Risks have loomed larger and recent economic data have been less than inspiring. Markets have stumbled, but underlying conditions still support expansion and the global economic recovery continues. 7/20/2010

Booming exports to emerging markets have made an unprecedented contribution to reviving US economic growth since mid-2009, fueling a rebound in manufacturing production and investment. We believe these trends represent a durable shift away from the US economy’s traditional engines, consumption and housing, that will lead to a healthier balance of real GDP growth in the decade ahead. 6/23/2010

Most investment portfolios are not designed with inflation risk explicitly in mind. As a result, many investors are often dangerously susceptible to an unexpected rise in inflation, which can present one of the most pernicious environments for traditional portfolios. What’s worse, at the same time that many investors’ assets are hit by an inflationary spike, their liabilities or living costs tend to rise. Such a double whammy can leave investors in a deep hole. 6/4/2010

Capital markets have come a long way from March 2009, and the global economic recovery seems increasingly sustainable—although risks remain. 4/29/2010

As capital markets wrapped up an impressive year, the economic recovery gathered momentum…and began to take on a different character. 1/28/2010

With some stability returning to the US housing market, we think this is the time to focus on the longer-term value opportunities the crisis has created. 12/21/2009

Evidence is growing that the global economy is beginning to recover, but the journey back from the depths of the recession will take time. 11/2/2009

The recent market rally brought some relief, but even as signs of an eventual economic recovery build, risks and uncertainty remain. Continued risk aversion creates the potential for attractive returns in many investments.  7/20/2009

Recent volatility in your clients' 529 accounts has them worried. Take a crash course in helping them through the tough times and position yourself as the "one" financial advisor clients turn to for perspective 4/24/2009

2008 was a devestating year, with economies, capital markets and investors under extreme duress. Near-term risks remain, but concerted government and central bank responses boost chances for a mid-to-late 2009 economic recovery. While investors wait for the horizon to clear, they can take heart in an investment landscape that will prove quite fertile in all but the most dire scenarios. 1/23/2009

The economic environment and capital markets are unsettled, but there’s a silver lining in newfound opportunities: when uncertainty rises, so do the potential rewards for taking risks in your portfolio. It may seem uncomfortable to stay in instead of moving out, but remaining on course with a globally diversified investment mix usually leaves investors better off. 7/17/2008

A team of AllianceBernstein researchers spent more than two years and interviewed more than 500 individuals to investigate how the world is likely to respond to threat of climate change in the next twenty years – and which companies and industries are likely to win or lose. This white paper summarizes their findings. 3/4/2008

The Wealth Strategies Monitor details the key investment decision making that occurred in the AllianceBernstein Wealth Strategies Funds during the quarter. The Monitor provides a review of each portfolio’s performance and provides our outlook for each of the major asset classes. 

Outlook on Retirement: New Insights on Planning and Personality is a summary of our recent nationwide survey about people’s attitudes towards retirement. The survey results have important implications for how financial advisors approach investors: People are often reluctant to seek advice, so advisors should make starting a retirement conversation as simple as possible—and avoid overloading clients with details. The planning process should embrace the person, not just the assets. 10/15/2007