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Biden 2.0: National security and investment themes
The geopolitical and investment implications of a potential second Biden term.
5
min
Article
2025-04-30
The immigration surge: Political challenge, economic blessing?
Macro Strategist Juhi Dhawan considers the impact of rising immigration, a top issue in this year's US elections, on growth, interest rates, and the labor market.
4
min
Article
2025-04-30
FOMC: Stable policy amid market volatility
The Fed is holding steady amid market turmoil. See our quick notes on the FOMC's March policy statement, forecasts, and the Fed chair's press conference.
Quick Take
2025-03-31
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.
Video
2025-03-31
Will proposed corporate governance reforms help to narrow the “Korea discount”?
Could South Korea's Corporate Value-up Program help to narrow the so-called “Korea discount” and build on the momentum gathering pace elsewhere across Asia to improve corporate governance and shareholder returns?
Quick Take
2025-03-31
Agency MBS key questions for 2024
Is there room for mortgage spreads to tighten further? Brian Conroy and Joseph Marvan examine this and seven other questions that will be significant for the agency MBS market in 2024.
Quick Take
2025-03-31
Key factors to monitor in European equities
Macro Strategist Nicolas Wylenzek assesses the longer-term prospects of European equity markets through the prism of five key factors.
Article
2025-03-31
No bulls in the China shop?
John Mullins, Irmak Surenkok and Steven Ye assess the investment debate surrounding China's prolonged underperformance and outline three investment ideas for active investors to consider.
Article
2025-03-31
The Trump/Biden rematch: Market implications of unprecedented policy divergence
Macro Strategist Juhi Dhawan discusses six key areas of policy debate in this year's US election that she expects will matter most to markets, from the tax and spending plans to trade and geopolitics.
Article
2025-03-31
Is the US economy really that different since COVID?
US economists have been touting the resilience of the post-COVID economic rebound. Brij Khurana dissects several key economic indicators to see what's really changed since 2019.
Article
2025-03-31
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.
Video
2024-11-30
Asia Pacific Investment Forum 2024: Key takeaways
During our flagship Asia Pacific Investment Forum 2024, Wellington experts assessed the evolving investment opportunities in today’s world of disruption and change.
Video
2025-02-28
Too much focus on Fed, not enough on fiscal
Current US fiscal and monetary policy stances argue for risk taking in fixed income.
Article
2025-02-07
Top 5 fixed income ideas for 2024
With central banks set to pivot to accommodative policy, and elevated yields still prevailing, we think fixed income offers compelling opportunities. Here we share our top five ideas.
Quick Take
2025-02-28
Emerging markets debt: resilience in the face of adversity
Our expert discusses why she is positive on the outlook for emerging markets debt, even though growth will likely slow.
Quick Take
2025-01-31
No more free lunch: Impact of higher interest rates on private equity strategies
We explain what the direct and indirect rate exposure of buyouts, venture capital, growth equity, secondaries, and fund-of-funds mean for investors.
Article
2025-01-31
Trends and transformation: Ideas for 2024
Explore our latest views on risks and opportunities across the global capital markets as we look ahead to 2024.
Article
2024-06-30
The shifting liquidity landscape: What’s at stake?
The beginning of the end could be in sight for the Federal Reserve’s quantitative tightening (QT) program. US Macro Strategist Juhi Dhawan considers the Fed's next steps and what they could mean for banks, liquidity, and markets broadly.
Quick Take
2025-01-31
Bizarro World: Could 2024 be the opposite of 2023?
Fixed Income Portfolio Manager Brij Khurana details the dynamics that may upend investor expectations of a repeat of 2023 this year.
Quick Take
2025-01-17
Why structural change in Germany may impact investors globally
Macro Strategists John Butler and Eoin O’Callaghan discuss why they believe the structural changes currently underway in Germany will impact investors globally.
Article
2025-01-31
Will a “Goldilocks” economy be just right for equity markets?
We provide an outlook on the ongoing shift to new investment regime, and the market segments that we expect will most heavily influence global equity performance in the coming year.
Article
2024-12-31
What route is right in emerging markets investing?
How can investors find the most compelling opportunities within emerging market equities? Simon Henry and Dáire Dunne explain why they think targeting the economic development opportunity may provide a roadmap for success.
Article
2024-12-31
Fed’s projections yielded mixed results this year — what’s in store for 2024?
Our Fed watcher opines on 2023 policy and looks ahead to 2024.
Quick Take
2024-03-31
Should investors prepare for a rate hike in Japan?
Investment Directors Marco Giordano and Masahiko Loo discuss why a rate rise in Japan may occur sooner than markets expect.
Quick Take
2024-12-31
Full speed ahead: China’s race to implement AI
Our experts examine market implications of China's AI expedition.
Quick Take
2024-11-30
Beyond China: what does the rest of the EM equity world have to offer?
For investors contemplating a separate allocation to EM ex-China equities, members of our iStrat Team share their research on the composition of the opportunity set, the growing divergence in the behavior of EM ex-China equities and Chinese equities, and the long-term market outlook.
Article
2025-11-30
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.
Article
2024-11-30
2024: A year of intensifying macro regime change?
John Butler and Eoin O’Callaghan explore why 2024 could be a year of intensifying macro regime change and what it means for investors.
Article
2024-11-30
Look below the surface: A contrarian view on China equities
Equity expert, Ben Chen, dives into China's murky investment landscape.
