November 16, 2020 DOL’s Revised DC Investment Rule Removes Potential ESG Sticking Point by Jennifer DeLong, Michelle Dunstan The Department of Labor’s final rule on investment selection for DC plans left out language on ESG-themed investments. It’s a change that erases some confusion and seems to acknowledge that ESG and financial considerations are inseparable. Equities, Fixed Income, Multi-Asset, Policy & Regulation, Responsible Investing/ESG Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
November 09, 2020 Intangible Assets Provide Tangible Defenses for Equities by Kent Hargis, Sammy Suzuki, Chris Marx Defensive equities are usually found in sectors that have withstood market shocks, such as utilities and real estate. But as COVID-19 shakes up investment conventions, companies with intangible assets are being more appreciated for their volatility cushion. Asset Allocation, Equities, Invest for Growth, Multi-Asset, Volatility Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
September 10, 2020 For Multi-Asset Investors, Defense Is Now a Team Effort by Daniel J. Loewy, Vinod Chathlani Sovereign bonds have long been the prime defensive asset for multi-asset portfolios. But in today’s extraordinary market conditions, should investors make more extensive use of other defensive choices? Asset Allocation, Multi-Asset Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
August 25, 2020 Is There Opportunity in COVID-19 Valuation Dislocations? by Daniel J. Loewy, Caglasu Altunkopru Capital markets have rebounded from their COVID-19-induced lows, but impacted industries have lagged substantially. That pessimism may be overdone in some cases, creating opportunities for multi-asset investors to exploit dislocations. Asset Allocation, Coronavirus, Income, Multi-Asset Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
July 23, 2020 Income Assets Are Down but Not Out by Karen Watkin Higher-income assets underperformed in the second-quarter rebound. But that also means there’s pent-up potential in income-generating assets that may begin to show in later stages of the recovery. Coronavirus, Low-Yield Environment, Multi-Asset, Volatility Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
July 17, 2020 The Ripple Effect: COVID-19 and Multi-Asset Portfolio Construction by Caglasu Altunkopru In addition to its tragic human toll, COVID-19 triggered the sharpest recession in recent history, and efforts to control its spread have transformed the way we work, the way we shop and how we connect with others. We think these changes will last awhile—with implications for asset allocation. Asset Allocation, Coronavirus, Multi-Asset Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
May 29, 2020 Don’t Fear Government Bonds in Multi-Asset Portfolios by Sharat Kotikalpudi Today’s bond yields are extremely low, and some multi-asset investors may be struggling to rationalize exposure to interest-rate driven assets such as government bonds. But past experience suggests that they can still be effective diversifiers over the near term, even at low yield levels. Low-Yield Environment, Multi-Asset Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
May 07, 2020 Systematic Target-Date Rebalancing: Taking Emotion out of the Equation by Christopher Nikolich, Elena Wang The turmoil in the first quarter of 2020 reinforced the importance of rebalancing in target-date design. As we see it, a finely tuned, systematic approach can help keep emotions in check and risk under control—benefits that translate to many types of multi-asset solutions. Asset Allocation, Multi-Asset, Plan Design, Target-Date Solutions, Volatility Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
April 06, 2020 Don’t Panic! Bear Market Communication Tips for DC Plan Sponsors by Jennifer DeLong The bear market is challenging defined contribution (DC) plan sponsors to reinforce timeless investing principles while also conveying new rules that bring relief to participants. Good communication practices are a key ingredient to achieving success in both these areas. Coronavirus, Multi-Asset, Plan Design, Target-Date Solutions, Volatility Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
March 31, 2020 Big Market Selloff? Stay Dynamic With Risk Positioning by Sharat Kotikalpudi As risk assets tumbled in late February and March, it intensified the focus on risk management: How can multi-asset strategies defend against turbulence while positioning for an eventual rebound? The answer: Be ready to adapt—and to do it quickly. Asset Allocation, Coronavirus, Multi-Asset, Volatility Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
January 20, 2020 Five Multi-Asset Strategies for 2020’s Challenges by Daniel J. Loewy, Karen Watkin The last decade produced great performance across most asset classes. But in the 2020s, we expect investment market returns will be lower and risk harder to manage. Looking forward, a disciplined multi-asset approach will be especially valuable to identify opportunities and help mitigate setbacks. Asset Allocation, Low-Yield Environment, Multi-Asset Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
October 21, 2019 Investors Need Income, Not Excess Risk by Morgan Harting With government bonds providing too little income, investors need to diversify credit exposures and include other credit-like investments to achieve their income needs...but without reaching for yield or taking excess risk. Multi-asset portfolios can help. Multi-Asset Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
October 16, 2019 Five Lessons Packaged Target-Date Solutions Can Learn from Customization by Jennifer DeLong, Andrew Stumacher As defined contribution (DC) plan sponsors know, the US Department of Labor recommends considering both packaged and custom target-date strategies when choosing a solution. As we see it, packaged solutions can learn a few things from fully customized target-date solutions, which are generally used by large and megasize plan sponsors. Asset Allocation, Multi-Asset, Target-Date Solutions Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks