20 Top Whitepapers from August 2019
Popular and Trending Papers from August 2019
Savvy Investor's list of 20 top papers for the month of August draws together several themes, including asset allocation and diversification, passive investing, endowment investing, and country risk assessment. All 20 papers may not be visible to some site members due to geographic restrictions on the included papers.
What to Look for on the Road to ESG (Intech, 2019)
For compliance reasons, this paper is only accessible in certain geographies
Intech introduces a framework that is goals-based for ESG investors, and also discusses the things to consider when evaluating ESG managers and their performance.
The Survivability of the Euro, Part I (Invesco)
For compliance reasons, this paper is only accessible in certain geographies
Jacek Rostowski and Arnab Das present the second paper of a series that seeks to address pressing issues surrounding the euro, the eurozone, and the European Union.
Calvert Responsible Index Series Reconstitution Report (Eaton Vance, Aug 2019)
For compliance reasons, this paper is only accessible in the United States and Canada
This report is a summary of updates to Calvert's Responsible Index Series that were made in June of this year. These five indices offer exposure to companies in multiple sectors that meet the Calvert Principles for Responsible Investment.
Reducing the cost and complexity of supporting alternatives (SimCorp, 2019)
Institutional, multi-asset investors that utilise alternatives often must navigate issues with transparency, costs, and achieving the right risk/return balance. SimCorp illustrates several problems with a 'traditional' approach to alternatives management and what can be done to combat these concerns.
Seeking a sustainable retirement income with liability-driven investing (Manulife IM, Jul 2019)
For compliance reasons, this paper is only accessible in the EMEA region
Liability-driven investing practices can be effective for individuals as well, especially those considering their own retirement adequacy and the income that they need to generate during retirement.
The impact of ESG momentum on valuations (Lyxor ETF, 2019)
For compliance reasons, this paper is only accessible in the UK & Europe
Alongside the ascent of ESG investing, many investors are now more willing to pursue responsible investments, without believing that they are sacrificing returns in the process.
As the yield curve inverts, will the U.S. see negative interest rates? (Capital Group blog, Aug 2019)
For compliance reasons, this paper is only accessible in the UK & Europe
Given the recent US treasury yield curve inversion, Capital Group discusses recession risk in the United States, inflation, and fixed income markets.
Video: Securitized Credit: An Alternative Way of Lending (PGIM Fixed Income, 2019)
This 4 minute, educational video from PGIM Fixed Income reveals that securitized credit is easier to understand than you may think, and offers a useful alternative form of diversification within a fixed income portfolio.
Passive Investing 2019: The rise of stewardship (CREATE-Research/DWS)
CREATE-Research (sponsored by DWS) produced this report, which summarizes a survey of institutional investors on the topic of passive investment. Two thirds of respondents to the survey consider passive index investing to be a mature portion of their portfolios.
Value stocks, equity diversification, China: Some questions (Wellington, Aug 2019)
Wellington Multi-Asset Strategist Adam Berger shares his thoughts on value stocks and equity diversification internationally, also asking how China A-shares fit into an EM portfolio.
The Global Ramifications of a China Debt Crisis (Moody's, Aug 2019)
Is a hard landing in China still a possibility? Moody's analysts weigh in, considering the ripple effects of a debt crisis in China for SE Asia and other EM markets.
University Endowments: A Primer (CFA Institute Research Foundation, 2019)
Some endowments are more progressive institutional investors, and have outperformed other investors as a result. What lessons can be learned from endowment asset management practices?
Integrating Low-Carbon and Factor Strategies in Asia (S&P Dow Jones Indices, 2019)
This paper looks at the impact of low-carbon screening on market-cap-weighted portfolios and factor portfolios across seven Asian markets.
ETFs: Rising on the Indexing Tide (iShares, 2019)
For compliance reasons, this paper is only accessible in the United States
The movement of assets from active management to index strategies has been one of the biggest drivers of ETF demand over the past decade. Morningstar also states that index strategies may overtake active management sometime in 2019.
Rehabilitation of the European Structured Finance Market (BNP Paribas AM, Jul 2019)
European ABS may be appealing to investors at present, considering the market's evolution from both a regulatory and a strategic standpoint.
Country Risk: A Mid-Year 2019 Update (Aswath Damodaran)
In this post, Aswath Damodaran examines country risk through many lenses, but with the end game of being able to incorporate it into decision making both for investors and businesses.
How hedge funds and investors continue to strike the right note in aligning their interests (AIMA, 2019)
AIMA provides updates on hedge fund fee structures and ways that hedge funds are creating new approaches in order to work together with investors.
Strategic Asset Allocation: Determining the Optimal Portfolio with Ten Asset Classes (revised May 2019)
As a recently amended version of an older paper, this study explores what constitutes an optimal strategic allocation within a portfolio with fewer asset class restraints.
Investment Consultants and ESG: An Asset Owner Guide (UN PRI, 2019)
This document serves as a guide for asset owners, showing them how to ensure that the investment consultants that they hire are well-aligned with their own responsible investment objectives.
The Keys to Private Equity Portfolio Assessment (Callan, 2019)
In this paper, Callan discusses what institutional investors need to look at in order to properly evaluate the performance of private equity managers.