Quick Take
2024-05-31
China fixed income: Dislocations create opportunities in this large and diverse market
Hear from our experts as they uncover new fixed income opportunities in China.
Article
2024-11-30
The US economy in 2024: A tale of transition
Our US macro expert sees changes in consumer and investment spending in the coming year, and highlights what she'll be watching for in terms of policy, politics, and profit margins.
Article
2024-06-30
Getting Real: China looks beyond real estate for economic success
Our experts explore signs of an improving macro picture in China.
Article
2024-11-30
Have the Fed’s recent comments just provided a tailwind for agency MBS?
Fixed Income Portfolio Manager Brij Khurana explains why the market may be missing an important nuance in the Fed's focus on financial conditions.
Article
2024-11-30
Securitized debt: Strategies for navigating emerging cracks in consumers’ financial health
Our expert highlights reasons for deteriorating consumer financial health and explores strategies for mitigating risk in securitized asset-backed securities.
Quick Take
2024-11-15
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.
Video
2024-10-31
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.
Article
2024-09-30
The “cleanest dirty shirt” now has too many stains
Fixed Income Portfolio Manager posits that US fiscal profligacy will change the game for asset allocators.
Quick Take
2024-09-30
Shareholder activism in Japan: Integrating ESG within the investment process
In the final article within our series on shareholder activism in Japan, ESG Analyst Soo Ho Jung shares how the Japan equity team integrates ESG to help realize value for investors.
Quick Take
2024-09-30
Long/short investing in European equities' growing dispersion
We explore how growing dispersion in European equity markets is driving opportunities for long/short investors, fueled by structurally higher inflation, changing market leadership, and a renewed focus on valuation.
Article
2024-09-30
Fed not yet willing to declare victory on inflation
We think the Fed is done raising rates for this cycle, despite the likelihood that they are being overly optimistic about inflation. Read to find out why.
Quick Take
2024-03-31
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.
Article
2024-08-31
Why the change of direction in Germany warrants close attention
Macro Strategist Nicolas Wylenzek assesses the shifts underway in Germany and Europe more broadly, including the recent surge in the far right's popularity and the challenges associated with the energy transition.
Article
2024-09-30
Public CRE debt — Risk, opportunity, or both?
Our experts explore the implications of the ongoing stress in the public CRE debt, or commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS), space for investors and analyze risks and opportunities for ratings-constrained insurers.
Quick Take
2024-09-30
US regional banking sector update
We explore how banking regulation and legislation could impact US regional banks, including highlighting the potential for M&A activity and for dispersion to drive long/short opportunities.
Article
2024-08-31
Reasons for optimism about Indian equities
Our experts explain why, despite criticisms that Indian equities trade at higher valuations today than they have historically, they may have the potential to help drive total returns over time.
Quick Take
2024-08-31
After the US downgrade: Thoughts on public debt, bond yields, and Fed policy
In the wake of the US debt downgrade by Fitch, Macro Strategist Juhi Dhawan explains what worries her most about the nation's debt situation and considers the impact on the term premium and the Fed’s plans.
Quick Take
2024-08-31
Why cash won’t cut it for long: The case for bonds
Global Investment and Multi-Asset Strategist Nanette Abuhoff Jacobson and Investment Strategy Analyst Patrick Wattiau explore the relative potential benefits of bonds versus cash.
Quick Take
2024-08-31
Commercial property values shrinking? No problem for big cities
We analyze the impact of declining office property values and outline the reasons why they believe large cities should be able to weather the storm of shrinking commercial property value.
Quick Take
2024-08-31
What AI could mean for fixed income
Fixed Income Portfolio Manager Brij Khurana details the potential effects of artificial intelligence on the fixed income market.
Quick Take
2024-08-31
Seven observations on the latest US/China executive order
Geopolitical Strategist Thomas Mucha shares his analysis of the recent Biden administration executive order, which aims to restrict investment into certain sectors in China, and details the potential investment implications.
Quick Take
2024-08-31
How would emerging markets weather a “standard” recession?
Macro Strategist Gillian Edgeworth explores the potential impact of a developed market recession on emerging markets.
Quick Take
2024-08-31
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.
Quick Take
2024-08-31
Shareholder activism in Japan: How our engagement approach drives value
Equity Portfolio Manager Katsuhiro Iwai introduces the Japan equity investment team's approach to engagement, sharing a number of successful recent case studies.
Quick Take
2024-08-31
US loses its AAA rating (again)
US Macro Strategist Michael Medeiros analyzes Fitch's recent downgrade of US credit quality and explores the bigger issues at play.
Quick Take
2024-08-31
Chair Powell maintains optionality
Fixed Income Analyst Caroline Casavant shares what she thinks matters most for investors in light of the latest interest-rate hike from the Fed.
Quick Take
2024-07-31
Bank loans remain attractive despite macroeconomic uncertainty
Our experts believe that bank loans currently offer attractive levels of income and have already priced in an overly bearish macroeconomic view.
Quick Take
2024-07-31
The great American labor shortage: Causes, consequences, and solutions
Shifting demographics suggest that US labor markets will remain tight in years to come, with major implications for income inequality, investment spending, and government policy.
Article
2024-07-31
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.
Article
2024-07-31
State of the credit markets: Does cash rule everything around us?
