/or environmental benefits while delivering a financial return, is expanding as a promising tool for both investors and philanthropists. This guide is part of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors’ Philanthropy Roadmap series and acts as an introduction to impact investing.