Compare corporate and municipal bonds, including risks, returns, and tax benefits. Learn which bond type fits your investment goals.
Simply stated, the U.S. doesn’t save and invest enough. As a result, we pay for too many of our imports by borrowing from our trading partners.
As homeowner insurance rates rise, advisors share ways individuals can create a financial safety net should catastrophe impact their homes.
Between raising and lowering tariffs on imported goods, President Donald Trump made time last week to sign an executive order aimed at reviving America’s “beautiful clean coal industry.”
Significant government policy shifts, particularly in tariffs and regulatory restructuring, have created uncertainty and volatility. We continue monitoring potential risks like inflation and recession while remaining focused on identifying profitable investment opportunities amidst these changes.
Social Security faces funding issues by 2035, but major changes to the program are unlikely in the near term.
The last time the dollar needed policy intervention was in 1985. The dollar was ascendant, and that put American exports at a disadvantage.
Investors just can’t get enough of ETFs, and issuers are more than happy to oblige. Through the middle of last week—still with a handful of days left in the quarter—208 new U.S. ETFs were launched in Q1, according to Wall Street Horizon data.
Longtime Investor Alert readers have often seen me say that government policy is a precursor to change. What this means is that, when policymakers act—whether through subsidies, sanctions, tariffs or regulations—markets can sometimes respond swiftly and dramatically. We’re seeing that play out right now in real time, especially in the copper market.
With the pause button pressed on this year’s huge AI rally in Chinese tech stocks, clarity on global economic policies and concrete signs of core business improvement may be required to get things rolling again.
We’ve written quite a bit on tariffs already this year, and appropriately so. Developments on this front have been significant and are of global consequence.
While systematic investing often relies on models and financial data, Pozharny emphasizes that Bridgeway’s process is differentiated by its acknowledgment of unknowns and its method for adjusting ratings based on external events. The team grades stocks on a scale from A to F, with adjustments made when externalities—such as leadership changes, regulatory shifts, or geopolitical risks—threaten to undermine model assumptions.
The global economy is undergoing an unprecedented wave of industrial and infrastructure expansion, driving relentless demand for commodities across energy, metals and agriculture.
Since May 2020, inflation (CPI) has gone from a low of 0.1% to a high of 9.1% and back to 2.8%. It is no wonder why any investor might at least pause in this period of uncertainty.
Green bond issuers tend to excel at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, per a Bank for International Settlements study.
On the latest edition of Market Week in Review, Director and Global Head of Solutions Strategy, Van Luu, discussed the latest rate decisions from key central banks. He also talked about fiscal reform in Germany and reviewed recent U.S. market performance.
It's been full steam ahead for active ETFs, with total assets now rapidly approaching the $1 trillion milestone.
Customization is an integral part of direct indexing. The technology behind it can make or break the experience for clients and advisors alike. We dive into the features and functions that make the best tools.
On the latest Road to Exchange, VettaFi’s Roxanna Islam interviewed author and Bread founder Kyla Scanlon. Scanlon is most known for her work as an influencer and her widely praised book, “In This Economy?,” Scanlon, who dissects and comments on markets in a unique way, will be speaking at the Exchange conference.
Europe’s plan to rearm in the face of Russian aggression and US detachment has already delivered a bonanza to equity investors. Credit funds are scrambling to get a share of the windfall, too.
The virtue economy, the only bubble I have ever called, has now completely burst.
The U.S. has poured more than $120 billion into Ukraine since its war with Russia began three years ago, but with a new administration in Washington, that support is grinding to a halt.
Opportunities have increased significantly in frontier markets debt as more countries have made a conscious effort to open their capital markets to international investors and currencies have become more fairly valued.
More than a century ago, then-Representative William McKinley pursued an aggressive tariff strategy that sought to protect American industry and reduce reliance on foreign imports. The McKinley Tariff Act of 1890 raised import duties to an average of 50%, one of the highest levels in U.S. history.
Measuring the effectiveness of ESG-labeled bonds can be a challenge, particularly with “outcome bonds,” which have specific environmental or social goals but lack standardized assessment criteria.
The managed account industry has seen tremendous growth and client adoption, with assets increasing by 28% over the last year and 50% over the past two years.
