The Forgotten 70%: Strategies for Pension Plans Accruing Benefits
Plans with active participants need a holistic, flexible risk budgeting approach—not a simple glide path
Research Publications Archive
Fundraising and Endowment Oversight for Public Universities
The strains on public universities require a new approach to resources, and an increasingly expertly managed endowment fund and fundraising operation are essential to that evolution
What Should Investors Make of Recent Headlines from China and Greece?
The situations in China and Greece, not to mention Puerto Rico’s debt woes, serve as a poignant reminder not to be complacent. Investors should take care that portfolios are well constructed, diversified, and consistent with their ability to absorb downside risks while meeting long-term return objectives. With risks rising in some areas, and few bargains…
Review of Market Performance: Fiscal Year 2015
Both the strengthening US dollar and decline in oil prices impacted markets in fiscal year 2015. The year also witnessed a number of reversals, namely strong performance in the second half of the year relative to the first. This brief chart book looks at returns and other market metrics for fiscal year 2015.
Will Further Market Volatility Ensue If Greece Does Not Return to the Bargaining Table?
The situation with Greece has become increasingly unpredictable and could trigger further market volatility in the weeks ahead. However, even under an adverse scenario such as a Greek exit from the Eurozone, other European assets are likely to eventually resume their decoupling from Greek assets, given firewalls in place and a more favorable economic backdrop….
Revisiting Active US Equity Management: A Cyclical Story
We are not unconditional advocates for or against active management; investors have different circumstances. However, while there are many logical rationales for favoring index over active investing, the recent performance struggle of the average active manager is not among them.
Constructing Superior Equity Portfolios
Executive Summary A common perception among investors that employ active equity management is that the “donut” structure—an all-active manager structure often composed of four or more high conviction managers—is more aggressive, more expensive, and riskier than the “core-satellite” structure—which blends active and passive management by adding a large passive core component to the donut—because of…
Introducing the Impact Investing Benchmark
While private impact investing has experienced significant growth and maturation, the field is in need of robust analysis on financial performance to help inform investor expectations. This report introduces the first Impact Investing Benchmark, which begins to address this important facet of the conversation.
The Investment Compass Points Due East: Asia’s Appeal to Emerging Markets Equity Investors
Valuations, fundamentals, and a more appealing macro picture make tilting emerging markets equity exposure toward Asia a sensible proposition.
When Should Investors Become More Enthusiastic About US Small-Cap Stocks?
Investors should become more enthusiastic about US small-cap stocks when valuations become more compelling. Small-cap valuations today are unusually rich. Our preferred composite P/E ratio indicates the Russell 2000® trades at 33.7 times normalized earnings, about 60% above fair value and in the top 2% of all historical occurrences. Short-term metrics are little more compelling;…