Have you ever wondered whether your portfolio was optimally allocated or not? Or, in other words, do you ever sit back and think: “is there a better way I could have invested my portfolio over the last 20 years?” With the benefit of hindsight, we know that there is almost always a “better way” we could have invested. But unfortunately we do not have the benefit of hindsight with investing! We can only take the information we have available and make what we think are the best decisions possible for our long-term goals. [+] Read More

How Policy and Politics Shape the Global Outlook for 2017 As the dust settles from the U.S. presidential election, what might investors expect in the coming year? New U.S. leadership working with a Republican-unified Congress likely will have a meaningful impact on U.S. investment values, especially if legislation involving infrastructure spending, repatriation of U.S. corporate foreign cash, and tax reform become early priorities in 2017. Just as influential will be macro factors that weigh on global growth and interest rates. The uncertainties of the “Brexit” process, as the United Kingdom negotiates its separation from the European Union (EU), the related tilt toward protectionism in many nations, the pursuit of currency weakness by major non-U.S. economies, and continued “lower for longer” interest-rate policy should combine to support interest in U.S. investments. Differences between the U.S. economy and many advanced economies with regard to monetary policy, currency movement, and economic growth may define investor preferences among many asset classes in 2017. Here, we survey what 2017 may bring for major global economies—and key U.S. investment categories. Read on for a summary of their analysis, or view the entire document here. [+] Read More

Donald Trump’s unexpected election win points to uncertainty ahead. Donald Trump’s unexpected election victory brings market and policy uncertainty in the short run. Trump’s agenda lacks detail and departs from the Republican Party tradition on trade, security and entitlements. Tapping into a backlash against the Washington status quo, he has often appeared at war with his own party and has surrounded himself with less-known advisors. We expect an initial sell-off in risk assets and flight to perceived safe havens. We see emerging markets as particularly vulnerable due to their reliance on exports and investor sentiment. We expect steeper yield curves and see health care stocks outperforming due to likely reduced regulation under Trump. Read on for an excerpt of Blackrock Investment Institute's commentary, or view the entire document here. [+] Read More

There are thousands of money managers out there. If you’re trying to figure out which one (or ones) is right for you to help you reach your investment goals, you may feel overwhelmed by all the options. Where do you begin researching and what criteria do you consider? We’d like to help. Each quarter, WrapManager’s Investment Policy Committee (IPC) compiles a list of top money manager picks in order to help investors discover and evaluate money manager strategies. These encompass a wide range of asset classes and investment disciplines. [+] Read More

Unusually consequential election challenges the post-crisis status quo. The 2016 U.S. election campaign has been unique in many ways, but the underlying dynamics are not. These are partly driven by widening income inequality across the world, in our view, a trend that has accelerated after the financial crisis and subsequent policy responses. Related is a growing perception that the benefits of trade and globalization have only accrued to a few. Whoever moves into the White House will have to address these issues, and we could see fiscal expansion directed at improving infrastructure and measures aimed at redistributing prosperity. We expect similar themes and outcomes to play out in key European elections next year. Read on for an excerpt of Blackrock Investment Institute's commentary, or view the entire document here. [+] Read More

With 2016’s all-important final quarter at the doorstep and third quarter data continuing to trickle in, hopes for a sharp second-half rebound have begun to fade.The Atlanta Fed’s closely watched GDP Now forecast for growth in the July-September quarter ended September at 2.4%, well below the 3.5% estimate at the end of August. At the same time, no one is seriously talking recession, just more of the same: muddling along while awaiting the key event of the year: the presidential and congressional elections. [+] Read More

JP Morgan Quarterly Guide to the Markets JP Morgan’s Guide to the Markets for the fourth quarter of 2016 is now available. This comprehensive guide includes pages of charts to illustrate the latest information about equities, investing opportunities, fixed income yields and returns, international markets and historical asset class performance. [+] Read More

JP Morgan Assets analyzes: Why economic angst has contributed to a frustrated electorate Why our base case of de facto divided government is what ultimately matters most for markets What history tells us about market behavior before, during and after presidential elections Why either a President Trump or Clinton will likely face a recession in his/her first term, and how investors should think about their portfolios given where we are in the economic cycle Read the entire market commentary here. [+] Read More

The S&P 500 Index has correctly predicted 19 of the past 22 presidential elections and every election since 1985... Amid unprecedented political polarization, lackluster growth, persistently low interest rates, and mounting geopolitical tensions, investors are grappling with allocation decisions as what may be the most contentious presidential election in their lifetime approaches. Politics aside, the next president will be pressed to boost growth, trade, innovation, and jobs in a slow economy transformed by globalization and technology. Note: The purpose of this special report is to help investors evaluate the potential investment implications of the presidential candidates’ most salient economic policies. It is not intended to take sides but rather to shed light on how, historically, markets and sectors have performed before and after past elections, and how various interests might be affected by current proposals, which might prompt consideration of the possible investment decisions to be made. Read on for an excerpt of Lord Abbett's engaging commentary, or view the entire document here. [+] Read More