Escalating geopolitical turmoil in the world and a strengthening U.S. dollar are heightening currency volatility, leading to a renewed focus on foreign exchange risk in investments. To understand the implications of currency hedging within investment portfolios and the investors who will benefit from the strategy, we turn to NEPC CIO Timothy F. McCusker for his insights.
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Revisiting the Active vs. Passive Investing Debate
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The prominent role of passive strategies in the investment management industry raises the question of how to best utilize active and passive in portfolios. As the research shows in this paper, there are advantages with an investment strategy that combines both active and passive management in the portfolio construction process, while recognizing that each investor will approach investing with a unique set of risk and return goals. The combination strategy will also require strong manager due diligence, an understanding of when active vs.
Investing in Private Markets: A Primer
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Typically, investors focus on more traditional asset classes, like stocks and bonds, where information is often readily available and digestible. Sometimes, however, sophisticated qualifying investors increase their capital allocations to private markets for reasons they believe are compelling enough to make it worth taking the risk. This primer will provide an introduction to private markets investing, explore key reasons behind why investors allocate capital to the asset class, and evaluate some of the key risks and challenges that potential investors should consider.
Why Private Markets
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Despite the hurdles and distinct challenges that come with adding private markets to an investment portfolio, many of the most sophisticated institutional investors are allocating to private markets. Historically, the asset class has generally outperformed public markets due to a range of factors, including the broader investment landscape, information inefficiencies, and operational control. Fueled by a less efficient market and significant operational control, private markets are likely to continue their track record of outperformance.
Private credit investments have experienced a rapid evolution over the past decade. Market conditions have helped to shape what may be a particularly auspicious cycle for the asset class. Higher interest rates and changing credit market dynamics have created attractive opportunities for private investors and wealthy families—but proper due diligence and implementation is essential. Allocations to private credit can be additive to overall portfolio positioning.
Optimizing Wealth Infrastructure for Families
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As families of wealth navigate the complexities of their wealth management, it is crucial to remain proactive in building and adjusting their investment infrastructure to help preserve and maintain wealth over the long term. This paper serves as a guide for families who have decided to outsource the investment function of their portfolio by partnering with an investment advisor. Its aim is to help families understand the different structural components to consider as they work to create an institutional-caliber portfolio.
A year ago, consensus calls were for looming recession and continued Fed cuts. Instead, economic progress has held steady, labor markets are in better balance, AI’s influence is seemingly everywhere, and inflation is edging bumpily toward the Fed’s target of 2%. As we enter the back half of the year how will markets, interest rates, and the economy perform? Are consumers tapped out? What potential repercussions might arise from divergent Global Central Bank polices? Does the 2024 political cycle hold significance for markets, rates, industrial policy?
Tax Advantaged Equity Over Time
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This article explains how Tax Advantaged Equity (TAE) portfolios are traded over time and illustrates how value is achieved over the course of the portfolio’s life. For a TAE portfolio with an objective to harvest available losses and minimize gains while managing risk, there will generally be a few major phases through the life of the portfolio, including loss maximization, loss harvesting and gain minimization, and maturity.
The success of a private equity fund’s investment in a portfolio company largely hinges on the performance of the Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Initially chosen CFOs may be ideal for early goals, but market shifts might necessitate a change in CFO to adapt and succeed. Understanding the unique skills of different CFO archetypes is key for funds to make timely, effective leadership decisions.
The Divestment Question: Focus on Governance
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Divestment is a complex decision, especially when passionate voices are actively seeking to influence change, take an ethical investing stance, and/or ensure that the capital of the institution they care about does not fund or profit from a cause or actions they oppose. This paper by Cambridge Associates offers considerations for how to manage calls for divestment and raises questions that need to be answered to respond clearly and effectively to divestment requests.