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The year 2024 is now in the history books, marking three notable market highlights: a very good year for U.S., the AI gold rush broadening to other industries and sectors, and a surprisingly tough year for U.S. bonds. Looking ahead to what’s next in 2025, Chief Investment Officer Pete Chiappinelli of Ballentine Partners sees thirteen areas for investors to keep in mind—and it starts with the resilient strength of the U.S. economy.

Amid evolving global dynamics, emerging market corporate debt offers ample and compelling investable opportunities. The diversity of the asset class gives investors a wide spectrum on which to effectuate their views and investment strategies. But investors should navigate with caution and take note of the five themes that will have a notable impact on the asset class: net supply, U.S. policies, crude oil, the trajectory of interest rates and impact on financing costs, and improved default rates.

The unique position of family offices gives them an opportunity to pursue a broad spectrum of investments and utilize different strategies. In this 10-minute interview, Brian Lucareli, director of Foley Private Client Services (PCS) and co-chair of the Family Offices group, joins Kay Gordon, partner, and member of our Fund Formation and Investment Management practice group, for a discussion on family investments.

For many investors, fund-of-funds (FOFs) are the only way to replicate a large, diversified private equity (PE) program and is preferable to constructing a PE program oneself. Another important benefit of a FOF is the ability to aggregate hundreds of potential underlying portfolio capital calls into just a few. On the operational side, FOFs can reduce both the complexity and capital call requirements of a robust PE program. For the investors considering a FOF strategy, a historical analysis also shows the potential for superior investment outcomes.

While “investing success” can mean different things to different investors, determining its meaning is essential to understanding what path to follow. Toward that end, there are four principles that provide a solid framework for improving the chances of investment success: goals, balance, cost, and discipline. By incorporating these guiding principles into your investment strategy and your children's financial education, you can reduce the noise and distractions of the ups and downs of market cycles and focus on the things within your control.

The good fortune of high productivity growth and a surge in available labor has propelled the U.S. economy, while other economies have been less lucky. A key risk to the U.S. outlook is the potential waning of the positive supply-side factors, though expansionary fiscal policy may cushion any negative impact on growth as the era of sound money lives on.

For an investment committee to be effective, there must be a written committee charter that will help guide and add value to a portfolio. Following five core elements tailored to fit any family’s circumstance, this sample investment committee charter serves as a strong foundation for short- and long-term investment success.

The expectations of an economic soft landing and favorable equity market in both 2023 and 2024 were possible due to the positive underpinnings of a healthy labor market, falling inflation, and a Fed pivot to rate cutting. In 2025, however, expectations are higher, policy shifts are underway, and several new factors that include tariffs, trade wars, budget deficits, long-term interest rates, and stock market valuation are primed to collide.

Emerging markets (EMs) remain an efficient gateway to powerful secular themes, from technology-driven transformations to consumer growth stories. However, expectations of higher U.S. interest rates and a stronger dollar are likely to challenge EM currencies and investor sentiment in 2025, and the 2024 U.S. election introduced a new layer of uncertainty. While EMs present a landscape of opportunity amid increasing macroeconomic headwinds, investors should be prepared for uneven outcomes across regions.