Author: Anu Heda

Best Blogs of the Week

Posted by Anu Heda on Jun 23, 2014, in Best Blogs of the Week , tagged with , , , ,

Tremendous amount of discussion this week related to fixed income and thus that topic dominates. Overall, a good week for industry posts.

  • Columbia – Thought-out analysis on muni bonds
  • MFS – Only post relating economic issues to the current situation in Iraq
  • Natixis – Great introduction to bank loan products; worthy for any FA to consider (or reconsider) a product group
  • Russell – You know I enjoy myth busting and this post takes volatility head-on.
  • Wells Fargo –  A framework to analyze if high yield is overvalue

 

 

Best Blogs of the Week

Posted by Anu Heda on Jun 17, 2014, in Best Blogs of the Week , tagged with ,

We’re a week behind and looked at the last two weeks. And in reviewing all the posts, we found two excellent posts.

  • Oppenheimer – A straightforward post with an optimistic view of the global economy and the related net impacts.
  • Wells Fargo – A helpful post reiterating (more effectively than most) the impact from volatility on the equity markets.

 

Liquid Alts – a category too broad?

Posted by Anu Heda on Jun 03, 2014, in Thoughts , tagged with

In recent conversations, clients are referring to liquid alts more than  ever. The term is mentioned so casually yet includes many, differing strategies. An article in today’s Wall Street Journal (link; subscription required) reminded me of how different these strategies can be. The article mentions the numerous strategies covered by alternatives and how vastly different performance and uptake has been. The article made me think of fixed income as a fitting corollary. Whether meeting with a Marketer at an asset manager or interviewing an FA, rarely does someone refer to “fixed income.” Much more often we discuss “unconstrained,” “short duration,” or “emerging market corporate.”

As the category matures, I’m betting we’ll hear folks discuss “managed futures” or “broad equity market neutral” alts more often.

Best Blogs of the Week

Posted by Anu Heda on Jun 02, 2014, in Best Blogs of the Week , tagged with

Only one post this week and it’s in the education vein. BlackRock posted an excellent summary of unconstrained investing. Many asset managers have this strategies in mutual funds now; often with the word “strategic” in the name. This post (with some interactivity!) shares the underlying basics needed before considering a move into this strategy.

Best Blogs of the Week

Posted by Anu Heda on May 26, 2014, in Best Blogs of the Week , tagged with , ,

Three posts from the last two weeks.

  • BlackRock – I think there’s considerable value in dispelled conventional wisdom. The advisor can share the insight to corroborate his/her perspective and this post attacks three very commonly held beliefs.
  • Natixis – Nice checklist approach to provide input on the second half of 2013.
  • Neuberger Berman – Check-in on global correlations that is a helpful data point and useful chart for international equity investors.