May 18, 2017 Don’t Wait for Rough Markets to Take a Look at Alternatives by Christine Johnson, Richard Brink Volatility is remarkably low today, but it’s not likely to stay that way. Alternatives have the potential to provide diversification and reduce risk when markets get stormy again. But what’s the best way to design an alternatives allocation? Alternatives Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
February 21, 2017 Life After Beta: Are You Asking the Right Questions About Alternatives? by Richard Brink, Christine Johnson Investors have had mixed experiences with alternative investments lately, as the market landscape has made it hard for managers’ skills to shine. It’s time to ask some pointed questions to get the right fit. Alternatives Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
February 02, 2017 The Investing Landscape in 2017: Fertile Ground for Alternatives? by Marc Gamsin, Greg Outcalt, Greg Outcalt Success for most alternative strategies depends largely on producing returns from alpha—sources beyond broad market movements. It’s been harder to do that in recent years, but that could change in 2017. Alternatives Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
January 18, 2017 Stripping the Illusion of Tax Efficiency from Index Funds by Paul Robertson Promoters of index funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) often argue that their investments are far more tax-efficient than active funds. But that’s just an accounting illusion—and it would be dispelled if President Trump succeeds in eliminating the step-up in basis for securities in an estate. Alternatives Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
January 11, 2017 Building a Better Path: Seven Things Investors Need to Know for 2017 by Richard Brink Rising volatility and yields. Toppy valuations. Global policy uncertainty. To handle these bumps in the road, investors need to build a better return path focused on strong up/down capture. Further, we see seven key themes affecting that path ahead. Alternatives, Equities, Fixed Income Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
January 10, 2017 CRTS: An Income Diversifier Worth Knowing by Erin Bigley With today’s environment of low and potentially rising yields, the hunt is on for income—and as many diverse sources of it as investors can find. Credit risk transfer securities help answer that search. Alternatives, Fixed Income Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
November 09, 2016 Addressing Post-Election Volatility by Martin Atkin Yesterday’s US election has provoked a sharp spike in volatility across most of the world’s capital markets. But during bouts of such volatility, investors should question what part of today’s political influence on markets is sentimental rather than truly fundamental. Alternatives, Equities, Fixed Income, Policy & Regulation Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
September 27, 2016 Will Mortgage Bonds Be the Next Disaster—Again? by Gershon Distenfeld, Michael S. Canter For some investors, any mention of US mortgages takes them back to the dark days of 2008. But today’s mortgage bonds aren’t the devils some market participants make them out to be. Alternatives, Fixed Income Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
September 26, 2016 Alpha and Beta: Getting the Balance Right with Alternatives by Richard Brink Gaining more in up markets than you lose in down markets is at the heart of success in alternative investments. It’s not magic—the secret is an effective blend of market and nonmarket returns. Alternatives Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
September 12, 2016 Can We Afford a Housing Boom? by Matthew D. Bass, Michael S. Canter The US housing market is healthy, but some market participants worry it may be starting to heat up too much. We think that’s a mistake—and an opportunity. That’s because mortgages today have little in common with the risky loans made before the housing crisis. Alternatives, Fixed Income Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
July 14, 2016 Cash Flow or Liquidity? Unlocking Private Credit by Matthew D. Bass Investors worried about locking up their capital for too long in private-credit investments may be missing the big picture: the higher-yielding cash flow they receive via private-credit distributions is, in fact, a form of liquidity. Alternatives, Fixed Income Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
June 22, 2016 Long/Short Credit Hangs Out Its Own Shingle by Christine Johnson Once tucked away in the nontraditional bond category, long/short credit funds are finally moving into the spotlight. Should they be a part of investors’ fixed-income allocation? Alternatives, Fixed Income Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
May 25, 2016 The Decline of Central Bank Omnipotence by Eric Peters One big trend shift is shaping markets and raising the stakes on volatility: the decline of central bank omnipotence. Alternatives Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks