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REITs’ recent strong relative performance highlights the potential benefits of having defensive, lease-based revenues, and high dividend yields in an environment of heightened uncertainty. As investors look to protect their portfolios from what may be a more challenging and volatile environment, we believe a 10-15% allocation to REITs can be part of the solution. REITs provide a compelling way to diversify in today’s market, offering attractive relative valuations, low correlations with equities, and the backing of robust demand in the private market.

Over the past two decades, China’s success has benefited from both external and internal factors, being globalization and domestic market-oriented reforms. Recent years saw these factors gradually changing to affect China’s growth dynamics, and such impact will continue to exist in the medium to long term.

An increasingly popular way to reduce taxes generally is to invest in Qualified Opportunity Zones (QOZs), but little is discussed about how QOZs can be utilized to shift appreciation of wealth over time to future generations. Investors have various options to transfer interests in QOZs to future generations tax efficiently. With this new opportunity available, there are a few items to evaluate: What is the value of the QOZ over time? Why would you transfer the QOZ interest? What are things to be aware of when making this decision?

Financial markets were exceptionally strong in the first quarter of 2019. Nearly all major asset classes posted returns so positive that they virtually wiped out losses from the difficult fourth quarter of 2018. But will that kind of return be it for 2019?

The cannabis industry is blooming. Market-watchers expect to see double digit sales growth every year through 2022, despite frequent changes in the regulations that govern this rapidly evolving industry. To protect their investments and keep making the bold moves needed to reap the rewards in this high growth industry, cannabis business operators at every step in the supply chain need to be proactive when it comes to managing risk. And that starts with the right insurance coverage.

Financial markets look more buoyant than in the closing weeks of 2018. High levels of market volatility have been tamed by central bank moderation, with equity indices having had a roaring start of the year. However, looking beyond immediate market sentiment, how much has really changed? The six key investment themes at the start of the year provide a good structure for answering the question. They may also suggest how far markets could go in the future.

Qualified Opportunity Zones (QOZ) offer taxable investors the potential for deferral of existing gains and tax-free growth. Though the basic provisions of the tax incentive are known, the rules remain unclear and regulatory risks persist. While the existence of a tax incentive can make a good investment even better, investment decisions should not be primarily driven by tax considerations.

Discussions between the U.S. and China regarding trade and tariff issues remain fluid. Markets are increasingly optimistic that an agreement between the two countries can help restore globalization trends, but protectionism could still weigh on growth. In Europe, the economy continues to report signs of weakness. In the U.S., labor conditions remain robust, with 3.8% unemployment rate. Sentiment indicators have been mixed, and surveys of corporate CFO priorities show a shift into more defensive strategies (away from expansion).

It has been a great start to 2019 in the marketplace, beginning with impact investors making strong returns. Next, notable companies are being acquired or completing IPOs. Opportunity Zones are a hot topic, and many investors have been asking about an OZ fund.