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Setting ROAs for 2025: A guide for US corporate and public plans
How are pension plans adjusting their ROA assumptions? And how do those assumptions line up with our long-term capital market assumptions? Find out in this annual update.
What do the US election results mean for investors?
The US election results could have significant implications for the global economy and capital markets. Our panel of experts provides a thorough analysis of what happened and explores potential market impacts.
Trump win likely to accelerate macro trends already in motion
The US election results could have significant implications for the global economy and markets. To help you understand these changes, US Macro Strategist Mike Medeiros provides a thorough analysis and discusses the potential market impacts.
Monthly Asset Allocation Outlook
Wondering how to reposition your portfolio amid election-related uncertainty? Explore the latest monthly snapshot of our Multi-Asset Team’s asset class views.
Insurance Quick Takes: Navigating the Principles-Based Bond Definition Project
In our latest Insurance Quick Takes video, Tim Antonelli breaks down the NAIC’s Principles-Based Bond Definition (PBBD) project and implications for US insurers.
Why more corporate plans should pass on pension risk transfers
LDI Team Chair Amy Trainor explains why she believes a pension risk transfer may, in many cases, not be the best choice for fully funded plans from a cost/benefit standpoint.
Quarterly Market Review
A monthly update on equity, fixed income, currency, and commodity markets.
Monthly Market Review — September 2024
A monthly update on equity, fixed income, currency, and commodity markets.
Take it “ease”-y
Tim Antonelli, Head of Multi-Asset Strategy – Insurance and Portfolio Manager, explains why he thinks insurers should consider locking in current yields and sticking with global equity exposure.
Sahm rules are meant to be broken
Fed easing is finally here and fundamentals remain favorable. But what about that election? Members of our Investment Strategy & Solutions Group offer their outlook, including their latest views on equities, bonds, and commodities.
Monthly Market Review — August 2024
A monthly update on equity, fixed income, currency, and commodity markets.
Picture this: Our forecast in 7 charts
What should investors expect for the remainder of 2024? View a visual summary of our Investment Outlook in seven compelling charts.
Four investment perspectives amid a pivotal US election
How can investors reposition portfolios for a pivotal but highly unpredictable US elections? Nick Samouilhan explores potential avenues in conversation with three leading portfolio managers.
Insurance Quick Takes: US life insurers’ utilization of private placements
In our latest Insurance Quick Takes video, Tim Antonelli discusses research on US life insurers’ use of private placement investments, and shares observations for insurers globally.
Massive market sell-off: Justified or an overreaction?
What's behind the global market meltdown, and what should investors consider doing? Global Investment and Multi-Asset Strategist Nanette Abuhoff Jacobson shares her views.
Breaking concentration: big picture thinking with small-cap equities
How to overcome the risks associated with today's concentrated market? Investment Director John Mullins explores why small-cap equities could be part of the answer.
Ok, Boomer: How US generational wealth distribution could upend the economy and markets
Fixed Income Portfolio Manager Brij Khurana discusses the implications of US Baby Boomers' wealth concentration in the event of a market decline.
Ideas for navigating a new era
Explore our latest views on risks and opportunities across the global capital markets.
Multi-Asset Investment Outlook
To help think through the asset allocation outlook and implications for this year, we offer views from iStrat, our investment strategy and solutions group.
Divergence isn’t just about central bank policy
Divergence has implications for investors —and central bank divergence is only one of five ways to think about it.
Insurance Quick Takes: One regulator's view of geopolitics’ impact on the industry
In our latest Insurance Quick Takes video, Tim Antonelli, Head of Insurance Multi-Asset Strategy and Portfolio Manager, discusses why a recent stress test from a regulator could have implications for insurers across the globe.
Investing in “3D”: Forces shaping alternatives opportunities in 2024
Multi-Asset Strategists Adam Berger and Nick Samouilhan offer six ideas from the hedge fund and liquid alternatives investment space, from global macro to multi-strategy approaches.
Thriving or surviving? The state of the US consumer and the economic implications
Macro Strategist Juhi Dhawan examines the condition of the all-important consumer, including the outlook for spending, the effects of inflation and prevailing interest rates, and the consequences for the overall economy.
With the Fed on hold, is the case for bonds kaput?
Amid worries about sticky inflation, the market has scaled back its expectations for interest rate cuts this year. But even if rate cuts are on hold a while longer, members of our Multi-Asset Team still think investors should consider a move from cash to bonds.
