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It is frequently suggested that that family offices should mimic institutions and adopt an institutionally disciplined and process-oriented approach when managing their investment portfolios. Through a process-oriented approach, institutions and family offices can be more effective and produce more efficient long-term results.While this concept is ...

On June 5, 2014, the European Central Bank crossed an important symbolic line by announcing plans to reduce the policy interest rate into negative territory. Included in this announcement was a host of complementary but nontraditional policy measures, completing the picture of a committee stretching for greater impact.The author believes that:Aggre...

The July, 2014 Global Economic Update from Asset Consulting Group includes the following:Year-to-date asset class returns for global equities, global fixed income and global real assetsA US and non-US economic overview and forecastReview of current issues and questions that clients are askingReview of current investment opportunities and investment...

Significant noise has surrounded the dissolution of California Redevelopment Agencies for the past three years. Numerous headlines trumpeted debt service disruptions, lawsuits, cleanup legislation and potential hiccups related to the flow of funds for California Redevelopment debt.Over time, it has become clearer that the potential for credit impro...

The confluence of favorable market dynamics, including high corporate cash balances, low interest rates and cooperative capital markets, has created an environment in which corporate management teams and boards of directors can take action to increase value for equity owners.Engagement by shareholders, both private and public, is on the rise and ha...

Throughout our history, investors have utilized a combination of both “active” and “passive” investment solutions to solve for client needs. This paper provides a perspective on the ongoing debate over the advantages and shortcomings of these vehicles and details the importance for each client to have the right mix in order to position them to achi...

Periods of economic boom and bust have been a fixture in academia. Many credit Arthur Burns and Wesley Mitchell for formulizing our present day construct of the business cycle in their 1946 book, Measuring Business Cycles. In most teachings, the economy is neatly categorized into trough and peak, expansion and contraction. The dates of such periods...

The phenomenal success of Yale's endowment has been an inspiration to many investors. However, if Yale’s endowment had to pay the same taxes as individual investors, its portfolio would be constructed very differently. This paper presents a simple model for incorporating tax considerations into a pretax asset allo...

The phenomenal success of Yale's endowment has been an inspiration to many investors. However, if Yale’s endowment had to pay the same taxes as individual investors, its portfolio would be constructed very differently. This paper presents a simple model for incorporating tax considerations into a pretax asset allo...

Many families have significant wealth tied up in the publicly traded shares of a single firm. Concentrated exposure to a single stock—often the family’s original source of wealth—represents a significant risk to the family’s wealth and its future spending and charitable-gifting power. Emotional ties to the company that may have made the f...

Our Convergence thought leadership focuses on transformative technologies in the early 21st century. Insights and data shared demonstrate the significant impact these integrated technologies will have on virtually all industries and people worldwide for years to come.

While subdued inflation and low bond yields have been key common features across major economies in the current growth recovery, the divergence in labour market dynamics has been striking. Whereas the rise in Euro area unemployment has barely been dented, the fall in US or UK unemployment has been faster than anticipated.

This white paper reviews how the new landscape of energy in the U.S. is changing the national discourse on energy independence, influencing our economic recovery and offering opportunities for discriminating investors.

The big difference between 1999, 2007, and today is the lack of a fundamental trigger to upset the apple cart. The current environment is potentially more dangerous and more durable than the prior two periods.

The paper discusses how many advisors and high net worth clients view life insurance as an expense as opposed to a dynamic asset that requires constant monitoring, analysis and periodic decision-making to give it the best opportunity to perform as it was intended. Included are some case examples of real life situations and once read can provi...