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In the second quarter 2014 issue of Rockefeller & Co.’s Global Foresight, entitled “Mapping Out the Future,” David P. Harris, CFA, Chief Investment Officer, and Jimmy C. Chang, CFA, Chief Equity Strategist, take a closer look at potential opportunities within the generally-struggling emerging markets and contrast them to the developed markets.

Four investment “styles” – Value, Momentum, Carry, and Defensive – have emerged as compelling sources of alternative returns, backed by economic theory and decades of data across geographies and asset groups. When applied as long-short strategies, these styles have delivered positive long-term returns across multiple asset groups and markets, with low correlations to other investments.

Following an unusually frigid winter, the weather has borne the brunt of blame for weakened economic statistics. While anecdotal evidence is overwhelming, identifying and quantifying the effects of the weather on economic data is difficult. In this white paper, Glenmede argues that the slowing economic growth of recent months reflects fundamental conditions rather than one-off weather effects, and they are watching for signs that portfolio risk levels should be lowered.

This edition of Altair Insight, a quarterly market review from Altair Advisers, explores the following key topics:

As the family office sector evolves fund structures are becoming increasingly relevant and beneficial to manage the assets within the family. Many of the usual considerations for fund managers are equally valid for family offices.This article describes the several potential fund structures that:Provide a recognised and well established legal framework.Permit a family office to have greater control over the assets.Allow the family office to evolve into a multi-family office or boutique wealth manager.

On 18 March, the Russian Ministry of Finance published a draft law on anti-offshore measures (the Draft). This article by Withers LLP provides a thoughtful review of the Draft, which introduces three concepts:Controlled foreign companies rules (CFC)Russian tax residence for foreign companies based on tests of management and controlNew rules on taxation of the indirect disposal of Russian real estate

In this 2013 study, Northern Trust examines how institutional investors might be using alternative indexes in their portfolios. With the increased focus on risk management and the growing demand for low-cost, transparent strategies, they wondered whether making an allocation to alternative indexes might be the new active decision in beta management.This study includes a multi-pronged approach:

No Lapse Guarantee (NLG) policies, or policies with NLG riders are attractive to some insureds. The premise behind these policies is that as long as the premium is paid on time each year, the death benefit is guaranteed. Thus, many insureds, advisors, and trustees are under the impression that these policies do not require ongoing review. This is an incorrect notion.

The sale of a business can be one of the most significant events for families of wealth. Often, family members have devoted substantial time and resources to building a successful enterprise.While the sale of the business may be viewed as the successful culmination of years of work, it may also cause concern for the owner, who feels there is not enough time to initiate effective wealth transfer planning. Instituting the proper planning process before a sale has a material impact on the after-tax sales proceeds received and provides peace of mind for the owner.

In this edition of Market Insights, Glenmede provides an in-depth look at recent U.S. employment numbers and highlights the following: