Europe Escalates Its Response to the Coronavirus Outbreak
This week, the Bank of England and the European Central Bank both announced stimulus measures aimed at responding to the growing impact of COVID-19.
Europe
Friend or Foe: Hedge Funds Versus Alternative Risk Premia (Euro Edition)
It has been a challenging time for hedge funds in recent years. Loose monetary policy has driven equity markets upwards and hurt short books. The growth of quantitatively traded funds has eroded some of the inefficiencies commonly exploited by hedge funds. This fact, coupled with the shift toward low-fee passive and alternative risk premia (ARP) products, has raised questions about the merits of hedge funds in investor portfolios. In this paper, we focus on comparing ARP versus hedge funds and investigate whether hedge funds and ARP funds are complementary or whether ARP funds are actually a viable replacement for hedge funds.
VantagePoint: Disruption, Demographics, and Decoupling
The start of a new year and a new decade is an opportune time to reflect on megatrends that will be consequential over the next ten years. In this edition of VantagePoint, we focus on three such trends and their investment implications: disruption, demographics, and decoupling.
Will Weak Economic Data in the Euro Area Undercut Its Equities?
No, we don’t think so. While euro area economic activity has weakened meaningfully, with real GDP growth falling to its lowest annual pace (1.1%) since 2013 in third quarter, strong equity returns aren’t dependent on robust economic growth. Ultimately, we continue to like the bloc as part of a risk-controlled overweight to global ex US equities funded from US equities.
Should Investors be Concerned About Central Banks’ Ability to Fight the Next Recession?
Yes. Economic growth is slowing, and governments have limited monetary and fiscal policy responses available in the event this slowdown becomes a recession. Today, investors need to weigh the investment implications of likely policy options.
Trends in European Credit
European credit investors have enjoyed significant gains in 2019 as the combination of weak economic data and central bank easing has pushed yields lower. Investors will need to be nimble to find attractive risk-adjusted returns in the months ahead.
Comparative Asset Allocation and Total Return: UK Foundations and Endowments
Our biannual report summarizes asset allocation and total investment performance for 29 of Cambridge Associates’ UK foundation and endowment clients.
With Peak Brexit Stress Seemingly Passed, Should UK Investors Boost Sterling Allocations?
No, sterling-based investors should not change their currency hedge ratios or their allocations to sterling-denominated assets based on potential Brexit outcomes.
Alternative Risk Premia: A Diversifying Option for Investors (Euro Edition)
Elevated equity market valuations and potentially rising bond yields suggest the return environment for traditional risk assets could be difficult. Faced with this challenge, institutional investors are seeking alternative sources of return. Alternative risk premia strategies—which harvest well-established risk premia and market anomalies across asset classes—may fit the bill.
Could the Equity and Bond Markets Both be Right About the Macro Outlook?
Yes. While equity and bond markets don’t often rise in tandem like they have lately, history suggests that both recent moves could be warranted if central bank stimulus successfully extends the cycle. But that is a big “if”; several moving parts cloud the macro outlook, and markets are assuming that central banks can reverse the recent economic slowdown.