Our research suggests that healthcare firms with sound pay practices may yield healthier returns.
Banks have pulled a handful of US leveraged loans from the market this month, as investors are pushing back on aggressive pricing and credits with less favorable ratings, even though demand is outweighing the overall supply of deals.
Global equities ended 2024 on a strong note, driven by the continued dominance of U.S. equities, which were propelled even higher by the reelection of President Donald Trump.
U.S. dependence on metal imports could prove costly.
Impact investors can help devastated communities recover and build resilience.
Deregulation is among President Donald Trump’s most enduring policy themes. In his 2016 campaign, he called for widespread deregulation and made it a central plank in both his economic and energy platforms.
I recently read three very different books which were published in the last three years, all of them speaking to the problems created by the neoliberal order that has been in the ascendancy since the late ’70s but has faltered of late. The solutions that these books offer are, respectively: tweaking; evolution; and revolution.
Stock market stoicism isn’t just philosophy – it’s a practical approach to investing where we focus on what we can control (research quality, disciplined decisions, and our reactions) while accepting what we can’t (market whims and short-term sentiment shifts).
President Donald Trump launched a sweeping overhaul of US energy policy hours after taking office Monday, putting the weight of the federal government behind fossil-fuel production and pulling back from the fight against climate change.
At the start of every year, we publish our popular Periodic Table of Commodity Returns, an interactive infographic of the gains and losses across the commodities market.
In 2025, two titans of technology stand at the forefront of innovation: quantum computing and robotics. Each offers a vision of a future transformed, where the impossible becomes achievable and industries are redefined.
There are a few things it makes sense to get a start on when a new year begins. One is tax-loss harvesting.
Natural disasters test—but don’t break—municipalities’ resilience.
Outsourced trading is a growing trend among asset managers, with recent headlines illustrating how firms are reassessing their approach to how trading fits in their broader strategic plans.
The aerospace and defense industry plays a pivotal role in both national security and the stock market. With U.S. defense spending leading the world, the largest contractors are well-positioned for growth amid rising global tensions.
President Joe Biden is indefinitely blocking offshore oil and gas development in more than 625 million acres of US coastal waters, warning that drilling there is simply “not worth the risks” and “unnecessary” to meet the nation’s energy needs.
European bond markets are climbing a mountain of worry. Despite the risks, history suggests a positive outcome.
Continued volatility, falling yields, and other expectations for the year ahead, plus seven strategies to take advantage.
Fixed income is top of mind as investors look to a new interest rate regime. Sylvia Yeh dives into the outlook for 2025.
Emerging markets-focused investors have had little to celebrate over the past year.
Some hedge fund managers are sounding the alarm on overvalued nuclear power stocks and scaling back exposure after a stunning rally this year.
Start the new year right by reviewing and revamping your financial plan.
The $10.4 trillion US exchange-traded fund industry’s blockbuster year comes with an asterisk: even amid record inflows and launches, funds are shuttering at a nearly unprecedented clip.
Our outlook on the 11 S&P 500 equity sectors.
The odds are good that Santa won’t disappoint in 2024. Here’s the history of the past 99 Decembers, compared to the other months.
he economic-policy consensus that prevails in the US is right about one thing.
As a concept, environmentally responsible investing is in its flop era. Right-wing backlash has turned “ESG” into a four-letter word in terrified corporate boardrooms.
Just a few short years (months?) ago, few would have believed it possible. But it happened: Bitcoin has traded above $100,000 for the first time ever.
In the port city of Duluth, Minnesota, local activists and Washington-based groups are coalescing to scrutinize — and possibly stall — a $6.2 billion acquisition of a power utility led by Global Infrastructure Partners.
In their 2025 outlook, Head of Americas Equities Marc Pinto and Head of EMEA and Asia Pacific Equities Lucas Klein say a changing macroeconomic backdrop could create new pockets of leadership in global equity markets.
It’s the anniversary of the first-ever controlled nuclear fission chain reaction. And it’s the day that Enron filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2001.
When it comes to personalized investment strategies, multiple perspectives come into play: the client, the provider and the advisor.
With human rights regulations expanding, investors need a broader approach to assessing risk and opportunity.