Exploring active opportunities amid continued regime change
Head of Multi-Asset Strategy, APAC, Nick Samouilhan outlines why today's environment of dispersion, divergence and disruption offers potentially compelling opportunities for active investors.
Can hedge funds play the role?
How should investors select the most suitable types of hedge funds for specific roles? Members of our Investment Strategy & Solutions Group offer a simple and intuitive framework that can help.
Picking the right building blocks for a climate-aware portfolio
For asset owners integrating climate change into their multi-asset portfolios, members of our Investment Strategy & Solutions Group offer five important insights.
Risky business: Is now the time for surplus action?
Tim Antonelli, Head of Multi-Asset Strategy – Insurance and Portfolio Manager, considers insurers' renewed interest in risk assets and offers his views on areas that may be worth a closer look.
Trump 2.0: National security and investment themes
Our expert examines the geopolitical and investment implications of a potential second Trump presidency.
Do fundamentals support a risk-on tilt?
Surprisingly strong economic growth, declining inflation, easy financial conditions — can it get any better for markets? Members of our Investment Strategy & Solutions Group offer their outlook, including their latest views on equities, bonds, and commodities.
Insurance Quick Takes: What's next for CLO risk charges?
Tim Antonelli, Head of Insurance Multi-Asset Strategy and Portfolio Manager, breaks down the impact of recent US insurance regulatory developments on the CLO universe, and why this matters for U.S. insurers.
A blueprint for building climate-aware multi-asset portfolios
Members of our Investment Strategy & Solutions Group take a deep dive on the issues asset owners should consider when choosing climate-aware portfolio building blocks, from the evolving opportunity set to the active/passive decision.
Using defensive equities in a return-seeking portfolio: A factor framework for corporate plans
Members of our LDI and Fundamental Factor teams share their views on defensive equity investments, including their role in a plan's portfolio and the current environment for defensive factors.
Income: the hard worker in your portfolio deserves more credit
Income from cash is good but income from bonds is better. In a less certain macro environment, Alex King, Supriya Menon and John Mullins think the case for income only gets stronger. How can investors make the most of opportunities?
How to reposition for a new economic era?
In this short video, Macro Strategist John Butler outlines the key features of the new economic era we are now entering.
Facing the inflation dilemma head on
Inflation has already fallen much quicker than most expected. However, there are convincing reasons why inflation might be higher and more volatile going forward. What are the implications for asset allocation?
Insurance Quick Takes: IFRS S1 and S2: What's the impact to insurance investing?
Tim Antonelli, Head of Multi-Asset Strategy – Insurance, discusses the implications of two new sustainability reporting standards for global insurers, IFRS S1 and IFRS S2, and why it's not just IFRS filers that should pay attention.
Managing currency exposure in multi-asset portfolios: how to weigh the trade-offs and impact
Nick Samouilhan, Head of Multi-Asset Strategy – APAC, evaluates the trade-offs of different currency hedging approaches and offers a novel framework for gauging their potential portfolio impact.
Trends and transformation distilled: Our 2024 outlook in brief
Our experts explore investment opportunities and risks for the year ahead.
Top of Mind: The allocator’s checklist for 2024 and beyond
Head of Multi-Asset Strategy Adam Berger offers near- and longer-term ideas for allocators, including thoughts on areas where capital is scarce, alternatives may be attractive, and risks may bear watching.
Multi-Asset Market Outlook
To help think through the asset allocation outlook and implications for 2023, we offer views from iStrat, our investment strategy and solutions group
Navigating a volatile reality: three ideas for 2024 and beyond
2023 saw investors grapple with a new, more volatile reality. How should portfolios be positioned for opportunities and challenges in 2024?
Fork in the road: Slowdown or reacceleration ahead?
Markets seem to expect a much smoother ride in 2024, but are they too optimistic? Members of our Investment Strategy & Solutions Group offer their macro and market outlook, including their latest views on equities, bonds, and commodities.
Why income-seeking investors need to look across asset classes
Income plays an even more crucial role in portfolios than many of us realise, contributing a significant portion of returns for multi-asset portfolios. But with cash rates at around 5%, the world of income has changed. This should prompt investors to take a fresh look across asset classes to see where opportunities lie.
Learning to love (or live with) a late-cycle environment
Are we actually in a late-cycle environment and, if so, how should allocators respond? Head of Multi-Asset Strategy Adam Berger offers guidance, including on portfolio positioning, big cycle bets, and security selection.
