Inflation, one of many inputs to multi-asset decision-making, cooled substantially last year, but upside surprises in early 2024 for the US and Europe have many investors concerned that the path back to normal has hit a roadblock.
Today’s technology boom is being driven by real efficiency gains, which is why we think comparisons with the dot-com bubble are misguided.
It can be a tall task to compare diverse lifetime income solutions. Applying a comprehensive framework may enable a level playing field.
Market and industry trends are shining on US financial stocks, whose fortunes might be changing for the better across diverse sub-industries.
More clarity on interest rates means more clarity on the investment outlook and the opportunities across private markets.
Understanding the social risks posed by climate transition requires discipline, nuance and a systematic approach.
Competition for electric vehicles is mounting, but demand persists. So how can equity investors capture the potential of the fast-changing industry?
From biodiversity and blended finance to a just transition and the cost of drugs, we preview the key ESG issues we’re targeting through research.
An economic soft landing in 2024 remains our base case. Inflation continues to cool, which we think will prompt central banks to follow through on rate cuts by late in the second quarter. Meanwhile, political and policy risks could rise, as over half the world holds key elections in the coming months.
Investors have been selling inflation protection in the mistaken belief that it’s no longer needed. They’ve helped create a unique opportunity.
Too many companies with solid earnings growth haven’t been rewarded in narrow equity markets. That may be about to change.
Bond investors who are overly focused on individual data points may lose sight of the bigger opportunity picture.
Geopolitical tensions in recent years have prompted companies to reconfigure their supply chains, with US firms increasingly moving production outside of China.
Many investors seem content to sit in cash. But with the market pricing in rate cuts by July, we think it’s time for muni investors to jump back in now. Here’s why.
But a bigger story has been afoot: the incredible shrinking US bank sector. Its numbers, which have withered for decades, are the lowest in over a century. The current environment should accelerate that decline, raising multi-trillion-dollar questions: Why? What does it mean for consumers and investors?
Attractive growth companies are scattered across Europe’s otherwise lackluster market landscape. Here’s how to find them.
Investments in aircraft can offer steady cash flow and a return profile that’s uncorrelated to broad market indices.
Our research shows a correlation between strong governance and higher stock returns.
Although markets expect both the Fed and the ECB to cut rates in June, macro developments could change that forecast.
Issues like water scarcity are felt most intensely at the local level. That makes it incumbent on municipal bond issuers to lead the response.
Register now to join Matt Norton, AB’s CIO for Municipal Bonds, and Municipal Portfolio Manager Daryl Clements as they discuss how to best position muni portfolios in today’s environment.
Multi-asset income strategies are becoming more popular, but some may bake in more risk than expected. The key is designing complementary exposures.
Sovereign debt levels soared during the pandemic, and countries at the eurozone’s periphery may look high risk. But appearances can be deceptive.
Despite conventional wisdom, political uncertainty doesn’t necessarily pose acute risks to the healthcare sector.
The Fed’s close monitoring and well-signaled tapering of QT should prevent disruptions to the short-term funding markets—despite converging risks.
Secure lifetime income is a top wish-list item for defined contribution plan participants, and it has benefits for plan sponsors too. But there are very different ways to deliver it.
There's been a lot of focus, especially in the media, around things like renewable energy and electric vehicles. But if you think about the challenge of reducing emissions, we're going to have to do that across a diverse set of solutions, including things like heating and cooling, manufacturing, infrastructure, agriculture.
Companies supporting efforts to create a more secure and stable world could provide equity investors with an attractive source of long-term returns.
Earnings haven’t been consistently rewarded in equity markets recently. That could change faster than you think.
A new approach to environmental, social and governance (ESG) research could ease investors’ frustrations with sourcing and evaluating the data required for objective credit analysis. Thanks to a surge in company reporting, ESG metrics can now be quantified and incorporated into analyses that were historically rooted in fundamental research alone.
Investors who stay too long in cash may find they’ve missed out.
Investors face an urgent challenge in understanding, analyzing and managing biodiversity risks.
The Fed poured cold water on a March rate cut, but the underlying message still has rates coming down—by a lot. Waiting for the starting point can be risky for investors.
Emerging-market equities have a bad rap. But a lost decade may have set up promising conditions for a recovery.
Emerging-market (EM) assets were resilient in 2023, gaining ground despite conflict in the Middle East, concerns over slowing economic growth in China, and the US dollar’s strength against other regional currencies. Now, with the Fed signaling rate cuts in 2024, the news could get better.
Many investors limit their mandates to credits rated BBB or higher. But they could tap high-quality high yield—without adding to overall risk.
Falling inflation hasn’t yet translated into good feelings among US consumers. Based on the latest data, that might be changing.
Investors who wait too long to get off the sidelines may find they’ve missed out.
Defensive equity strategies that limit downside losses but lag too much in up-markets may be missing the mark. Is there another way to reduce volatility?
Investor sentiment toward China has soured after a tough year for the economy and stock market. But the painful economic transition is also creating real opportunity.
Rate cuts don’t happen in a vacuum—staying nimble with asset allocation can help investors adapt.
Still doing “T-bill and chill”? As a strategy, rolling Treasury bills may have worked well so far this year, but history suggests it’s time for municipal bond investors to get off the sidelines and back into the market—and soon.
As equity investors hunt for opportunities, why should they consider climate-focused investing?
AB’s Chief Responsibility Officer previews areas of research focus for our Responsible Investing teams in 2024.
Private credit has in a little more than a decade evolved from a niche asset class to a key component of a diversified investment portfolio. We think it will be even more important in 2024 as banks’ reluctance to lend widens the opportunity set for investors.
Bond yields are up—that’s good news for income investors, but secular forces still pose headwinds for inflation-adjusted returns. We think an efficient way to generate income is by carefully assembling mixes of interest-rate and credit building blocks—and incorporating private-market exposure for additional diversification and return potential.
It’s hard to chart a course through equity markets in times of uncertainty. Here are our thoughts on some of the big questions on investors’ minds today.
So it was a very strong year for broad equity benchmarks around the world, but it perhaps didn't feel like a great year for many investors. There's economic uncertainty for sure.
The tide has turned for bonds. Here’s what we think is in store for 2024.
US equity market returns have been disproportionately driven by the so-called Magnificent Seven (Mag 7) stocks this year. Their dominance has created style imbalances within large-cap benchmarks that deserve closer attention from investors.