Fixed Income Portfolio Manager Brij Khurana outlines the state of the credit market today, compares historical periods of quantitative easing, and warns credit investors of cash scarcity in the near future.
Quick Take
2024-06-30
Asia Tech: Building the technology for everything, everywhere, all at once
Yash Patodia articulates the investment opportunities within generative AI and mixed reality - two themes that are supercharging the tech industry. He outlines how Asia is the bedrock of the innovation and where he believes the world’s future growth will be.
Video
2024-07-31
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.
Video
2024-06-30
Investing in the age of great-power competition
As competition between great powers intensifies, a new global order is taking shape. Geopolitical Strategist Thomas Mucha explores the investment implications of a more fragmented and fractious world.
Quick Take
2024-06-30
European equities: cyclically challenged but structurally supported
Macro Strategist Nicolas Wylenzek discusses why, despite cyclical challenges, European equities may be in the best structural position that they have been in for years.
Article
2024-06-30
Chinese equities: Pockets of strength for patient stock pickers
Portfolio manager Bo Meunier explores how China’s recovery may be more modest than headline numbers suggest and why, as a stock picker, she remains constructive.
2024-06-30
Fed skips along the path to a pause
Jeremy Forster analyzes the Federal Reserve's decision to pause its interest-rate hiking cycle, explains why he believes it could be an extended pause, and shares the potential implications for fixed income markets.
Quick Take
2024-06-30
Activism – History and evolution in Japan
Investment Specialist Toshiki Izumi examines the history of shareholder activism in Japan, with particular emphasis on the differences between current and historical attitudes toward activism.
Quick Take
2024-06-30
When the US sneezes, does the world still catch a cold?
Macro Strategist John Butler discusses the growing potential for cyclical and monetary policy divergence, despite markets pricing for the contrary, and assesses what it means for investors.
Article
2024-05-31
Europe/US divergence: the ECB has further to go
How far will Europe diverge from the US? Macro Strategist Eoin O’Callaghan sees several reasons sustaining this growing divergence.
Article
2024-06-30
A quiet bull market in EM local debt?
Brian Garvey illustrates the recent strength of emerging markets local debt following an extended period of underperformance.
Quick Take
2024-06-30
Inflation loosens its grip, but bank turmoil could put the squeeze on US growth
US Macro Strategist Juhi Dhawan weighs the benefits of disinflation for consumers and companies against the risks of a credit crunch brought on by the recent bank crisis.
Article
2024-05-31
Asia: A growth story with longer-term momentum
Is China’s recovery already running out of steam? Macro Strategist Santiago Millán assesses the outlook for China and Asia and sees longer-term momentum for growth.
Article
2024-06-30
The “money illusion” economy: Misplaced faith in markets?
Fixed Income Portfolio Manager Brij Khurana shares a skeptical view of US Federal Reserve policy, his assessment of the current market backdrop, and his view of what the future could hold.
Article
2024-06-30
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.
Article
2024-05-31
Have you looked at Brazilian equities lately?
Equity Research Analyst David Reid believes now is an opportune time for EM equity investors to consider implementing or augmenting portfolio allocations to Brazilian stocks.
Quick Take
2024-05-31
US debt ceiling back in focus: The context matters
US Macro Strategist Mike Medeiros shares his latest thoughts on the US debt-ceiling standoff, including its potential outcomes and implications.
Quick Take
2024-05-31
Will emerging Asia leapfrog the energy transition?
Decarbonizing while maintaining economic growth presents tremendous challenges for developing countries in Asia. Is technological innovation the solution?
Article
2024-05-31
Did the Fed just make a policy error?
Did the Fed just make a policy error? All things considered, Fixed Income Portfolio Manager Jeremy Forster thinks the answer is yes. Learn why and what the implications could be.
Quick Take
2024-05-31
India equity's improving risk/return tradeoff
This is not your grandfather's India equity market. Equity Portfolio Manager Niraj Bhagwat and Investment Director Philip Brooks explain why and back their argument with risk/return data.
Quick Take
2024-04-30
Is the long-awaited change in Japan’s fortunes finally materialising?
Portfolio Manager Dan Maguire explores why Japan may finally be exiting deflation and assesses the opportunities this structural change could create for small- and mid-cap equities.
Article
2024-04-30
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.
Quick Take
2024-04-30
European stocks: Regime change and the valuation gap
Portfolio Manager Dirk Enderlein explains why we may see more dispersion in European stocks in coming years and why there may be greater clarity about which stocks will be the new market leaders.
Quick Take
2024-04-30
US banking system: Three pressing questions
Equity Strategist Andrew Heiskell asks three questions investors ought to ask when it comes to the recent US banking system volatility.
Quick Take
2024-04-30
Emerging markets health care: Ready for takeoff?
Global Industry Analyst Sue Su shares her sanguine outlook on the health care sector in emerging markets, especially in China, which represents the largest opportunity in this space.
Quick Take
2024-03-31
Will higher rates sap US consumer spending?
Higher interest rates have increased borrowing costs. Could a consumer-led US recession be looming? Fixed Income Portfolio Manager Kyra Fecteau sees three factors that may help mitigate the impact.
Quick Take
2024-03-31
Analysing the bright outlook in Asia tech
Global Industry Analyst Yash Patodia outlines the state of the Asia tech sector today and identifies potential long-term opportunities in this space.