Rebalancing a multi-asset portfolio: A guide to the choices and trade-offs
Many investors wrestle with portfolio rebalancing decisions, particularly in volatile environments. In this paper, members of our Investment Strategy Team argue for a well-structured rebalancing policy and share research on different approaches and common implementation considerations.
2024 Insurance Outlook: Position portfolios for the unexpected
Tim Antonelli offers two critical ideas for insurers' 2024 investment planning: doubling down on diversification and rethinking risk, including geopolitical and default risk.
The growing importance of supply chain transparency
Head of Sustainable Investment Wendy Cromwell explains why supply chains remain a key investment risk and details related research areas for our SI team in 2024.
Full speed ahead: China’s race to implement AI
Our experts examine market implications of China's AI expedition.
How geopolitics and the energy transition may reshape global trade
We explore the potential near- and longer-term market effects of deteriorating US/China relations, coupled with the shift toward a low-carbon economy.
Getting Real: China looks beyond real estate for economic success
Our experts explore signs of an improving macro picture in China.
Liability-hedging diversifiers: What’s on your pension’s playlist?
Corporate pensions moving closer to their end state may benefit from more diversified liability-hedging allocations. To help, LDI Team Chair Amy Trainor offers a liability-hedging diversifiers “playlist” — a set of asset classes and strategies that may harmonize well with a variety of objectives, from downside mitigation to long-term outperformance versus long corporate bonds.
Early 2024 resolutions: Enjoy the yield but be smart with your surplus
What should insurers expect from markets as we approach the end of the year? Tim Antonelli, Head of Multi-Asset Strategy – Insurance and Portfolio Manager, offers his views and identifies areas that may be worth a closer look.
Insurance Quick Takes: A look at the future landscape of US insurance climate risk oversight
Tim Antonelli, Head of Insurance Multi-Asset Strategy and Portfolio Manager, discusses the main points of a recent report published by the Federal Insurance Office (FIO), and the importance and impact to US insurers and insurance climate risk oversight.
Is bad news for the economy actually good news for markets?
While it has taken longer than expected, higher interest rates are starting to take their toll on the global economy and the "bad news is good news" market narrative could be changing. Members of our Investment Strategy team offer their macro and market outlook, including their latest views on equities, bonds, and commodities.
What if US wealth inequality reverses?
Our experts examine the role of wealth inequality in the US economy and the potential investment implications of a reversal in that dynamic.
Income investing in multi-asset portfolios: Tipping the balance in your favour
Income can play a crucial role in the pursuit of investment objectives over time, but research from our iStrat Team argues for a balanced approach to asset allocation decisions given the potential trade-offs between income and capital return, risk, and portfolio diversification.
Three themes (and what they mean) for income investors
With several macro crosscurrents at play, Portfolio Manager Peter Wilke suggests that income-oriented investors not lose sight of the “big picture” in their quest for yield.
Role, risk, and residual alpha: A framework for manager research
With many asset owners revisiting their strategic asset allocation and considering changes in their investment line-up, Director of Manager Research Kat Price and Head of Multi-Asset Strategy Adam Berger offer their views on manager selection best practices.
Insurance Quick Takes: Understanding the latest shifts in mortality and longevity
Tim Antonelli, Head of Multi-Asset Strategy – Insurance, discusses recent trends and patterns on mortality and longevity, why this topic is important for global insurers of all types and sizes today, and potential opportunities.
How to interpret the Bank of Japan’s latest policy shift
We analyse the wide-ranging investment implications of the Bank of Japan's latest policy shift.
Core fixed income: Stop me if you’ve heard this one before
Head of Multi-Asset Strategy – Insurance and Portfolio Manager Tim Antonelli updates insurers on the status of the market today, shares what he believes they can expect for the rest of the year, and identifies areas that may be worth a closer look.
A test for the global economy
What are the similarities and differences between the US regional banking crisis and 2008's global financial crisis? How likely is a recession? Should investors be focusing on value or growth? In this podcast, Macro Strategist Nanette Abuhoff Jacobson shares her interpretation of where the economy is headed, outlining where the risks and opportunities may lie for investors in the next 12 months.
How a thematic approach can help harness change within portfolios
Multi-Asset Strategist Supriya Menon and Investment Director Andrew Sharp-Paul discuss why a thematic approach can help harness change within portfolios against a structurally different macroeconomic backdrop.