Investors are scrambling to decide if Donald Trump’s impending return to the White House will sustain or derail the rally in emerging-market bonds witnessed under Joe Biden.
Policy changes could reshape return potential for companies across the US market. Here’s how investors can start thinking about the challenges ahead.
VettaFi spoke recently with Nate Williams, a vice president and ETF specialist with Franklin Templeton, about the growth of its ETF business.
Most Americans, from both parties, say the government needs to increase the supply of affordable housing. For President-elect Donald Trump, that should offer a good opportunity to summon his instincts for development — and self-promotion — to get America building again. Call it the “Trump Building Boom.”
The global transition to clean energy should open opportunities for fixed income investors in bond funds that focus on the ESG theme.
With President-elect Donald Trump set to assume office in January, the U.S. military and cybersecurity sectors could experience sweeping changes, creating opportunities for investors who recognize the long-term growth potential in defense and technology.
Your fixed income strategy does not necessarily need to be adjusted based on every personnel or environmental change.
Change is on the horizon for hard working Americans saving for their future, as 401(k) plans are now embracing private market investments. Savers may soon have access to opportunities previously reserved for institutional investors.
VettaFi’s Todd Rosenbluth explains how the election could impact specific ETF categories and the industry overall. Baird’s Rich Lee also discusses the election’s implications for ETFs and talks market concentration risk, active ETFs, buffer products, crypto, and what to watch for in 2025.
Marc Pinto, Head of Americas Equities, and Lucas Klein, Head of EMEA and Asia Pacific Equities, say a surprisingly straightforward U.S. election could provide additional momentum to U.S. stocks through the end of 2024. But it remains to be seen how policy will impact future earnings—the real driver of long-term returns.
Over the past few years, investors and regulators have increased scrutiny of greenwashing.
Franklin Templeton Fixed Income believes investing in companies promoting gender equality and diversity can lead to inclusivity and strong financial returns. Despite the persistent gender gap, there's an increase in women in leadership roles, positively impacting financial performance, corporate governance and crisis resilience.
With Direct Indexing, you can help your clients prepare for life-changing transactions and minimize capital gains taxes by selectively harvesting losses to offset those gains, and implementing tax-efficient trading strategies.
I was emailed several times about a recent Morningstar article about J.P. Morgan’s warning of lower forward returns over the next decade. That was followed up by numerous emails about Goldman Sachs’ recent warnings of 3% annualized returns over the next decade.
Integrating the physical toll of climate change helps investors spot key risks—and opportunities.
In a corner of the credit market that regulators last year characterized as a potential hot-bed of greenwashing, there are signs that bankers have been cracking down on corporate pitches.
Join the experts at Adasina Social Capital for a free educational webcast that explores a social justice investing strategy that could boost your portfolio and help bring more equity into the world.
Seasonality has long influenced stock market trends, offering insights into predictable cycles of strength and weakness throughout the year. Yale Hirsch, the creator of the Stock Trader’s Almanac, is one of the most well-known contributors to studying these patterns.
Been with the same employer for 10 years or more? That doesn’t exactly make you a rarity in the US, where 30.2% of employed wage and salary workers were in that situation as of January 2024, according to data released last month by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. And while this percentage is down from a decade ago, it’s close to where things stood for the much of the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s.
We don’t talk about China enough. I suspect this is for several reasons. First, because the country is so incomprehensibly big and populous. Second, it has been an economic miracle. Many Chinese enthusiasts just see a straight line projection of their growth. To the moon, Alice!
Even with inflation well and truly on the way down after the most aggressive interest-rate tightening in a generation, central banks are averse to declarations of victory. That the pace of price increases has been reined in without a major economic downturn is an accomplishment that warrants some trumpeting.
Advisors and their clients who seek to take advantage of the potential rewards of private equity investing should understand the performance dispersion between top- and bottom-performing managers, a factor that heightens both the risk and opportunity. Since private equity investments are designed to be long-term investments where capital can be locked up for years, getting the manager selection wrong can be a vexing obstacle to success.
Memory inflation of past events amplifies one's emotions and behaviors. As I will discuss, I believe that distress from recent price inflation is causing many investors to overly fear that a similar situation will reoccur.
