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With President Trump often communicating policy via Twitter, investors are once again finding messaging can be costly—one mere tweet from Trump blasting the pricing of an F-35 fighter jet caused Lockheed Martin to shed $2 billion of market value within minutes. Since the likely market outcome usually lies somewhere in between extreme bullish ...

The optimism and market strength seen in 2016 continued into the first quarter of this year with equity markets showing notable advances. International stocks showed their promise in the first three months of the year as emerging markets rallied 11.45 percent and developed international markets gained 7.39 percent. U.S. stocks were still in the rac...

Traditional economic theory teaches that humans will make rational decisions when presented with all the facts and appropriate alternatives. Research shows, however, that in many instances investors make irrational decisions driven by our prehistoric “lizard brain.” These are the reactions developed over many years to promote survival a...

After falling from over $100 a barrel to its low point of $26 in February 2016, prices for crude oil have now risen to about $50 a barrel. While that’s nearly a 100 percent increase, oil is still comparatively cheap. But the current state of crude oil also necessitates a look at other investments that move with the price of oil—directly...

Assuming funds of funds offer nothing in return—or that you get less than you pay for—is a mistake for a surprisingly broad group of investors. That perspective becomes clearer when taking a closer review of the reason investment committees focus their attention on high-level strategic thinking and asset allocation, rather than on picki...

Legal developments in digital currencies, including bitcoin, emerge almost on a daily basis across the global landscape. While in Argentina virtual currencies are not legal tender under the country’s National Constitution, in Croatia there are informal statements by the Croatian National Bank that look favorably on the legality of bitcoin. In...

Fund groups face disruptive developments, as advances in financial technology, often called fintech, continue at an ever more rapid pace. Even as new efficiencies and opportunities blossom, regulators have pushed financial firms to recognize the dangers of technological failures. To prepare for the changes ushered in by fintech, it is important for...

Wealth does not build itself, but it can be built, nurtured and preserved—not just for you and your generation, but for generations to come. In an unprecedented study into the insights of wealthy families, clear evidence of new wealth management strategies has emerged. There are signs of more inclusive decision-making within the family. Many ...

The Brexit vote and Donald Trump’s unexpected 2016 election victory have kicked off a wave of pro-nationalist sentiment across the globe. With several key Eurozone countries facing elections in 2017, leading economists and investors envision a possible reshuffling (and even a potential demise) of the European Union. Volatility typically accom...

Since the election, investors have focused on the positive aspects of President Trump’s surprising electoral victory and the end of U.S. legislative gridlock. There will likely be times in the year ahead when the more worrisome, controversial initiatives pushed by the Trump administration will rattle investor confidence—at which point w...

Rising interest rates late in 2016 took a toll on bond prices, and were the catalyst for one of the worst quarters for bonds in recent decades. Current expectations are for interest rates to move gradually higher in 2017. While rising rates can be a headwind to bond performance in the near term, they don’t impact the coupon rate or cash flow ...

No matter how many times an entrepreneur has started a business, challenges abound. The marketplace is fickle in picking winners and losers, and any ego boost from other successes must be checked at the door of the new venture. But the challenges doesn’t stop many entrepreneurs from taking on multiple startup experiences. That’s increas...

Millennials, in general, are avoiding the financial markets and instead keeping more of their money in bank accounts despite historically low interest rates. Just 26 percent of people under 30 invest in stocks, according to a 2015 survey by Bankrate.com. The key reasons can be attributed to the shift in generational behavior: distrust, flexibility,...

Philanthropists from Europe, the United States, Asia, and the Middle East are approaching philanthropy in an innovative way and actively promote their causes. Interviews illustrate how they are trying to make a lasting change in terms of impact on the ground as well as the longevity of their charitable organizations. For many philanthropists, achie...

The first quarter may be an accurate forecast of the performance of risk assets for the entire year, which is likely to be one of a flat average and a wide range of individual monthly returns. After the initial five-week decline in risk asset prices, global stocks reversed their initial losses, high-yield bonds spreads tightened, and the CRB Commod...