The ESG-labeled bond issuance has been significantly growing and is likely to persist, along with investor interest in this segment of the fixed income markets. What can responsible investors in this market expect in the year to come? Sustainable bonds should play an increasingly important role.
The tailwinds that greeted commodities in 2021 have moderated, but they are not gone. Faced with strong economic growth and high inflation, the market expects the Fed to run down its balance sheet and begin hiking interest rates. In addition, a shift in consumer habits has left most commodity markets priced for a deficit, which may require an exten...
Most of us are familiar with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) as the headline measure of inflation. However, at the January 2012 Federal Open Market Committee, the Fed declared it would use the Personal Consumption Expenditure price index (PCE). Since the indexes are calculated differently in weight, scope, and formula, it will yield different measur...
Index investing has been a boon to investors seeking accessible, diversified portfolios. However, many index-based portfolios have become notably more concentrated in recent years, in terms of both individual stock positions and sector representation. Given this reality, it’s understandable why many investors are looking at other options to b...
Investors may not be able to control the markets—but they can control their risks, values, and taxes. Find out how the rise of direct indexing makes it possible.
Responsible investing has taken the investment field by a storm and become mainstream. Looking ahead, investors continue to be particularly interested in two predominant ESG themes that have been main points of focus for the past several years: the climate and diversity.
Just as online shopping gives consumers access to the best Black Friday deals without the need to awaken before dawn, systematic tax-loss harvesting enables investors to realize the best opportunities to harvest losses throughout the year without concern that thin, end-of-year markets will impact a portfolio’s yield and risk profile. While th...
If you’re not sure what direct indexing means, you’re not alone. While the name may be new, the strategy isn’t. Get a quick primer on how this method of investing works, what its advantages are, and which types of investors may see the greatest benefit.
How can investors navigate the turbulent waters of municipal-bond credit-risk spread? The answer may be: “Wait and see.”
Municipal bonds had a turbulent third quarter. But did the sharp rise in yields (and corresponding drop in prices) cause investors to overreact?
There is a growing awareness that investment-grade corporate bond investors can use the same environmental, social, and governance (ESG) metrics popular in equity portfolios. Though in its early stages, this awareness is leading to rapid growth in socially responsible bond investing. By incorporating ESG, bond investors may achieve superior risk mi...
With the frequency and damage of weather-related events continuing to rise, now is the time for municipal bond investors to assess and mitigate the climate risk. Along with other measures to take, the risk assessment should include whether the municipality has enacted any resiliency plans to combat risks from weather-related events.
This year has made it abundantly clear that investing in China carries risk. How will recent regulatory shifts in China affect investment strategy? A diversified approach is the key to spread out exposure.
As investing has grown increasingly personalized, separately managed accounts (SMA) have become a trusted vehicle for customized solutions to meet a client’s unique objectives. Up to now, when looking for personalized fixed-income solutions, advisors have considered key factors such as income needs, liquidity requirements, investment horizon,...
Investors may prefer speed, but in a market as inefficient as the municipal bond market, it may not be in their best interests to rush the investment process. Data indicates that the cost of a reasonably investment period is low and that the benefit of waiting for attractive new issues is real. Even in the fast-paced world of investing, slow and st...