When Warren Buffett calls a book on investing “by far the best book about investing ever written,” it is common sense to concede the point.
To those who argue that value investing has gotten too hard in today’s momentum-chasing, passive-driven world, Scott McBride’s results are a bit of a conundrum.
One of the only things growing faster than progress in AI applications is speculation about AI’s effect on the economy. I don’t have all the answers, not by a long shot, but I do think we should expect great unevenness in adaptation, and that itself will alter our world.
The Federal Reserve's dual mandate is to maintain stable inflation and maximize employment. The Fed manages liquidity through its policy tools, but it's crucial to remember that the Fed is just one source of liquidity among several. In this quick insight, Dan Suzuki examines why tight Fed policy doesn't always equate to tight liquidity and looks into the historical data on Fed cuts.
Two major labor unions, the Dock Workers Union and the Boeing Machinists Union, have attempted to reach an agreement with their employers on a contract. The dock workers agreement proposes an average 8.5% per year wage increase over six years, and the Boeing Machinists Union’s proposal is for an average 7.5% wage increase over four years.
Asset managers in Europe and the US have spent 2024 winding down hundreds of ESG funds, as the investment strategy continues to bump up against regulatory headwinds.
As Steward Health Care Systems LLC’s network of hospitals was struggling, it stopped paying some of its vendors. One of those vendors was a supplier of bereavement boxes, the tiny cases used to transport the remains of newborns who don’t survive.
ESG
Corporate vs. Municipal Bonds: Key Differences Every Investor Should Know
Compare corporate and municipal bonds, including risks, returns, and tax benefits. Learn which bond type fits your investment goals.
Why Tariffs Won’t Solve Our Trade Problem
Simply stated, the U.S. doesn’t save and invest enough. As a result, we pay for too many of our imports by borrowing from our trading partners.
Advisors Share Solutions for Rising Homeowner Insurance Costs
As homeowner insurance rates rise, advisors share ways individuals can create a financial safety net should catastrophe impact their homes.
Trump’s Coal Comeback Could Face a Brutal Economic Reality
Between raising and lowering tariffs on imported goods, President Donald Trump made time last week to sign an executive order aimed at reviving America’s “beautiful clean coal industry.”
Muhlenkamp Quarterly Market Commentary – April 2025
Significant government policy shifts, particularly in tariffs and regulatory restructuring, have created uncertainty and volatility. We continue monitoring potential risks like inflation and recession while remaining focused on identifying profitable investment opportunities amidst these changes.
Will Social Security Change As Spending Cuts Are Considered?
Social Security faces funding issues by 2035, but major changes to the program are unlikely in the near term.
Is Another Currency Accord Ahead?
The last time the dollar needed policy intervention was in 1985. The dollar was ascendant, and that put American exports at a disadvantage.
There’s Always a Bull Market Somewhere: US ETF Launches Notch a Record
Investors just can’t get enough of ETFs, and issuers are more than happy to oblige. Through the middle of last week—still with a handful of days left in the quarter—208 new U.S. ETFs were launched in Q1, according to Wall Street Horizon data.
Copper and Gold Soar as Trump’s Trade War Reshapes Global Markets
Longtime Investor Alert readers have often seen me say that government policy is a precursor to change. What this means is that, when policymakers act—whether through subsidies, sanctions, tariffs or regulations—markets can sometimes respond swiftly and dramatically. We’re seeing that play out right now in real time, especially in the copper market.
China’s Tech Stocks Need More Than Just AI Hype to Extend Rally
With the pause button pressed on this year’s huge AI rally in Chinese tech stocks, clarity on global economic policies and concrete signs of core business improvement may be required to get things rolling again.
More Questions (and Answers) on Tariffs
We’ve written quite a bit on tariffs already this year, and appropriately so. Developments on this front have been significant and are of global consequence.
Systematic Investing: Recognizing What We Know—and What We Don’t
While systematic investing often relies on models and financial data, Pozharny emphasizes that Bridgeway’s process is differentiated by its acknowledgment of unknowns and its method for adjusting ratings based on external events. The team grades stocks on a scale from A to F, with adjustments made when externalities—such as leadership changes, regulatory shifts, or geopolitical risks—threaten to undermine model assumptions.