Article
2024-03-31
2023 Asia Pacific Investment Forum: Restrategise for an altered macro regime
At our 2023 Asia Pacific Investment Forum, a multidisciplinary group of Wellington’s specialists shared their unique perspectives on how to re-strategise for 2023 and beyond.
Event replay
2024-03-31
Financial stability versus inflation: The Fed’s balancing act has gotten much trickier
The Fed’s policy calculus has clearly changed somewhat over the past few weeks but the central bank may not be done hiking rates just yet, says Fixed Income Portfolio Manager Jeremy Forster.
Quick Take
2024-03-31
The allocator’s perspective: three key decisions on EM equities
How can investors best access opportunities within an improving outlook for emerging market equities? Natasha Brook-Walters, co-head of iStrat, shares three key decision points for allocators.
Article
2024-03-31
Deep and diverse: Welcome to today’s Asia credit market
Two of our Singapore-based experts on Asia credit discuss the market's key features, along with how it's evolved and is likely to continue doing so.
Whitepaper
2024-03-31
Understanding the US banking sector shake-up
Investment Communications Managers Jitu Naidu and Adam Norman detail recent US bank failures and analyze the implications. (Published 14 March 2023)
Quick Take
2024-03-31
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)
Quick Take
2024-03-31
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)
Quick Take
2024-03-31
India: Structural tailwinds for 2023 and beyond
Following his recent trip to India, Macro Strategist Tushar Poddar shares why he's very positive on the country's medium- to longer-term structural outlook.
Quick Take
2024-03-31
New BOJ governor: Dove, hawk… or owl?
Investment Director Masahiko Loo and Client Portfolio Manager Jitu Naidu discuss potential implications of the upcoming “changing of the guard” at the BOJ.
Quick Take
2024-03-31
US debt-ceiling risk: Justifiable jitters?
With markets on high alert around the US debt-ceiling standoff, Macro Strategist Juhi Dhawan lays out some possible paths forward and weighs the economic risks.
Quick Take
2024-02-29
Russia/Ukraine: One year in with no end in sight
Geopolitical Strategist Thomas Mucha analyzes the impacts of the Russia/Ukraine conflict one year in and identifies potential longer-term effects.
Quick Take
2024-02-29
European equities: a complex story
Macro Strategist Nicolas Wylenzek examines the complex prospects of European equities from both a near-term and structural perspective.
Quick Take
2024-02-29
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.
Quick Take
2024-02-29
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.
Whitepaper
2024-01-31
Why investing in themes for EM equities may reap rewards
Portfolio Manager Dáire Dunne outlines why he is increasingly optimistic about the potential opportunities within select EM equity themes this year.
Article
2024-02-29
February Fed meeting: Chair Powell strikes a more optimistic tone
The Fed just might still be able to engineer the hoped-for "soft landing" but it's not going to be easy, says Fixed Income Analyst Caroline Casavant.
Quick Take
2023-09-30
Why global investors should watch the Bank of Japan
Macro Strategist John Butler explores why global investors should watch the Bank of Japan and what is likely to happen next.
Quick Take
2024-01-31
How to invest amidst a still unfolding energy crisis?
In this ActiveViews webcast, senior climate – and energy – focused professionals explore the still unfolding energy crisis in Europe and the associated challenges and opportunities for investors.
Event replay
2024-02-29
China internet: Identifying opportunities amid economic reopening
China’s re-opening and economic recovery from its zero-COVID policy has bolstered our optimism in Chinese internet companies.
Article
2023-12-31
Could Japan face a UK-style pension crisis?
Investment Director Masahiko Loo explores the risks of Japan facing a UK-style pension crisis and identifies fundamental reasons that make Japanese pension funds inherently less vulnerable.
Quick Take
2024-01-31
China equity in 2023: Year of the stock picker
Despite the potential risks of investing in China equity, Equity Portfolio Manager Bo Meunier believes there are attractive opportunities for patient, discerning stock pickers.
Article
2023-12-31
Currency outlook: Nearing the end of USD exceptionalism?
Fixed Income Portfolio Manager Martin Harvey and Investment Communications Manager Jitu Naidu consider the present state of and outlook for the US dollar.
Quick Take
2023-12-31
The Fed’s unenviable task for 2023
Fixed Income Portfolio Manager Jeremy Forster offers his forward-looking take on the Fed's comments and latest rate hike coming out of its December meeting.
Quick Take
2023-12-31
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.
Article
2023-12-31
China’s economy: Poised to exceed expectations in 2023
With the bar set so low for China's economy, Macro Strategist Santiago Millan thinks it won't take much for an upside surprise in 2023.
Article
2023-12-31
A new blueprint for US trade: Building a more resilient, sustainable, and competitive economy
Macro Strategist Juhi Dhawan explains how the Biden administration is reshaping US trade policy to reflect today's global realities, including supply-chain challenges, decarbonization, and geopolitical turmoil.
Quick Take
2023-12-31
How to find potential in volatile European high-yield markets?
Fixed Income Portfolio Manager Konstantin Leidman discusses why European high-yield investors need to be ready for both further volatility and the emergence of new opportunities.
Article
2023-12-31
Biodiversity: Why investors should take note
With scientists now broadly agreeing on the risks posed by accelerating biodiversity loss, Chris Goolgasian and Jenny Xie assess implications for investors and steps they can take.
