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History shows a number of scenarios could lead to significant losses for bond investors. Based on an examination of fixed-income markets since 1919, researchers found that even the most gradual rate increase scenario models an annualized return expectation of 0 percent for almost six years.

Emerging markets have been recognized for quite a while as a place where investors can earn greater returns than in developed economies due to higher economic growth, strong balance sheets and more attractive demographics. Although investing in emerging markets remains an area of opportunity for investors, navigating an emerging market economy is challenging.

This paper examines several factors impacting investors' commodities exposure and the current sentiment on downside risks.

This paper identifies four channels through which the shock of a Greek default could spread across the Eurozone and the global economy.

Market turmoil has brought the topic of Minimum Variance Portfolios (MVP) to the forefront. But examined within a broad U.S. universe alongside the closely related Low Volatility Portfolio (LVP) counterpart are investors who employ an MVP strategy appropriately compensated for the relative risk they assume?

The national economy is showing signs of life, state and local tax receipts are on the rise, local budgets are returning to balance. Nevertheless, Moody’s and S&P are downgrading more tax-supported credits than they are upgrading. On the surface such rating actions may seem incongruous with the economic conditions. But, in fact, they are all too predictable for those familiar with the municipal market. Ratings assigned by the major public ratings companies are a backward-looking indicator of an issuer’s credit worthiness.

With interest rates at historically low levels, fixed income investors have become increasingly concerned about rising rates and how their portfolios might be affected. However, rising rates do not necessarily mean negative total returns for fixed-income investments. This paper examines the factors that can affect interest rates, as well as how fixed-income investments can respond as rates rise.

Of course, we’ve all heard the term “globalization.” It’s quickly become one of the most fashionable buzzwords of contemporary political and economic debates. Just as trade has been increasing and manufacturing has moved abroad, the capital markets have been “globalizing.” By expanding your fixed income investment horizon to include the world, you can substantially enhance your opportunity set.

This paper explores the concept of Volatility harvesting (using Volatility as an asset within your portfolio), or the extra growth generated from systematically diversifying and rebalancing.

Dividends have taken a back seat in recent years, but historically have represented 40% of large cap equity market total returns. In some periods, dividend income was the only return to equity investors. Higher yielding equities provide strong current income plus the opportunity for appreciation without being eroded by future inflation. The Relative Value Dividend Focused strategy’s annual gross yield of 2.9% as of December 31, 2011 was 30% higher than the S&P 500 yield of 2.2% and over 50% higher than the 10-year Treasury yield of 1.9%.