A World Under Construction
The global economy is undergoing an unprecedented wave of industrial and infrastructure expansion, driving relentless demand for commodities across energy, metals and agriculture.
The Calm Within the Storm
Since May 2020, inflation (CPI) has gone from a low of 0.1% to a high of 9.1% and back to 2.8%. It is no wonder why any investor might at least pause in this period of uncertainty.
Study Shows Green Bond Issuers Better at Reducing Emissions
Green bond issuers tend to excel at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, per a Bank for International Settlements study.
Germany Takes the Handbrake Off
On the latest edition of Market Week in Review, Director and Global Head of Solutions Strategy, Van Luu, discussed the latest rate decisions from key central banks. He also talked about fiscal reform in Germany and reviewed recent U.S. market performance.
Nearing $1 Trillion: Active ETF Engine Roars On
It's been full steam ahead for active ETFs, with total assets now rapidly approaching the $1 trillion milestone.
How to Put the Power of Direct Indexing at Your Fingertips
Customization is an integral part of direct indexing. The technology behind it can make or break the experience for clients and advisors alike. We dive into the features and functions that make the best tools.
Road to Exchange: Kyla Scanlon on Human Economics
On the latest Road to Exchange, VettaFi’s Roxanna Islam interviewed author and Bread founder Kyla Scanlon. Scanlon is most known for her work as an influencer and her widely praised book, “In This Economy?,” Scanlon, who dissects and comments on markets in a unique way, will be speaking at the Exchange conference.
As Europe Rearms, Bond Funds Are Ripping Up the Rule Book
Europe’s plan to rearm in the face of Russian aggression and US detachment has already delivered a bonanza to equity investors. Credit funds are scrambling to get a share of the windfall, too.
Shareholder Capitalism Is Back
The virtue economy, the only bubble I have ever called, has now completely burst.
European Defense Stocks Go Parabolic as War Spending Surges
The U.S. has poured more than $120 billion into Ukraine since its war with Russia began three years ago, but with a new administration in Washington, that support is grinding to a halt.
6 Reasons to Consider Frontier Markets Debt
Opportunities have increased significantly in frontier markets debt as more countries have made a conscious effort to open their capital markets to international investors and currencies have become more fairly valued.
President McKinley’s Tariff Mishap Could Be a Warning Sign for Trump’s Trade War
More than a century ago, then-Representative William McKinley pursued an aggressive tariff strategy that sought to protect American industry and reduce reliance on foreign imports. The McKinley Tariff Act of 1890 raised import duties to an average of 50%, one of the highest levels in U.S. history.
Outcome Bonds: Seeing the Wood for the Trees on Greenwashing Risk
Measuring the effectiveness of ESG-labeled bonds can be a challenge, particularly with “outcome bonds,” which have specific environmental or social goals but lack standardized assessment criteria.
Bond Ladders: Unlocking Direct Indexing Opportunities in Fixed Income
The managed account industry has seen tremendous growth and client adoption, with assets increasing by 28% over the last year and 50% over the past two years.
In Sickness and in Wealth: A Closer Look at Executive Pay in Healthcare
Our research suggests that healthcare firms with sound pay practices may yield healthier returns.
Banks Pull Debt Deals as Investors Push Back on Aggressive Terms
Banks have pulled a handful of US leveraged loans from the market this month, as investors are pushing back on aggressive pricing and credits with less favorable ratings, even though demand is outweighing the overall supply of deals.
Global Equity Team Outlook 2025: Has U.S. Exceptionalism Peaked?
Global equities ended 2024 on a strong note, driven by the continued dominance of U.S. equities, which were propelled even higher by the reelection of President Donald Trump.
The Return of Steel and Aluminum Tariffs
U.S. dependence on metal imports could prove costly.
California Wildfires: Municipal Bond Investors Can Make a Difference
Impact investors can help devastated communities recover and build resilience.
Trump 2.0: The Deregulation Agenda – No New Rules?
Deregulation is among President Donald Trump’s most enduring policy themes. In his 2016 campaign, he called for widespread deregulation and made it a central plank in both his economic and energy platforms.
The End of the Neoliberal Era
I recently read three very different books which were published in the last three years, all of them speaking to the problems created by the neoliberal order that has been in the ascendancy since the late ’70s but has faltered of late. The solutions that these books offer are, respectively: tweaking; evolution; and revolution.