Article
2023-12-31
2023: The year of disinflation for the US economy
In the coming year, US Macro Strategist Juhi Dhawan expects to see inflation begin to decline, the economy adjust to higher interest rates, and labor markets feel the pain of restrictive Fed policy.
Article
2023-12-31
By design and by default: Industry consolidation gathers steam across India
Equity Portfolio Manager Murali Srikantaiai sees increased industry consolidation in India as a largely positive trend from which some equity investors can (and should) seek to benefit.
Quick Take
2023-11-30
Wellington investor survey: inflationary Europe seen as top “problem child” of 2023
In the latest Wellington investor survey, inflationary Europe was seen as the top "problem child" of 2023.
Quick Take
2023-11-30
Markets take US election results in stride (for now, anyway)
Client Portfolio Manager Jitu Naidu weighs in on the markets' response to, and other potential implications of, the recently held US midterm elections.
Quick Take
2023-01-31
EM equity in 2023: Will the longest bear market in history continue?
We explore three key considerations for EM investors in today’s challenging environment and highlight potential winners and losers in 2023.
Article
2023-12-31
Emerging markets debt outlook: A glass half full or half empty?
Against a still-challenging global backdrop for emerging markets, Macro Strategist Gillian Edgeworth highlights opportunities created by extreme credit spread dispersion across individual countries.
Article
2023-12-31
Solving the duration mismatch to address Asian insurers’ interest-rate risk
Insurance Strategist Max Davies and ALM & Regulatory Capital Strategist Francisco Sebastian explain why diversifying across a varied mix of investment options is becoming increasingly important for Asia’s life insurers.
Quick Take
2023-12-31
A practical guide to addressing Asian insurers’ interest-rate risk
Insurance Strategist Max Davies and ALM & Regulatory Capital Strategist Francisco Sebastian examine how diversification may help Asia's life insurers to better manage their exposure to interest-rate risk.
Whitepaper
2023-11-30
November FOMC meeting: How slow can the Fed go?
Investment Specialist Caroline Casavant shares her takeaways from the November FOMC meeting, including thoughts on the likely pace of further Fed interest-rate hikes.
Quick Take
2023-01-31
Bank of Japan policy shift: Waiting for the other shoe to drop?
Client Portfolio Manager Jitu Naidu and Investment Director Masahiko Loo share their take on the consensus view that Japan has reached several key inflection points.
Quick Take
2023-01-31
Financial Times Moral Money Summit Asia 2022: Impact investing across public, private and emerging markets
In this replay from the Financial Times 2022 Moral Money Summit Asia, Edwina Matthew discusses key themes in impact investing.
Event replay
2023-10-31
India equity: An unsung long-term performance story
Despite strong long-term performance, Indian equities are often overlooked. That may be a mistake, say Equity Portfolio Manager Niraj Bhagwat and Investment Director Philip Brooks.
Quick Take
2023-10-31
Can agency MBS bounce back from dismal performance?
Fixed Income Portfolio Manager Brian Conroy and two colleagues weigh in on the mortgage-backed securities (MBS) market in the wake of a very challenging month.
Quick Take
2023-01-31
China equity: Is today's investor pessimism overdone?
The short answer is yes, say Equity Portfolio Manager Niraj Bhagwat and Investment Director Philip Brooks, who believe China may offer a short-term buying opportunity.
Quick Take
2023-10-31
After the UK sell-off: what’s next for global markets and investors?
Co-Head of Investment Strategy Natasha Brook-Walters and Head of Macro Strategy John Butler discuss the implications of the recent sell-off in UK markets for global markets and investors.
Article
2022-12-30
Bank loans: Can issuers overcome higher interest expenses?
The short answer, according to Fixed Income Portfolio Managers Jeff Heuer and David Marshak, is that many can. And, they believe bank loans can outperform many other fixed-income sectors over the next 12 months.
Continue reading
Quick Take
2023-01-31
UK in the eye of the storm: which countries might be next?
Macro Strategist John Butler provides his latest take on what's happening in the UK and its broader global implications.
Continue reading
Article
2022-12-31
Drug pricing reform: A bitter pill for biopharma?
Global Industry Analyst Wen Shi considers the implications of drug price reform for biotech companies — modest in the near term, but likely negative longer term.
Continue reading
Quick Take
2023-01-31
Thematic investing focus: The accelerating drive for financial inclusion
The global effort to expand access to financial services is getting a boost thanks to the digitalization trend and the growing consumer acceptance of technology, creating a range of investment opportunities.
Continue reading
Article
2023-09-30
The Fed’s “lean, leave, then clean” strategy
US inflation could prove "stickier" than many observers think. How might that influence Fed policy into 2023? Fixed Income Portfolio Manager Jeremy Forster opines.
Continue reading
Quick Take
2022-12-31
A lesson in climate resilience: Why China’s recent heat wave wasn’t worse
See why Hong Kong-based Macro Strategist Santiago Millán believes China's investments in climate resilience can be a lesson for the rest of the world.
Continue reading
Article
2023-09-30
India: Growth drivers are in place
Following a recent visit to India, Macro Strategist Tushar Poddar shares his take on the country's changing macro environment and its equity market.
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Quick Take
2023-09-30
Germany: Reducing Russian energy dependence in a hurry
Macro Strategist Juhi Dhawan sees Germany continuing to embrace the transition to renewables while also working to diversify its sources of fossil fuels.