Multi-Asset Outlook: A recession is looming…or is it?
The economy has largely shrugged off the banking crisis and other concerns this year, while riding positive sentiment driven by AI enthusiasm and a possible soft landing. Members of our Investment Strategy team offer their macro and market outlook for the second half of the year, including their latest views on equities, bonds, and commodities.
How to weather the storm: A roadmap for more resilient portfolios
As we face a new era of elevated market and cycle volatility, Co-Head of Investment Strategy Natasha Brook-Walters assesses how asset owners can ensure that their portfolios are up for the challenge.
Insurance Quick Takes: Unpacking potential impacts of newly proposed NAIC regulations
Tim Antonelli, Head of Multi-Asset Strategy – Insurance, analyzes the potential impact for US insurers of a recent proposal that could allow the NAIC's security valuation office to override ratings of investments.
Keep your spread and earn on it too? The case for intermediate credit
Amid heightened volatility and an uncertain macro environment, members of our LDI Team see opportunity for corporate plans in the intermediate credit market.
Mind the liquidity (and cost) gap: Revisiting a plan’s hedge-ratio approach
Members of our LDI Team take a fresh look at the process of setting and managing liability hedge ratio targets, including liquidity considerations that are top of mind today and the implementation toolkit.
Is your asset allocation ready for the realities of climate change?
Our Investment Strategy Team shares key findings from the research behind their climate-aware strategic asset allocation (SAA) approach, including challenges and trade-offs that asset owners should understand.
Time for a new playbook on bonds
Is it time to add to fixed income allocations? Multi-Asset Strategist Adam Berger and Fixed Income Strategist Amar Reganti offer their views, as well as thoughts on specific areas of opportunity.
Is the structural case for inflation still intact?
Even if inflation cools in the coming months, members of our Investment Strategy team expect it to be "stickier" over the long term. Find out how that might impact asset allocation decisions.
EM equities: Can they prove the doubters wrong?
Multi-Asset Strategist Adam Berger offers six reasons that EM equity performance could be much more compelling in the decade ahead, from attractive valuations to economic tailwinds to mean reversion in the US dollar.
The alpha equation: Balancing active risk sources in multi-asset portfolios
Members of our iStrat Team share their research on the process of deciding how much active risk to take at the asset class and security levels in pursuit of alpha objectives. They also offer a step-by-step framework for implementing the research findings.
Today’s sweet spot for yield, the growing role of alts
Insurance Multi-Asset Strategist Tim Antonelli provides his latest multi-asset views for insurers, with an emphasis on the value of core fixed income in today's environment.
Three macro assumptions that could be just plain wrong
Fixed Income Portfolio Manager Brij Khurana offers his non-consensus take on three entrenched, but potentially flawed, beliefs in today's market environment.
Win by losing? The surprising truth about long-term active management
Research shows that even the best managers have had to bounce back from periods of underperformance. For asset owners who've invested time and effort to find these managers, the data argues for cultivating a long-term mindset.
Designing a climate-aware strategic asset allocation
Members of our Investment Strategy Team explain how they incorporate climate metrics into their asset allocation optimization process. They also discuss implementation — the choice of specific climate-aware building blocks and strategies to express the desired asset allocation.
Lessons from 2008: Stress testing portfolios in today’s market
While very different from 2008, the current market environment makes a strong case for portfolio stress testing. Gregg Thomas, Co-Head of Investment Strategy, offers suggestions for improving the process, including assessing factor positioning and reducing recency bias.
How will asset prices be affected by climate risk? Members of our Investment Strategy team explain how they're seeking to answer that question with their new climate-aware capital market assumptions.
Using market-implied regimes to help build more resilient portfolios
Markets may fluctuate between different regimes, but how exactly should those regimes be defined? Our iStrat Team offers research on their market behavior-based approach and explains how it may aid in constructing portfolios that are better able to withstand the ups and downs of different environments.
On to the next crisis: Glimpsing a post-SVB world
Amid the turmoil in the US banking sector, Global Investment Strategist Nanette Abuhoff Jacobson suggests investors consider pivoting to a “risk-management mode” that favors higher-quality assets. (Published 14 March 2023)
SVB collapse: What are the implications?
