In Conversation...

The What, Why and How of active ESG integration

David Sheasby, Head of Stewardship & ESG at Martin Currie, discusses the merits of integrating environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors into investment decisions.

Central Bank Watch

The Great Unwind Begins

The U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) left its target rate unchanged, as was widely expected. But the bigger news is the beginning, in October, of the Great Balance Sheet Unwind, as the Fed moves toward policy normalization. Read on for insights from our Portfolio Managers:

ESG: Driving Better Investment Outcomes

CEO and CO-CIO Chris Clark and Director of Risk Management Gunjan Banati discuss the significance of incorporating Environmental, Social, and Governance Factors into Royce's investment process.

Above the Noise

EM and the Fintech Edge

Buzzwords tend to fizzle out as quickly as they come into fashion. But one concept has gained significant importance for emerging markets (EM) in recent years.

Above The Noise

Days numbered for the internal combustion engine?

Technological progress and broader pressure to deal with pollution – climate change – are rapidly conspiring against the internal combustion engine (ICE).

Municipal Market Update: August

Western Asset examines recent trends in the muni bond market and provides its outlook about conditions ahead.

Has the Phillips Curve Flattened?

Is the Fed's action the final nail in the coffin for the Phillips Curve, the model that describes the relationship between rates of unemployment and rates of inflation in an economy? We are not quite ready to throw in the towel on this theory.

Income

Time to switch gears?

After a decade of easy money meeting the cost of living has become increasingly challenging as yields on traditional income-generating assets have fallen and inflation has picked up. Investors have increasingly had to take on more risk to get less return. However, as the environment begins to shift, bringing with it the prospect of increased volatility and inflation, the role of income-generating assets will become increasingly important.

Flooding in Texas: The Impact on Insurers

Though severe enough to impact earnings, the flooding in Texas is unlikely to hurt property & casualty insurers badly enough to force rates higher.

Around the Curve

A Yen for the yen?

Japan has been pumping out some relatively spectacular growth numbers this year. Yet, the modest upward trajectory of the yen has been underwhelming. What’s the story? And is this growth a flash in the pan or a whiff of something different coming out of Japan?

Tomorrow's inflation: The market's verdict

In today's financial markets, all eyes are on the Federal Reserve, and the pace of its decisions about its target interest rates.

The Case for Active in International Small-Caps

International small-caps have attractive attributes and active managers are well positioned to uncover the best that this underutilized asset class has to offer.