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Quick Take
2022-12-30
What does an equity market bottom look like?
Applying a historical analysis to today's market, Multi-Asset Portfolio Manager Nick Petrucelli believes US equities have not yet found a near-term bottom.
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Quick Take
2022-11-30
Hidden corners of sustainability-related innovation
European small-cap equities are at the forefront of sustainability-related innovation but getting exposure to those opportunities requires a combination of research, engagement and long-term mindset.
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Article
2023-06-30
No more Mr. Nice Guy? Fed Chair Powell talks tough on inflation
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Fixed Income Portfolio Manager Brij Khurana offers his latest thoughts on Fed policy following the central bank's recent Jackson Hole meeting.
Quick Take
2023-09-30
US/China relations: What next after Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan?
Geopolitical Strategist Thomas Mucha assesses the escalating tension in US/China relations following US Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan.
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Quick Take
2022-11-30
Why collective investment trusts are gaining traction within DC plans
Growing interest in CITs within the DC space is being driven by lower fees and other benefits — a trend our DC team expects to continue.
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Article
2023-08-31
Investment takeaways from the latest inflation data
With 2022's structural inflation story still very much intact, now may be a particularly opportune time for investors to add real-asset and inflation-sensitive exposures to their portfolios.
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Quick Take
2022-11-30
Has China’s investment landscape permanently shifted?
Multi-Asset Strategist Adam Berger and Macro Strategist Santiago Millán consider key policy-related questions hanging over the Chinese market and share some near- and long-term investment views.
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Article
2023-08-31
A shifting macro landscape: QE, China, and Europe
We explore the changing macro environment, highlighting the investment implications of the end of quantitative easing programs, the state of the Chinese cycle, and an evolving outlook on Europe.
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Article
2023-08-31
A Canadian investor’s guide to navigating climate change
Director of Climate Research Chris Goolgasian and Alan Matijas, director of Client Group in Canada, provide relevant climate-related research and insights for Canadian investors.
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Article
2023-08-31
High inflation and slow growth in Europe: How should investors respond?
Multi-Asset Strategist Supriya Menon explores the asset allocation implications of high inflation and slow growth in Europe.
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Article
2023-08-31
Cash-balance liabilities: A new investment framework
A cash-balance plan is very different from a traditional pension, and the differences can have a major impact on interest-rate sensitivity. With this in mind, we propose a focus on capital preservation, consistent income, and liquidity.
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Article
2023-08-31
Why today’s fixed income market is fertile ground for active management
Skilled active management has potential to shine in times of increased dispersion across fixed income sectors and regions. Now may be one of those times.
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Quick Take
2022-12-31
Emerging local debt markets: Time to wade in?
Fixed Income Portfolio Manager Michael Henry sees positive trends across ELD fundamentals, valuations, and technicals that could be tailwinds for these markets going forward.
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Article
2023-08-31
Reckoning with recession risk: Why this one may be “pricey”
Client Portfolio Manager Jitu Naidu shares his latest take on the looming risk of a global economic recession and related issues.
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Quick Take
2022-11-30
Will the Fed send the US economy into a recession?
Multi-Asset Strategist Adam Berger and US Macro Strategist Juhi Dhawan consider the broad impact of Fed rate hikes and how asset allocators should respond.
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Article
2023-07-31
Fed rate hikes: A tailwind for bonds?
Global Investment Strategist Nanette Abuhoff Jacobson believes higher-quality, longer-duration bonds may prove resilient even if the Fed keeps raising short-term rates into 2023.
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Quick Take
2022-10-31
Local perspectives matter: Grassroots research in emerging markets
During a recent research trip across India, our impact investing team witnessed the rapid pace of change and growth mindset that are expanding the impact opportunity set.
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Article
2023-07-31
What next for the euro area after the ECB’s historic hike?
Eoin O'Callaghan and Marco Giordano explore the ECB’s likely next steps and the potential future path of inflation and growth in the euro area.
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Article
2023-07-05
July Fed meeting: Rising inflation vs falling growth
After another rate hike, the Fed must balance moderating growth with mounting inflation. Caroline Casavant opines on how the central bank might navigate this dilemma.
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Quick Take
2022-10-31
Mid-2022 Inflation Outlook
We explore the current inflation environment's significant impacts on asset markets, anticipated relief in supply-chain pressures, and opportunities in commodities and enduring assets.
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Article
2023-07-31
US inflation: Supply chains to the rescue?
Macro Strategist Juhi Dhawan shares her inflation outlook, including the prospects for supply-chain normalization, and her views on the market implications.
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Article
2023-07-31
New IFRS financial reporting standards: how should insurers implement the changes?
ALM and Regulatory Capital Strategist Francisco Sebastian assesses how insurance companies should implement upcoming changes to International Financial Reporting Standards to create value for their shareholders and mutual members.
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Quick Take
2023-07-31
Credit investing against a slower-growth, higher-inflation backdrop
The significant flattening of the US Treasury yield curve in recent months has some prognosticators calling for an impending US recession. Not so fast, says Fixed Income Portfolio Manager Rob Burn.
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Quick Take
2022-07-31
Loans from Federal Home Loan Banks: An opportunity for US insurers to enhance investment yield and total return
Learn why our Financial Reserves Management Group believes FHLB loans provide compelling potential for insurers to add alpha or increase yield by borrowing at low rates and benefitting from possible favorable treatment by ratings agencies.