Embracing Stock Market Stoicism
Stock market stoicism isn’t just philosophy – it’s a practical approach to investing where we focus on what we can control (research quality, disciplined decisions, and our reactions) while accepting what we can’t (market whims and short-term sentiment shifts).
Trump Starts Reshaping US Energy With Focus on Oil and Gas
President Donald Trump launched a sweeping overhaul of US energy policy hours after taking office Monday, putting the weight of the federal government behind fossil-fuel production and pulling back from the fight against climate change.
Periodic Table of Commodity Returns Revels Winners and Losers for 2024
At the start of every year, we publish our popular Periodic Table of Commodity Returns, an interactive infographic of the gains and losses across the commodities market.
Titans of Tomorrow: Quantum Computing and Robotics on the Brink of Revolution
In 2025, two titans of technology stand at the forefront of innovation: quantum computing and robotics. Each offers a vision of a future transformed, where the impossible becomes achievable and industries are redefined.
Direct Indexing: An Easy Way to Tax-Loss Harvest All Year Round
There are a few things it makes sense to get a start on when a new year begins. One is tax-loss harvesting.
Assessing the Potential Impact of California’s Wildfires on Municipal Bonds
Natural disasters test—but don’t break—municipalities’ resilience.
Why More Asset Managers Are Outsourcing or Co-sourcing Trading
Outsourced trading is a growing trend among asset managers, with recent headlines illustrating how firms are reassessing their approach to how trading fits in their broader strategic plans.
The Top 10 U.S. Aerospace and Defense Contractors
The aerospace and defense industry plays a pivotal role in both national security and the stock market. With U.S. defense spending leading the world, the largest contractors are well-positioned for growth amid rising global tensions.
Biden Bars Offshore Oil Drilling in US Atlantic and Pacific
President Joe Biden is indefinitely blocking offshore oil and gas development in more than 625 million acres of US coastal waters, warning that drilling there is simply “not worth the risks” and “unnecessary” to meet the nation’s energy needs.
European Fixed-Income Outlook 2025: Adversity, Uncertainty, Opportunity
European bond markets are climbing a mountain of worry. Despite the risks, history suggests a positive outcome.
Fixed-Income Outlook 2025: Fertile Ground
Continued volatility, falling yields, and other expectations for the year ahead, plus seven strategies to take advantage.
Muni Bonds in a New Interest Rate Regime
Fixed income is top of mind as investors look to a new interest rate regime. Sylvia Yeh dives into the outlook for 2025.
For Emerging Markets, ‘Better Luck Next Year’ Is a Hard Sell
Emerging markets-focused investors have had little to celebrate over the past year.
Hedge Funds Cut Nuclear Technology Exposure After ‘Hard’ Rally
Some hedge fund managers are sounding the alarm on overvalued nuclear power stocks and scaling back exposure after a stunning rally this year.
Financial Resolutions for 2025
Start the new year right by reviewing and revamping your financial plan.
Twin Boom-and-Bust Hits $10 Trillion ETF Industry in Overdrive
The $10.4 trillion US exchange-traded fund industry’s blockbuster year comes with an asterisk: even amid record inflows and launches, funds are shuttering at a nearly unprecedented clip.
Sector Views: Monthly Stock Sector Outlook
Our outlook on the 11 S&P 500 equity sectors.
Santa’s Gift to the Stock Market
The odds are good that Santa won’t disappoint in 2024. Here’s the history of the past 99 Decembers, compared to the other months.
The US Can’t Manufacture Its Way to a Thriving Middle Class
he economic-policy consensus that prevails in the US is right about one thing.
ESG Is in Its Flop Era
As a concept, environmentally responsible investing is in its flop era. Right-wing backlash has turned “ESG” into a four-letter word in terrified corporate boardrooms.
Bitcoin’s Rise to $100,000 Signals Global Adoption Shift
Just a few short years (months?) ago, few would have believed it possible. But it happened: Bitcoin has traded above $100,000 for the first time ever.
