As financial advisers, we often receive questions from clients about various economic indicators and how they can impact the market and investments. It is important for us to be prepared with the latest data and provide the necessary context to help our clients understand these complex topics. Lately, many clients have been concerned about the rising costs of everyday expenses … Read More

According to a recent survey conducted by the Index Industry Association (IIA), the asset management community has seen a significant increase in the adoption of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) benchmarks and indexes over the past two years. These indexes have expanded beyond traditional areas of integration and are now being utilized in new asset classes and strategies. The IIA … Read More

Key Points: – The correlation between stocks and bonds has flipped from positive to negative, and then back to positive again over the years. – The Equity Risk Premium (ERP) is the difference between the riskless return and the return on risky equity. – Bonds can still be considered as a hedge even if their returns are negative. – The … Read More

“This is a time of testing — a testing not only of our capacity collectively to reach coherent and intelligent policies, but to stick with them.” — Paul Volcker, 9 October 1979 Paul Volcker and the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) should be commended for their unwavering commitment to tightening monetary policy during the recession of 1981 to 1982. Their … Read More

Key Points: Fundraising challenges in private equity industry Implications of economic downturns on credit supply and portfolio assets The rise of vertical integration and insurance as a source of capital The risks of insurance exposure and public scrutiny The diversification strategy of alternative asset supermarkets The performance conundrum of perpetual capital Private capital firms face performance headwinds as they navigate … Read More

Purpose and Profit: How Business Can Lift up the World. 2022. George Serafeim. HarperCollins Leadership. In Purpose and Profit: How Business Can Lift up the World, renowned author George Serafeim provides a roadmap and best practices for businesses to achieve long-term competitive advantage by prioritizing environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) goals alongside profiting. The book emphasizes the significance of … Read More

Amid resurgent and persistent inflation, the modern monetary theory (MMT) is losing its appeal. The US Federal Reserve raised interest rates in response to high inflation numbers. Panelists at the Equity Risk Premium Forum expressed ambivalence towards MMT. MMT policies were criticized for benefiting the rich rather than having a redistributive effect. Forecasts for the equity risk premium (ERP) made … Read More

“The descent is always more sudden than the increase; a balloon that has been punctured does not deflate in an orderly way.” — John Kenneth Galbraith Key Points: The US Federal Reserve recently raised the federal funds rate, indicating the need for further monetary tightening. The Fed’s attempts to navigate the economic conditions resemble a game of balancing inflation and deflation. … Read More

Key Points: The euro has recently declined in value compared to the US dollar. The eurozone’s vulnerabilities have been exposed and exacerbated by the Russia-Ukraine war. Understanding different models for analyzing exchange rates can help evaluate the euro’s risk factors. The eurozone’s complex nature and lack of a fiscal union present challenges for the European Central Bank (ECB). The euro’s … Read More

Key Points: Advancing our skills is crucial for career growth and success. The investment industry requires a combination of technical, soft, leadership, and T-shaped skills. Technical skills are important early on, while soft and leadership skills become more vital as we progress in our careers. T-shaped skills, which combine deep technical knowledge with a broad understanding of other disciplines, are … Read More