Reports and investment research on ETFs and other fund vehicles, including mutual funds, UCITs and white papers on liquid alternatives. Research on liquid alts has received a lot of attention, as institutional investors and FOHFs show increasing interest in the many different types of liquid alternative mutual funds. For hedge funds, alternative UCITs provide another opportunity to expand...
their investor universe. Research on future trends in UCITs has been popular, as have papers on the use of sub-advisers for liquid alternatives. The most popular ETF research includes papers on smart beta ETFs, best practices for ETF trading, Asian ETFs and bond ETFs. Different ETF articles will appeal to different members. For asset allocators seeking to make short-term allocations to an asset class, research providing a cost comparison of futures and ETFs has received many downloads. For DC Plan Sponsors, the question "should ETFs be an investment option in DC plans?" has generated a lot of interest, whereas for Canadian plan sponsors a paper questioning the use of mutual funds in Canadian pensions has proved popular.
The 2021 Invesco Global Factor Investing Study continues Invesco's research into global factor investing, a form of investing in which securities are chosen based on attributes that have tended to offer favourable risk and return patterns over time.
Featured in the Journal of Index Investing, Intech demonstrates using MSCI Minimum Volatility indexes to aid in defensive equity strategy evaluation. Defensive equities can be a prudent allocation – especially as today’s equity markets continually reach new highs – but evaluating them against cap-weighted benchmarks can…
The 2021 Invesco Global Factor Investing Study continues Invesco's research into global factor investing, a form of investing in which securities are chosen based on attributes that have tended to offer favourable risk and return patterns over time.
State Street Global Advisors' latest research uncovers four major trends transforming fixed income portfolios, revealing what is driving institutional investors across the globe to adopt new ways of fixed income investing.
The EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) is the largest and first carbon emissions trading system in the world. In 2020 this market accounted for 88% of total value of all carbon emission trading systems globally with 8 billion emission allowances changing hands, with a market value of €201 billion.
In this edition of Risk & Reward, Invesco presents two examples of how their quantitative analysts helps achieve two goals: striving to deliver strong performance to clients while supporting the ongoing transition to sustainable energy.
In this edition of Risk & Reward, Invesco presents two examples of how their quantitative analysts help achieve two goals: striving to deliver strong performance to clients while supporting the ongoing transition to sustainable energy.
Robeco examines the performance characteristics of recently introduced thematic indices using standard asset pricing theory. They find that thematic indices generally have strong negative exposures towards the profitability and value factors, indicating that they hold growth stocks that invest now for future profitability.…
The second quarter of 2021 saw as much trading as the first, as insurance companies continued to trade ETFs actively. While trading volume was lower relative to 2020, insurance companies traded in the first half of the year almost as much as they held in their portfolios at the beginning of the year. In this report, S&P…
InstitutionalTalks is an interview series where industry thinkers share their thoughts and perspectives on a variety of market trends and themes impacting indexing. In this interview officials from MERS (Municipal Employees' Retirement System of Michigan) explain their roles and how they use passive multi-factor index…
Since its debut in April 2000, the S&P/ASX Index Series has helped to define the Australian equity market. As Australia’s most widely followed market indicator, the S&P/ASX 200 serves as the de facto measure of the value and performance of the nation’s stock market. Market peaks and valleys are defined by the level…
As late entrants to a niche dominated by active funds, thematic ETFs were sideliners in Europe until quite recently. The global pandemic has changed that. By turning our societies on their heads, it highlighted the strong potential of megatrends and themes to shape our future. Themes such as Cloud Computing, Semiconductors…
Wells Fargo AM's in-depth explanation of the debt ceiling on U.S. government debt – what it is, how it works, and what it may mean for short-term bond investors.
Flows into global gold ETFs were marginally positive in July, with inflows of 11.1 tonnes (t) (US$669mn, +0.3% AUM). Inflows into European and Asian funds were mostly offset by outflows from large North American funds. Overall, the positive flows came alongside a recovery in gold prices, particularly in the latter half of…
Custom indexing is a relatively new technology. By 2025, most financial advisers will use web-based software to create custom indexes for clients. This article from O'Shaughnessy Asset Management explains the theory behind the custom index movement.
Digital asset ETFs have outperformed tech stocks in recent years, however, they provide no exposure to cryptocurrencies and it would seem that their returns are explained by market beta and equity factors.
Investors around the world have an insatiable urge to invest in environmental, social and governance-orientated funds. Consider the numbers. Industry group Global Sustainable Investment Alliance estimates that global investment in sustainable assets rose to $35.3 trillion in 2020 from $22.8 trillion in 2016. That is an…
The authors find that expansionary shocks are associated with net inflows and that these are strongest for riskier fund types, reflecting search for yield among euro area investors. Search for yield behaviour by fund managers is also evident, as they shift away from low yielding cash assets following an expansionary shock.…
One of Warren Buffett’s famous investing rules is to win by not losing. In a 1985 PBS appearance the Oracle of Omaha said: “The first rule on an investment is don’t lose. The second rule on an investment is don’t forget the first rule. That’s all the rules there are.” As usual, Buffett’s instructions are simple, but not easy…
Right on cue with the weather starting to change in the Northeast, the market’s direction changed in September. Heading into the month, roughly 70% of the firms in the S&P 500 Index were trading above their 50-day moving average. Thirty days later, only 25% of firms are above that threshold, and the broad benchmark’s…
