Most Recent Articles
An Attack on Paul Krugman by Michael Edesess
A foundational principle of modern economics is that the creation of credit leads to economic growth. That precept underlies need for quantitative easing, and it is central to the question of what role monetary policy can and should play in stimulating a faster recovery from the Great Recession. It is also the subject of a debate between one of the world's most prominent economic scholars, Paul Krugman, and a feisty Australian economist, Steve Keen.
Most Recent Commentaries
On Corruption by Bill Mann of Motley Fool
Several large countries have little or no presence in our portfolios that have international mandates. A major reason for this is our fear of corruption in those markets. Our heightened concerns about the treatment of foreign capital in Argentina, for example, convinced us that we should greatly reduce our exposure to companies generating large amounts of revenue there.
Closed-End Funds April 2012 Review and Outlook by Team of Cohen & Steers
Given various risks to the domestic and global economies and generally modest inflation, monetary policy in the US will remain accommodative. With borrowing rates likely to remain low for an extended period, the yield advantage of leveraged closed-end funds will continue to draw investor interest. As a result, we see potential for the broad closed-end fund market to maintain historically narrow discounts, or even at times trade at premiums to NAV.
Preferred Securities Review & Outlook for April 2012 by Team of Cohen & Steers
Barring meaningful erosion in the economic backdrop, preferreds can continue to deliver attractive total returns due to generally improving credit fundamentals and historically wide credit spreads. In addition, favorable technicals should continue to support the asset class, as investor appetite for income is likely to remain strong and the overall size of the market could shrink as banks retire issues that may lose Tier 1 capital status. Preferreds offer an average yield close to 7%, which is significantly higher than other investment-grade alternatives such as corporate bonds and Treasurys.
U.S. Large Cap Value Investment Commentary As of April 30, 2012 by Team of Cohen & Steers
The economic expansion is likely to continue, but at a pace that is modest both in absolute terms and relative to previous recoveries. Many stocks are still attractively valued, in our view, and they have the potential to advance in the coming months. At the same time we are watchful of global economic developments, particularly in Europe and the Middle East. A winding down of monetary stimulus (such as the Federal Reserves Operation Twist program) could create headwinds.
International Real Estate Securities April 2012 Review and Outlook by Team of Cohen & Steers
European economic challenges keep us focused on high-quality names. Policy easing trends likely to benefit Asia Pacific.
Global Listed Infrastructure Investment Review and Outlook April 2012 by Team of Cohen & Steers
The predictable income, modest volatility and long-term growth potential of infrastructure securities continue to offer an attractive combination in the present market environment. We remain focused on subsectors we believe offer attractive relative valuations and compelling growth dynamics, such as pipelines, water and communications infrastructure. We are significantly underweight electric utilities given continued sector-specific fundamental and regulatory risks.
Global Real Estate Securities April 2012 Review and Outlook by Team of Cohen & Steers
North America fundamentals are on a slow but positive trajectory. European economic challenges keep us focused on high-quality names. Policy easing trends likely to benefit Asia Pacific.
European Real Estate Securities April 2012 Reivew & Outlook by Team of Cohen & Steers
Valuations for many listed real estate companies have reached levels that are likely too low on a relative basis. We continue to closely monitor macroeconomic developments, and remain focused on companies that we think are best positioned to shield themselves from the adverse effects of deleveraging. Specifically, we generally favor high-quality companies with strong balance sheets and relatively low cash flow multiples. We continue to like London offices and the Berlin residential market.
Dividends: A Timeless Component of Equity Return by Loomis Sayles & Company, L.P.
With interest rates at historic lows and many dividend-paying stocks boasting yields comparable to or higher than US Treasurys, it is no wonder that dividends have recently been at the forefront of many investors' minds. But dividends have a long history as a significant component of total return, and today's buzz is just the most recent chapter.
Lacy Hunt on Debt, Austerity and Recovery by Robert Huebscher
Global economies are experiencing unsustainable debt disequilibrium, according to Lacy Hunt. Economic textbooks preach that equilibrium, rather than transition, should be the predominant condition. But our attempts to reduce our indebtedness by taking on more and less productive debt are weakening our economy and creating unstable conditions.
James Montier on the Failures of Modern Finance by Robert Huebscher
The seeds of the next crisis have already been sown, according to James Montier - and they are fundamental flaws buried deep within the current theory and practice of finance. Bad models were the root of the financial crisis, Montier said, and a slew of behavioral biases are reinforcing financial instability.
Optimizing Social Security Benefits by Wade Pfau
My dissertation was about Social Security reform, so I've read more of the Social Security Handbook than any human being should be forced to digest. Despite this background, William Reichenstein and William Meyer's new book, Social Security Strategies: How to Optimize Benefits, taught me a lot about how to strategize to get the most out of Social Security.
Ponzi's Children by Michael Lewitt
Europe, whose economic condition is nothing less than terminal, is about to receive what physicians refer to as a 'zetz' of morphine in the form of M. Hollande. A 'zetz' is the final dose that doctors give to dying patients to hasten their passage to the afterlife. In Europe's case, however, the medicine is not going to be painless, and its administration is not based on mercy but on resentment and stupidity.
The Surprising Way to Deepen Client Relationships by Dan Richards
Among the countless ways advisors have attempted to increase client loyalty, I've found a simple approach that deepens relationships.
Letter to the Editor by Various
A reader responds to Justin Locke's article, Why the Best Conductors Sent Us Home Early, which appeared last week.