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Fears of supply disruptions, regime change and further declines in the U.S. dollar are helping to drive oil prices higher. Yet, there seems to be sufficient capacity to offset supply shortfalls. Looking forward, fossil fuels and renewable alternatives both need to be developed to help secure our energy independence.

Sustainability has become a hallmark of market leaders. While sustainability is hard to measure, it has clearly become a prime concern of corporate management and we believe that it has reached a point where no prudent investor can ignore it.

The art market appears to be on the upswing worldwide with record-breaking prices in the past year. However, the biggest growth surge has come from China, not only because of the increasing number of collectors there but also because of renewed enthusiasm for the country's art.

Forecasts for the demise of the bond market have popped up repeatedly during the past two years only to be deflated by yet another bond market rally. Arguably, it is different this time. Rising rates seem close at hand, and this paper provides detail on that view. At the same time, the paper cautions against overestimating the downside risk in bonds.

Thanks to dedicated financial infrastructure and full research coverage, local currency debt is now a plausible and enticing asset class. Fundamentals continue to improve even after being tested by the 2008-2009 financial crisis, while supporting technical factors such as increased liquidity and a broader investor base also have increased its attractiveness.

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 strategic buyer.

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 overcrowded trade.

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.

Private investment in cleantech means making choices among the various sectors – such as renewables, smart grid technologies, energy storage, and transportation technologies – and then considering the relative stage of companies within those sub-sectors.

The short-term uncertainty in the financial markets is likely to rise, and investors will likely be looking to raise liquidity, especially given the continued turmoil in the Middle East and North Africa and the trade deficit hiccup in China. That said, we do not expect the engine of global growth to stall anytime soon. We would view weaknesses in the equity markets as buying opportunities.