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A slow economic recovery will continue, as governments and central banks search for the right policy mix amid the COVID-19 crisis. The policy will implicitly aim to manage many financial markets, but such efforts will not stop volatility. Strategic asset allocation remains the best way to navigate a still very uncertain investment environment.

The unique market environment which we are calling "Post-Monetary Era" presents many challenges for investors, suggesting that investors should focus on defining, quantifying, and prioritizing their goals in order to maximize their probabilty of financial success. This podcast suggests that investors view their goals as "self-imposed...

Having become accustomed to the "new normal" of Quantitative Easing, ultra-low interest rates, and Fed-suppressed market volatility, investors must now learn to live with a "new, new normal" as the Federal Reserve's COVID-19 response reset market conditions and expectations. This podcasts describes seven important facts abou...

Individual investments in your portfolios may be viewed as “bundle" of different risks: term risk, default risk, equity risk, alpha risk, illiquidity risk, and leverage risk. Some investments—such as the 30-Year U.S. Treasury Bond—carry only a single type of risk (term risk), while more complex investments or fund vehicles su...

As the clock winds down on the U.S. election, many investors are interested in how a Biden administration would impact their taxes—particularly whether it’s more beneficial to realize gains today (pay now) or continue to defer gains into the future (pay later). It’s a big tax management decision for investors and advisors. We take...

Election Day in the U.S. has the potential to surprise in many aspects, and this year’s election outcome will have a profound impact on equity valuations—or at least that’s what the market appears to be telling the investors. With this year’s referendum likely to result in valuation changes, the attention turns to the q...

The exclusion of the high-profile company Tesla Motors from a major equity index took many investors by surprise. The news sent the company’s shares down 21% the next trading day. That example illustrates the critical role of index providers and the level of discretion they may have in adding or removing constituent stocks. It’s just on...

The environmental, social, and governance (ESG) research among institutional investors has historically focused mostly on the “E” and the “G,” leaving social issues as somewhat of a forgotten middle child. But the COVID-19 pandemic and racially-driven police violence have shifted public opinion, and it matters. At this infle...

Investing sustainably does not mean sacrificing returns. In fact, the opposite is true across many different asset classes. A closer look shows how investments in private equity, public equity, and fixed income can generate social impact while driving real financial results for investors.

Portfolio customization is growing in popularity among equity investors—but does it have a place in the bond market? Learn about the benefits of stratified cells.

Actions demonstrate what it means to be a sustainable business. And in times of crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, companies show through their actions how they balance societal concerns and profit motives. Further, companies that find a role in addressing this crisis can use this opportunity to do well in the world and to chart new long-term b...

Washington will be a different place under a Biden administration, but it won’t be a different enough to cause a seismic shift across the investment landscape. While some observers fear a divided government may inevitably lead to gridlock, a more likely outcome is compromise—meeting halfway in a few areas. It will be a mixed bag for mun...

The housing market’s role as one of the key drivers of the current recovery has been notable and stands in stark contrast to its role as a key driver of the last recession (2008-2009). Its surprising resilience is due in part to the pandemic-induced demand for housing, ultra-low interest rates, and pre-pandemic demographic trends. The longer-...

A growing demand for a more equitable and inclusive society has emerged in a year marked by turmoil and uncertainty. Fixed income issuers are starting to respond to that demand by offering social bonds. Through this innovative vehicle, see how muni investors have the ability to effect systemic change and make a positive impact on society.

The process of finding a charity and donating money seems simple. However, just like portfolio asset allocation, slightly different approaches can yield dramatically different results in your wealth management strategy. See how they change when looking at comparable after-tax benefits of three basic methods of charitable giving.