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Whitepaper
2023-07-01
New IFRS reporting standards: a game changer for insurers?
From 1 January 2023, new requirements set out in the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) on Insurance Contracts and Financial Instruments will change how insurance companies are required to measure and report their performance
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Quick Take
2023-06-30
Climate from the allocator's perspective
How do different asset allocators within Wellington incorporate climate change into their investment process as markets, data and regulation continue to evolve?
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Event replay
2023-05-31
How the Russia/Ukraine conflict has galvanized the West
Geopolitical Strategist Thomas Mucha provides his latest insights on the Russia/Ukraine conflict, particularly with regard to its significant and potentially enduring impact on US/EU relations.
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Quick Take
2022-08-30
Is it too soon to call a “top” in US interest rates?
Are we nearing the top of the 10-year treasury rate?
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Quick Take
2023-05-31
Six reasons India may be on the cusp of a major upcycle
Numerous positive structural and cyclical factors are pointing towards a major economic upcycle in India over the next five to six years, in our view, creating a range of potential investment opportunities. We believe India’s market is supported by an evolving investment universe, powerful demographic trends, increasing urbanisation and rising wealth, export growth, geopolitical tailwinds and a supportive policy regime. These factors are coalescing at a time when the corporate deleveraging cycle of the last few years is coming to an end and a new upcycle in profitability could be beginning.
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Quick Take
2022-12-30
Will Japanese buyers look beyond USD fixed income? They may have to
With the US Federal Reserve’s (Fed’s) interest-rate-hiking cycle now underway, it’s an important time to keep a close eye on non-US buyers of US dollar (USD) fixed income securities.
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Quick Take
2022-07-31
Helping European investors navigate inflation fears
The recent shift to a higher inflation regime, with resulting expectations of tighter monetary policy and rising interest rates, presents a material challenge for European fixed income investors. Against this backdrop, Investment Analyst Will Prentis and Investment Director Tobias Ripka believe investment flexibility is key.
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Quick Take
2022-07-31
Five reasons to take a closer look at Brazil
I have published my views on Brazil more than once over the past year (most recently in my November 2021 blog post), but the environment there has changed markedly through the first few months of this year, with COVID-related risks seemingly on the wane and the Russia/Ukraine conflict having driven up commodity prices — so I thought now would be an opportune time to share a fresh perspective on South America’s most populous country.
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Quick Take
2022-07-31
Five reasons to take a closer look at Brazil
I have published my views on Brazil more than once over the past year (most recently in my November 2021 blog post), but the environment there has changed markedly through the first few months of this year, with COVID-related risks seemingly on the wane and the Russia/Ukraine conflict having driven up commodity prices — so I thought now would be an opportune time to share a fresh perspective on South America’s most populous country.
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Quick Take
2022-07-31
Global credit: Where do we go from here?
Fixed Income Portfolio Manager Mahmoud El-Shaer explores why 2022 may be a momentous year for global credit and sets out a framework to think through potential investment implications. 2022 promises to be another challenging year for central banks as they attempt to normalise policies in the face of surging inflation, while navigating the growing fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Since 2009, there has essentially been one trade in capital markets: riding a huge wave of central bank liquidity in support of the financial system and the economy, with the G4 central banks alone pumping approximately US$20 trillion into the system via quantitative easing (QE).
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Quick Take
2022-07-31
What does the Ukraine invasion mean for China?
Macro Strategist Santiago Millán argues that the scale and breadth of the sanctions on Russia have increased the uncertainty of investing in China across multiple dimensions. He explores the continued decoupling of China and the West.
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Article
2022-06-30
China is not Russia: Reasons to stay invested
Equity Portfolio Manager Greg Mattiko challenges investors to look at actions rather than conjecture when considering reduced exposure to China.
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Article
2023-03-31
War in Ukraine: Five observations on recent developments
Macro Strategist Gillian Edgeworth assesses recent developments in the escalating Russia/Ukraine conflict and highlights five key implications.
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Article
2023-03-31
War and markets: What's the connection?
Amid the geopolitical turmoil and tragic humanitarian fallout of the Russia/Ukraine crisis, many investors are naturally also concerned about the negative effects the escalating conflict could have on their portfolios. With that in mind, I thought I’d provide a quick snapshot of the impacts that past wars have tended to have on asset prices.
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Article
2023-03-31
Ten more “what if” scenarios for 2022
In his latest Top of Mind session, Multi-Asset Strategist Adam Berger addressed a wide range of what-if scenarios on the minds of our clients. See what he has to say on Russia, China, cryptocurrencies, the IPO market, and many other topics in this brief article.
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Article
2023-02-28
How will Russia’s invasion of Ukraine transform the euro area? Four potential paths
As the tragedy in Ukraine unfolds, Macro Strategist John Butler assesses possible implications of the conflict for Europe and the euro area. He outlines four potential paths.
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Article
2023-03-31
China in 2022: Embracing the volatility
China’s new antitrust, data privacy and cybersecurity regulations, combined with its education and real estate industry reforms, the continued impact of COVID-19 and rising geopolitical tensions, drove a tumultuous investment environment last year. The country’s numerous headline-grabbing changes spurred global concern given the philosophical shift towards “Common Prosperity” and the sheer scale and speed of policymaking.
