The author makes the case for investment in transportation companies, citing increasing global trade, the outsourcing of increasingly complex supply chains to third parties, the rise of e-commerce, the fuel and environmental efficiency of railroads, and infrastructure upgrades of mass transit systems.
It may be difficult for consumers to sustain current spending levels given the sticker shock of prices at the pump. Add to the mix a move higher in interest rates, cuts in unemployment benefits and other services, and a restructuring of the Social Security and Medicare/Medicaid system as we know it, and it would seem the downside risks to growth ar...
Research shows that we are not good at predicting what makes us happy as individuals and that having considerable wealth does not make us happier. However, having control over our lives does. A financial plan that starts by discovering the key goals and issues that motivate an individual can lead to greater personal happiness.
The style box concept can help investors manage portfolio risk effectively. But thinking outside the box – considering opportunities across the spectrum, exploiting efficiencies from both beta and alpha perspectives, and using large-cap stocks selectively – may give investors a better chance to outperform the market.
Researchers demonstrate that a portfolio with a specific beta constraint can be improved by moving toward a leveraged bond position. When that is permitted, replacing a specific beta target with an acceptable "beta range" adds the flexibility needed to achieve even better returns.
While most investments are driven by economic supply and demand, the performance of managed futures is driven by market factors, such as price persistence, volatility, and price dislocation. This provides benefits for portfolio diversification in a world of unpredictable market events.
Families can find a well-qualified firm to meet their home technology needs by performing the proper due diligence. Before hiring an automation company, families should consider the reputation of the firm, determine its qualifications, conduct a targeted interview, and evaluate the firm's design experience.
Now is a good time for not-for-profit organizations to clean their gift closets by assessing endowment funds. This can help to keep funds from being misapplied, identify funds that are dormant due to donor restrictions, and reveal uses that could be applied to new organization initiatives. Check the documentation and review the terms of each gift.
Owners who are looking to transition their businesses face the question of whether it is better to sell now or wait until later, particularly in light of the current tax situation. In making this consideration, they should consider the pros and cons of various options: status quo, management buyout, ESOP, sale to a financial buyer, or sale to a str...
The global financial crisis has debunked several myths about liquidity, including that long-term investors do not need short-term liquidity and that short-term investors are a reliable source of short-term liquidity. Instead, the most important source of liquidity is unleveraged contrarian investors who are willing to take the other side of an over...
Studies show that "emerging" hedge fund managers tend to outperform their larger, more established brethren. However, this additional alpha should not blind investors to the need for proper operational due diligence, say the authors, who suggest practical tips to ensure meaningful due diligence and risk mitigation.
The emerging market corporate bond market has become appropriate for a wider range of investors due to its size, liquidity, and dedicated research platforms. This paper highlights 10 key characteristics of this market segment as well as the fundamental risks and market risks for fixed-income investors.
There is no simple solution to measure the overall risk of a security or portfolio with one statistic. The author recommends that investors use a variety of measures, including spread duration, rating breakdowns, and the average price of securities in each rating category.
While we believe the scale and scope of current market risks are not enough to topple the markets, we feel a correction of some magnitude is warranted given how a confluence of risk factors could adjust global growth expectations. As such, we are recommending a modestly more defensive posture despite seemingly attractive valuations.
We expect 2011 growth will fall into the lower end of the 3.25% to 3.75% range. Pockets of economic weakness are likely to persist – in unemployment, housing and consumer confidence – but the general economic climate is far healthier than was the case a year ago. Political and geo-political issues, we believe, are the most significant threats to co...