BlackRock’s Big Bet on GIP Puts Fink’s Firm in Local Spotlight
In the port city of Duluth, Minnesota, local activists and Washington-based groups are coalescing to scrutinize — and possibly stall — a $6.2 billion acquisition of a power utility led by Global Infrastructure Partners.
A More Dynamic Playing Field for Equity Investors
In their 2025 outlook, Head of Americas Equities Marc Pinto and Head of EMEA and Asia Pacific Equities Lucas Klein say a changing macroeconomic backdrop could create new pockets of leadership in global equity markets.
In Sickness and in Wealth: A Closer Look at Executive Pay in Healthcare
Our research suggests that healthcare firms with sound pay practices may yield healthier returns.
Enron 2.0 — So Bad It’s Good?
It’s the anniversary of the first-ever controlled nuclear fission chain reaction. And it’s the day that Enron filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2001.
How to Create a Personalized Portfolio with Direct Indexing
When it comes to personalized investment strategies, multiple perspectives come into play: the client, the provider and the advisor.
Human Rights and Portfolio Risk: Why Investors Should Think Big
With human rights regulations expanding, investors need a broader approach to assessing risk and opportunity.
Stocks Versus Bonds Dilemma Hits EM Traders as Trump Returns
Investors are scrambling to decide if Donald Trump’s impending return to the White House will sustain or derail the rally in emerging-market bonds witnessed under Joe Biden.
Beyond the Trump Trade: US Equity Investing in a New Policy Era
Policy changes could reshape return potential for companies across the US market. Here’s how investors can start thinking about the challenges ahead.
Financial Giant Charts a Differentiated Course in Active ETFs
VettaFi spoke recently with Nate Williams, a vice president and ETF specialist with Franklin Templeton, about the growth of its ETF business.
Trump Should Bring On a Great American Housing Boom
Most Americans, from both parties, say the government needs to increase the supply of affordable housing. For President-elect Donald Trump, that should offer a good opportunity to summon his instincts for development — and self-promotion — to get America building again. Call it the “Trump Building Boom.”
Green Energy Transition Opens ESG Opportunities in Bonds
The global transition to clean energy should open opportunities for fixed income investors in bond funds that focus on the ESG theme.
How Trump’s Second Term Could Impact Defense and Cybersecurity Spending
With President-elect Donald Trump set to assume office in January, the U.S. military and cybersecurity sectors could experience sweeping changes, creating opportunities for investors who recognize the long-term growth potential in defense and technology.
Resist Short-Term Temptations
Your fixed income strategy does not necessarily need to be adjusted based on every personnel or environmental change.
Modernizing Retirement Plans With Alternative Investments
Change is on the horizon for hard working Americans saving for their future, as 401(k) plans are now embracing private market investments. Savers may soon have access to opportunities previously reserved for institutional investors.
Election & ETFs
VettaFi’s Todd Rosenbluth explains how the election could impact specific ETF categories and the industry overall. Baird’s Rich Lee also discusses the election’s implications for ETFs and talks market concentration risk, active ETFs, buffer products, crypto, and what to watch for in 2025.
Quick View: A Win for Republicans Boosts US Stocks
Marc Pinto, Head of Americas Equities, and Lucas Klein, Head of EMEA and Asia Pacific Equities, say a surprisingly straightforward U.S. election could provide additional momentum to U.S. stocks through the end of 2024. But it remains to be seen how policy will impact future earnings—the real driver of long-term returns.
Greenwashing Focus Not Indictment of ESG Investing
Over the past few years, investors and regulators have increased scrutiny of greenwashing.
Empowering Change: The Role of Social Bonds in Promoting Gender Equality
Franklin Templeton Fixed Income believes investing in companies promoting gender equality and diversity can lead to inclusivity and strong financial returns. Despite the persistent gender gap, there's an increase in women in leadership roles, positively impacting financial performance, corporate governance and crisis resilience.
How Direct Indexing Can Help Offset Taxes on a Future Financial Windfall
With Direct Indexing, you can help your clients prepare for life-changing transactions and minimize capital gains taxes by selectively harvesting losses to offset those gains, and implementing tax-efficient trading strategies.
Lower Forward Returns Are A High Probability Event
I was emailed several times about a recent Morningstar article about J.P. Morgan’s warning of lower forward returns over the next decade. That was followed up by numerous emails about Goldman Sachs’ recent warnings of 3% annualized returns over the next decade.
