This financial markets monitor illustrates the state of the economy for the fourth quarter in 2014.
This commentary provides a scorecard analysis and a number of portfolio takeways for first quarter, 2015.
As Benjamin Franklin once stated, “If passion drives you, let reason hold the reins.” High net worth individuals often accumulate substantial assets in the form of art, jewelry, wine and as an element of equestrian actives and equine ownership. While the pursuit of these passions can become sound financial investments…they can also add considerable risk if not adequately managed, properly secured and appropriately protected.
In 2012, Pershing issued a wake-up call to the industry by publishing Women Are Not a ‘Niche’ Market, an advisor guide that called for greater attention to the needs of women investors. Since then, financial services companies have ratcheted up their marketing efforts to reach women, and many financial advisors have made a concerted effort to reach out to women, or improve how they serve the women clients they already have.
From an economic perspective, resource rich ASEAN, with its 600 million consumers is one of the most interesting regions in the world. Yet, German companies have to recognize it and position themselves to benefit from its long-term growth potential. Compared with the EU, the level of integration in ASEAN is still at an early stage. At the same time, the level of economic development among the 10 member countries varies widely. Based on the survey findings in this report, German business engagement and investment in the region are expected to rise over the coming years.
In the past, central banks were able to push short-term interest rates below zero with negative deposit rates but they had limited influence on longer-maturity bonds. When the financial crisis hit in 2007, all this changed, revealing a new unconventional monetary policy that included buying bonds. Since then, central banks have supported pricing by buying sovereign and corporate bonds, thereby depressing yields. Since March 2015, the ECB has been buying 60 billion euros of bonds every month as part of its QE program.
Amid unprecedented economic turmoil and regulatory change, most asset managers have afforded themselves little time to bring the future into focus. But the industry stands on the precipice of a number of fundamental shifts that will shape the future of the asset management industry. This paper will help asset managers’ plan for the future by identifying the key game changers which will impact the competitive environment in the next five years.
One primary consideration of investors looking to make an allocation to listed real estate via real estate investment trusts (REITs) today is the impact that a rising-rate environment has on the relative performance of REITs vs. other broader asset classes. This paper discusses the role of REITs in a portfolio as part of a comprehensive investment strategy.
Co-investing is gaining popularity and theoretically offers investors cost advantages and higher return potential. This report discusses the opportunities and common pitfalls of co-investing, leveraging our aggregated data on co-investments and funds generating co-investment.
Advisors and consumers often think of variable universal life (VUL) as just an equity-linked product. But for many, VUL is much more than that.This article seeks to encourage a rethinking of VUL as a unique life insurance product that provides control, flexibility and transparency in a low cost product chassis, while providing the potential for enhanced returns through access to equity investment allocations.