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Quick Take
2022-08-31
Russia/Ukraine and the commodity challenge
With commodity inventories at multi-decade lows, is rising cross-asset class volatility all but inevitable? Leveraging insights from Wellington colleagues, Thematic Strategist Trevor Noren argues that the Russia/Ukraine crisis demonstrates why the answer is likely yes.
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Article
2023-03-31
Geopolitical observations on Ukraine
Geopolitical Strategist Thomas Mucha integrates his observations with those of his senior-level military, intelligence and diplomatic contacts to offer insights on the potential consequences of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
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Article
2023-03-31
DC plans: Three timely themes that probably aren’t going away anytime soon
Our DC plan specialists highlight three big-picture investment themes that are not only top of mind for many plan participants in today’s environment, but are also likely to have staying power in the months ahead.
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Article
2023-03-31
An inside look at today’s municipal market
After a year in which municipal bonds posted respectable returns (Figure 1), many clients have been seeking forward-looking guidance on the market as a whole and (increasingly) on particular sectors of it. Here are my latest thoughts as of this writing on the outlook for the rest of 2022.
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Quick Take
2022-05-31
How might equity sectors fare when Fed tightening begins?
We look back at how US equities have performed in the months following the beginning of a tightening cycle, as well as how bond yields have tended to behave.
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Quick Take
2022-05-31
EM local debt: Forgotten but not forsaken
The emerging markets (EM) local debt sector (as measured by the JP Morgan Government Bond Index – Emerging Markets Global Diversified) just posted its worst calendar-year performance since 2013, returning -8.75% against the headwind of higher EM local interest rates. The underlying culprit? EM inflation surprised to the upside in 2021, forcing a number of EM central banks to raise their policy interest rates in an effort to curb the impact.
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Quick Take
2022-09-30
Navigating a new tomorrow
In this video, Wellington investment professionals and prominent guests articulate the structural risks and opportunities that we believe will shape tomorrow’s investment strategies, ranging from medical innovation spurred by the global pandemic to technological breakthroughs, and ideas aimed at curbing or mitigating climate risk.
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Event replay
2023-01-31
Credit and equity performance around Fed hiking cycles
One of the discussion topics du jour is how the credit and equity markets might react to the US Federal Reserve (Fed) interest-rate hikes that are widely anticipated in the coming months. As is often the case with me, I find it helpful here to refer to past hiking regimes and market performances as a sort of guidepost.
The proof’s in the pudding
To wit, I examined the historical returns of both US credit (for this purpose, proxied by corporate high-yield bonds) and US equities (represented by the S&P 500 Index) during the six months before the first rate increase of a Fed hiking cycle through the 12 months after said increase.
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Quick Take
2022-05-31
Can Ukraine’s economy withstand another conflict with Russia?
Macro Strategist Gillian Edgeworth assesses Ukraine’s outlook in the face of renewed conflict with Russia and finds that under most scenarios Ukraine's macro-economic prospects may be less negative than perhaps is assumed.
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Quick Take
2023-02-28
Ukraine crisis: Understanding the broader picture
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. Read more.
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Article
2023-02-28
Ukraine crisis: Understanding the broader picture
I believe the current standoff between Russia and the West over Ukraine is part of a global geopolitical pattern of “great-power” competition. As I explore in my 2022 Outlook, the geopolitical backdrop is becoming increasingly unpredictable and dangerous. This shift is driven primarily by US-China rivalry but also other structural factors such as domestic political polarization, and longer term, the growing impact of climate change on national security. In this new geopolitical reality, I think great powers will be more likely to act out of regional and global self-interest, especially in relation to geostrategic issues they consider core to national security. For Russia, Ukraine is such a critical security consideration and part of its wider strong geostrategic desire for cultivating “buffer states.” Accordingly, the Russian invasion threat to Ukraine is real, structural, and rooted in this emerging world order.
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Quick Take
2022-04-30
The critically important national security implications of biotech
Deepening US policy risks in the biotechnology sector have garnered some well-deserved attention from many of my colleagues lately. Given biotechnology’s potential future importance to US policymakers in the context of the ongoing US-China “great-power” competition, I’d like to share my own thoughts on what’s driving the rising geopolitical risk and national security concerns.
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Quick Take
2022-04-30
Euro area: Challenging long-held assumptions
We believe 2022 will be the year when macroeconomic and political developments challenge two deep-rooted misperceptions about the euro area:
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2022-04-30
The fish are biting: Exploiting Japan’s inefficient equity market
Our Japanese equity team has shown Japan to be one of the world’s most inefficient markets, making it a good “fishing pond” for alpha-seeking active managers who do their homework and apply a strong investment process.
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Quick Take
2021-12-31
Quality-growth investing amid inflation and rising rates
We discuss how today’s market impacts growth companies, including which areas are well positioned for the year ahead.
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2022-12-31
Quality-growth investing amid inflation and rising rates
We discuss how today's market impacts growth companies, including which areas are well positioned for the year ahead.
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Article
2022-12-31
Fed watch 2022: Year of the hawk?
With inflation on the rise and all eyes seemingly on the Fed these days, Fixed Income Portfolio Manager Jeremy Forster shares his takeaways from the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC)'s December 2021 meeting.
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Quick Take
2022-07-29
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China’s growing self-reliance could bolster its equity market
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