The Swiss National Bank removed the EUR/CHF 1.20 floor on January 15, 2015, which had been in place since September 2011, while cutting further the 3-month interest rate target (to between -1.25% and -0.25%). This research paper provides analysis into the potential outcomes of this move by the SNB to the Swiss economy, and illustrates the def...
Today’s philanthropists want to channel their desire to “do something” into purposeful and strategic action. Donors frequently want to create or invest in the people and programs that can make a measurable difference. However, for many of us, it may be difficult to know where to begin. Philanthropic endeavors are often rooted in t...
Some years make indelible stamps on our consciousness for memorable market trends or events, good or bad. Investors’ conversations are dotted with references to 1987 (Black Monday Crash), 1999 (tech stocks through the roof), 2000 (dot-com bubble bursts), 2008 (financial crisis) and 2009 (bounce back off the bottom) that need little or n...
Would your client benefit from a Private Foundation?Annually, 98% of families with a net worth in excess of $5 million give to charity; philanthropy can be a key element in tax management and estate planning, in addition to instilling a sense of responsibility to younger family members.A Private Foundation is a privately funded and controlled tax-e...
Most people typically don’t think about exchange rates unless they are heading out of the country. Exchange rates have been very much top-of-mind during the past year. The U.S. dollar has strengthened, while many other leading world currencies have fallen. The new equilibrium has the potential to affect economic growth and inflation around th...
This executive summary examines economic data for the U.S. Economy, Global Economy, Bonds, U.S. Equity Market, International Financial Markets and the state of Alternative Investments for the second Quarter of 2014.
The 2008 US Credit Crisis that resulted in the European Banking and Sovereign Crisis exposed major weaknesses in banking regulation and oversight. The reaction from policymakers and market participants set about sweeping reforms that will permanently alter the system as we know it. This paper discusses the massive regulatory change that will create...
This thoughtful paper provides a historical perspective of the Hedge Fund markets performance in varying economic clients and relates what has been learned in the past to the current market conditions since the Recession of 2008.
In this market forecast, Atlantic Trust discusses presents the issues that will have the most impact on the financial markets over the next 12 months, including: The EconomyU.S. is posting impressive growth as the expansion broadens.Many other countries are struggling with too little growth, too much inflation or both.The collapse in oil pri...
Altantic Trust Private Wealth Management provides insight into the financial markets in its Economic and Investment Overview for the second quarter of 2014, some highlights include:- Economy: Mostly good newsU.S.: Q1 likely weakest quarter of the year. 3% real GDP growth expected for full year.- Policy: Fed action unfolding as expectedFed policy re...
According to a Norwegian linguist, the Sami people living in northern Russia and Scandinavia have 180 words for snow and ice. It seems that there are nearly as many terms for investment strategies designed specifically for societal impact. A few of the terms being used today include: “socially responsible investing,” “ESG in...
The Russian Ruble has collapsed. Its economy appears to be headed into a recession. Oil prices have plunged. The US Dollar (USD) has surged. Emerging markets debt has grown significantly since the “Great Recession.” Are we on the verge of a repeat of 1997 and 1998 when we saw a surge of defaults by the countries collectively called...
This commentary provides updated data on the state of the global economy in the First Quarter of 2015, including: Recent economic data showed economic growth cooled in the first quarter impacted by a pull back in activity by energy companies, rough winter weather and a strong US dollar. The US economy expanded at a 2.2% annualized pace i...
Impact investments can be made in all corners of the world, in frontier and emerging markets, developed economies and our local neighborhoods. When successfully implemented, impact investing can potentially produce a sustainable pool of capital that can work for generations, as well as help align financial capital with your passions, beliefs and ob...
Change is in the wind. After a challenging 2015, the investment landscape for 2016 will be defined by a new course for monetary policy and political leadership, a new primary catalyst for stocks and an altered roadmap for credit markets, and for energy. Looking ahead at these asset classes—U.S. equities, international equities, fixed income, ...