Multi-Asset Strategist Supriya Menon shares her latest perspectives on the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank Financial Group (SVB) and the unfolding implications for investors. (Published 14 March 2023)
More currency volatility ahead: Which hedges could help?
To help investors begin to think about elevated currency risk, as well as opportunities to generate alpha through active currency management, members of our iStrat Team offer an overview of hedging approaches and their potential tradeoffs.
The churning tides of portfolio liquidity: How to avoid being left high and dry
Markets have sent asset owners some strong reminders of the need to think about liquidity risk across a portfolio and to plan for uncertainty. To help, Multi-Asset Strategist Adam Berger proposes a framework based on the intended uses and sources of liquidity.
Debt and dysfunction in Washington: The US hits the ceiling (again)
Global Investment Strategist Nanette Abuhoff Jacobson talks to Macro Strategist Mike Medeiros about the US debt-ceiling showdown and considers its potential investment implications.
EM evolution: New paths in equity portfolio construction
Multi-Asset Strategist Adam Berger offers a framework for structuring EM equity portfolios, with a focus on "EM 3.0" — differentiated active strategies that have less reference to cap-weighted benchmarks and may be more diversifying in a portfolio.
The denominator effect: Thoughts on the rise in private equity allocations
The sharp drop in public markets has left many asset owners with above-target exposure to private assets, raising a number of governance questions. Multi-Asset Strategist Adam Berger considers the likely responses and their potential pros and cons.
An allocator’s playbook for 2023
Natasha Brook-Walters, co-head of iStrat, examines the three objectives allocators may wish to focus on in 2023.
Multi-Asset Outlook — A rocky road to recovery in 2023
Markets may be jumping the gun when it comes to expectations for a policy pivot and the likely risk-asset rewards. Members of our Investment Strategy team still see bumps in the economic road, though their outlook has brightened a bit when it comes to China and other emerging markets.
Adding thematic equity investments to a multi-asset portfolio: An allocator’s handbook
Thematic investing may add a powerful return engine to portfolios, but allocators sometimes struggle with implementation decisions. Members of our Investment Strategy Team offer a framework for thinking about allocation size, strategy selection, and performance evaluation.
LDI in 2023: Ten questions corporate plan sponsors are asking
Members of our LDI Team address a range of topics that US corporate plans will be thinking about in the coming year, from the investment implications of pension accounting changes to the role of alternatives in a return-seeking portfolio.
2023 Insurance Outlook: Resolve to solve with a restocked toolkit
Multi-Asset Strategist Tim Antonelli and Insurance Strategist Max Davies share four actionable ideas designed to help insurers successfully navigate 2023.
Pivoting from innovation and growth to stability and value
In a more volatile world, stability may take priority over innovation, and that, explains Multi-Asset Strategist Adam Berger, would tend to favor value stocks over growth stocks.
In a new era for interest rates, can hedge funds fill the role of fixed income?
Hedge funds could be valuable building blocks for a fixed income substitute portfolio, but how should the portfolio be constructed? Members of our Fundamental Factor Team share their views.
Why Europe could surprise in 2023
Eoin O’Callaghan and John Butler discuss the contrasting prospects of the Euro Area and the UK and why 2023 could bring positive surprises in the region.
Opportunity in disguise: Why bad news may be good for alternatives in 2023
Multi-Asset Strategists Nick Samouilhan and Adam Berger explain how alternative investments may help allocators make tailwinds out of macro and market headwinds in the year ahead.
Multi-Asset Outlook — Higher rates for longer: What does it mean for markets?
For central banks, the inflation fight is on, but the policy and market responses will vary in the coming months. Nanette Abuhoff Jacobson and Supriya Menon discuss the implications for equities, bonds, and commodities.
Pivot points: Five portfolio positioning ideas for the new market regime
Multi-Asset Strategist Adam Berger looks at five ways in which the world may be very different in the coming decade and how they could influence the next wave of investment winners.
A new economic era: Why inflation, volatility, and cycles are back
Macro Strategist John Butler argues that a seismic global shift is underway that will disrupt the macro dynamics of the past two decades, challenging long-held investment assumptions.
Investors seeking a sound decumulation strategy must consider a host of variables, including risks that weren't on the radar when they were accumulating assets.
The tense Ukraine crisis has brought the US-Russia standoff to a head: Now what? Geopolitical Strategist Thomas Mucha argues this is all part of a global geopolitical pattern — “great-power” competition — that makes the Russian threat particularly dangerous.
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