A confluence of factors is conspiring to lay the groundwork for conditions increasingly threatening an end to the current business cycle. In this issue of The Real Economy, we present a number of easy-to-use metrics and data visualizations for middle market businesses to formulate judgments related to economic outlook risks. These include an array of financial, consumer and labor market indicators that, in some cases, can warn of a possible economic downturn.
Investment Management
Resource Search
With over 500 million people and the fourth largest collective economic market in the world, the Mexican, Latin American, and South American markets hold great opportunity for investment and growth for multinationals. However, because of various incidences of political upheaval and economic changes, it’s important for C-Suite executives to understand the unique changes in each country prior to expansion.
The Cryptocurrency Series, Parts 1-4
Publish Date
Cryptocurrency is experiencing a surge in interest from mainstream investors and corporations worldwide. In this cryptocurrency series, we focus on the evolution of bitcoin moving from fad to mainstream; the role of virtual currencies in the global markets and the impact on the regulatory environment; the crime in the world of virtual currency, including theft from the exchanges and cloud-based host wallets; and unlocking the mysteries of dark pools, whereby investors (typically large financial institutions and high-net-worth individuals) can make trades anonymously.
Ranking of Cannabis State-By-State Regulations
Publish Date
This guide provides a holistic review of the current cannabis laws in every state and the District of Columbia, from most favorable to cannabis businesses to most restrictive. In addition, you can find each state in alphabetical order. Jurisdictions are ranked on eight different factors, including business opportunities and support for ongoing cannabis legalization measures. California leads the pack, but you might be surprised by which states make the top—and bottom—of the list.
More than 70 business owners, investors, potential cultivators, and dispensaries attended a half-day seminar on legal considerations for cannabis companies. While there, they covered a number of issues from the conflict between state and federal law, what people need to know about forming companies and investing in the cannabis industry, real estate considerations, branding your bud, patent protection, and insurance for participants in the cannabis industry. To review and learn more about the topics discussed, view and listen to the videos of the seminar.
Crypto-Assets and Blockchain Technology
Publish Date
Ten years after the introduction of bitcoin and its underlying blockchain technology, the two headline innovations have sparked both inspiration and controversy. Although challenges must be overcome before these emergent technologies can be fully realized, companies in nearly every industry are exploring blockchain technology applications. Crypto-assets have the potential to transform the way companies build and exchange value.
Hedge funds have disappointed investors for almost a decade; even before accounting for fees and taxes, results have trailed a traditional 60 equity/40 bond balanced portfolio over the 10-year period ending in December 2018. A number of large institutions announced their intentions to move away from hedge funds, fed up with subpar results and high fees.
Businesses have arguably never faced such a breadth of challenges as they do today. Drawing on data and insight from Fitch Solutions, a leading source of independent political, macroeconomic, financial, and industry risk analysis, our Political Risk Map 2019 presents a global view of the issues facing multinational organizations and investors. This map rates countries on the basis of political and economic stability, giving insight into where risks may be most likely to emerge and issues to be aware of in each country.
Wireless Networks: 5G & What Happens Next
Publish Date
The 5G network puts us at the precipice of another change in technology with the potential to unlock brand new applications, many of which are still nestled deep in entrepreneurial minds. As the introduction of 5G networks looms over the horizon and continues its evolution of innovation, so do new technological possibilities, challenges, and opportunities. The 5G rollout will require a national overhaul in wireless infrastructure, creating opportunities for investment.
This session focused on family office investors invested in private equity (PE) funds and/or direct investments and discussed where we are in the PE cycle. Beginning with a review of current data and trends in the PE markets, we walked through the private investment management factors and decisions which, based on economic and PE industry history, are likely to limit downside risk and drive performance over the coming years in private directs and funds.