As Climate Change Gets Hyperphysical, Investors Should Too
Integrating the physical toll of climate change helps investors spot key risks—and opportunities.
JPMorgan Sees Fear Receding in a $1.8 Trillion Loans Market
In a corner of the credit market that regulators last year characterized as a potential hot-bed of greenwashing, there are signs that bankers have been cracking down on corporate pitches.
Beyond ESG: Social Justice Investing
Join the experts at Adasina Social Capital for a free educational webcast that explores a social justice investing strategy that could boost your portfolio and help bring more equity into the world.
Seasonality: Buy Signal And Investing Outcomes
Seasonality has long influenced stock market trends, offering insights into predictable cycles of strength and weakness throughout the year. Yale Hirsch, the creator of the Stock Trader’s Almanac, is one of the most well-known contributors to studying these patterns.
Haven’t Worked at the Same Place for 10 Years? Join the Club
Been with the same employer for 10 years or more? That doesn’t exactly make you a rarity in the US, where 30.2% of employed wage and salary workers were in that situation as of January 2024, according to data released last month by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. And while this percentage is down from a decade ago, it’s close to where things stood for the much of the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s.
Broken China
We don’t talk about China enough. I suspect this is for several reasons. First, because the country is so incomprehensibly big and populous. Second, it has been an economic miracle. Many Chinese enthusiasts just see a straight line projection of their growth. To the moon, Alice!
The Inflation Struggle Is Over. Just Don’t Tell Anyone
Even with inflation well and truly on the way down after the most aggressive interest-rate tightening in a generation, central banks are averse to declarations of victory. That the pace of price increases has been reined in without a major economic downturn is an accomplishment that warrants some trumpeting.
Why Manager Selection Is Critical for Private Equity Investing
Advisors and their clients who seek to take advantage of the potential rewards of private equity investing should understand the performance dispersion between top- and bottom-performing managers, a factor that heightens both the risk and opportunity. Since private equity investments are designed to be long-term investments where capital can be locked up for years, getting the manager selection wrong can be a vexing obstacle to success.
Memory Inflation Warps Bond Yields
Memory inflation of past events amplifies one's emotions and behaviors. As I will discuss, I believe that distress from recent price inflation is causing many investors to overly fear that a similar situation will reoccur.
The Intelligent Investor Is Still Worth Reading 75 Years Later
When Warren Buffett calls a book on investing “by far the best book about investing ever written,” it is common sense to concede the point.
How a $33 Billion Fund Manager Scored a Perfect Record Betting on Value
To those who argue that value investing has gotten too hard in today’s momentum-chasing, passive-driven world, Scott McBride’s results are a bit of a conundrum.
AI’s Effect on the US Economy Will Be Wildly Uneven
One of the only things growing faster than progress in AI applications is speculation about AI’s effect on the economy. I don’t have all the answers, not by a long shot, but I do think we should expect great unevenness in adaptation, and that itself will alter our world.
Navigating the Tight Policy, Loose Liquidity Paradox
The Federal Reserve's dual mandate is to maintain stable inflation and maximize employment. The Fed manages liquidity through its policy tools, but it's crucial to remember that the Fed is just one source of liquidity among several. In this quick insight, Dan Suzuki examines why tight Fed policy doesn't always equate to tight liquidity and looks into the historical data on Fed cuts.
Inflation Mathematics
Two major labor unions, the Dock Workers Union and the Boeing Machinists Union, have attempted to reach an agreement with their employers on a contract. The dock workers agreement proposes an average 8.5% per year wage increase over six years, and the Boeing Machinists Union’s proposal is for an average 7.5% wage increase over four years.
Hundreds of ESG Funds Are Being Wound Down, Morningstar Says
Asset managers in Europe and the US have spent 2024 winding down hundreds of ESG funds, as the investment strategy continues to bump up against regulatory headwinds.
US Hospitals Are Hanging by a Thread
As Steward Health Care Systems LLC’s network of hospitals was struggling, it stopped paying some of its vendors. One of those vendors was a supplier of bereavement boxes, the tiny cases used to transport the remains of newborns who don’t survive.